Dalby remembers its fallen Diggers, and the 25th battalion

DALBY residents were regaled in the heroic feats of those soldiers in the 25th battalion in WWII, and others who had fought and died for Australia in international conflicts.

LEST WE FORGET: Dalby residents honoured those Australia soldiers who died fighting in combat to protect their nation on Remembrance Day. Picture: Sam Turner

THE valiant efforts of Dalby's war veterans, and the brave feat of the 25th battalion in World War II were honoured at this year's Remembrance Day service.

Dalby residents gathered in Anzac Park this morning to pay their respects on the November 11 at 11am.

Between 1914 and 1918, Australia sent 414,000 of their citizens to face the horrors World War I, and by 1918, almost 62,000 Australians had died in the destruction across Europe, Turkey, Palestine and Syria.

Dalby RSL sub-branch president Graham Coles led the service, and reminded those in attendance the sacrifice of those Australian soldiers who have died in international conflicts.

The Remembrance Day service in Anzac Park, Dalby. Picture: Sam Turner

"Today we remember the 62 World War I soldiers, 64 World War II soldiers, one Korean, and one Vietnam soldier, all of them from Dalby who played the supreme sacrifice for our nation and did not return home to us," Mr Coles said.

"Their names are now emblazoned on the two memorials in this park known as Anzac Park."

Dalby State High School students paying their respects. Picture: Sam Turner

Mr Coles regaled the crowd of the brave efforts of the 25th battalion from south west Queensland, who were the first army unit to ever push the Japanese back at the Milne Bay in World War II.

"When other battalions in New Guinea heard the 25th was coming over, they were mostly country boys from Dalby, Roma, Toowoomba, and surrounding areas," he said.

"These boys were dubbed the chocolate soldiers, but after the feat of the Japanese at Milne Bay, they had to eat their own words."

Their heroic feat is stamped in the minds of Dalby residents, along with the brave efforts of all Australian soldiers in the last 110 years.

Dalby RSL secretary Garth Brownsdon, and reverend David Brown all shared special words at the service, accompanied by Dalby South State School band performing during the ceremony.

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