Trooper’s ‘breathtaking’ trip to France Dawn Service

AS a soldier who has seen the frontline in Afghanistan, cavalry Trooper James Carter could not be prouder of taking part in a Dawn Service in France.

Villers Bretonneux, France 2016, rehearsals for Anzac Day commemorations overlooking the battlefields. Pictures Charles Miranda 2nd cavalry Trooper James Carter (from Brisbane)

AS A SOLDIER who has seen a frontline and now has been handed the honour of taking part in a Dawn Service, cavalry Trooper James Carter could not be prouder.

The young veteran of Afghanistan was selected to be a member of the catafalque party for tomorrow’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service in France, to mark the centenary of Australia’s arrival onto the Great War’s European battlefields.

But while the Brisbane soldier admits to be emotional over the honour of his task, from it being his first ever trip to Europe and from being the sixth generation of military men, it’s his surrounds that overwhelm him.

“It really is breathtaking being here and seeing it all,” the Federation Guard and 2nd Cavalry armoured vehicles trooper said as he overlooked Villers Bretonneux during a break from AnzacDay rehearsals.

“I wouldn’t want to be on this hill, no way, too flat and a lot of open country.

Trooper Carter’s family has had over five generations serve in the military. Picture: Charles Miranda.

“Having family who served here and lost in the Belgium area and representing my country here is actually breathtaking but so is just being here.

“In over five generations of military I have had six family members serve overseas, except for one, and my great great grandfathers perished near the Belgium border and their names are on the wall here and it is quite special as they did come through here with their battalions and where they fought.

“But you can’t comprehend it having been in a war situation myself it is absolutely breathtaking to know they were not much younger or older than me when they were in that scenario here and a lot worse than I had it. I was in Afghanistan in 2013, I went with my job, I did my job and I was lucky to come home unlike a lot of people so I am thankful for that.”

RAAF Leading Aircraftman Ryan McColl, from Doonside in Western Sydney, was also honoured to be selected to take part in the ceremony.

“I was in East Timor last year for Anzac Day and before that in Canberra for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but this is my first time in France and it is awe inspiring to see the entire thing; I had seen photos but its magical to be here,” he said.

Originally published as Trooper’s ‘breathtaking’ trip to France Dawn Service