On Anzac Day 51 FNQR CO Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb said the battalions’ nearly 600 soldiers will honour those who went before them on country.

Soldiers serving in a Far North Queensland Battalion will be in uniform across the state as they participate in the Anzac Day ceremonies on their home country and with their local communities.

At Cape York, in the Torres Strait or on the Tablelands, all the soldiers from the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment will pause to reflect at dawn as they participate in their local community’s Anzac Day ceremony.

Commanding Officer of the 51st Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb, who took over the Porton Barracks in Cairns last December from Lieutenant Colonel Clare O’Neill, said their force, of almost 600 “will be quite decentralised,” from Porton Baracks in Cairns.

“All of our soldiers who live in their own community will be out there on Anzac Day, we will be spread to the four winds,” he said.

“The 51st Battalion will be across the Far North from Innisfail, Cairns, Yarrabah and Atherton through to Thursday Island, Massey Island and the Torres Strait to Weipa, Doomadgee, Bamaga, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, Mt Isa and Hope Vale.”

Commanding Officer of the 51st Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb and his soldiers Lance Corporal Leigh Sykes, Private Vince Smythe, Private Dave Moss and Private Mark Debono will honour the Far North's Vietnam War veterans at this year's Anzac Day services in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Lt-Colonel Schieb said the importance of Anzac Day cannot be overstated for serving and past members, no matter where in the Far North they hail from.

“Anzac Day has a special meaning for all solders no matter their cultural backgrounds,” he said.

“What is does is provide us the opportunity to reflect on those who served before us, to reflect on individuals who elected to serve and the sacrifice of defence personal over the generations who choose to defend our nation.”

Commanding Officer of the 51st Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb said many of his soldiers will be observing Anzac Day on country while Private Dave Moss, Private Mark Debono, Lance Corporal Leigh Sykes and Private Vince Smythe will honour the Far North's Vietnam War veterans at this year's services in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said the uniqueness of the 51st Battalion, which is an Australian Army Regional Force Surveillance Unit, is being able to recruit, train and deploy soldiers who possess an intimate knowledge of country and their dedication to their work which made him proud to be their commanding officer.

“We get to go out to remote communities and connect city folk with country and cross the cultural divide as their deep connection to the Far North is enduring and inspiring,” he said.

”And Anzac Day is time where we come together to remember why we serve.”

Originally published as On Anzac Day 51 FNQR CO Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb said the battalions’ nearly 600 soldiers will honour those who went before them on country.