102-year-old Cole Moir steals Sydney’s heart as he twirls his way through Anzac Day march
Thousands lined the streets for Sydney’s Anzac Day march on Friday, cheering on veterans like cane-twirling 102-year-old Cole Moir – the last of his battalion – who reminds us all why this day matters. See all the photos from the march.
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At 102-years-old, veteran Cole Moir would be forgiven for using his wheelchair during the Sydney Anzac Day parade - but that was not happening.
Twirling his cane and lapping up the crowd, the veteran proudly walked the entire 1.2km.
That’s what you do when you are the last remaining member of the 2nd 36th battalion, the longest serving battalion in the Second World War in Papua New Guinea and New Britain.
As he walked, he occasionally shouted words of advice to the crowd: “A whisky a day keeps the doctor away”.
The Sydney CBD march spectators couldn’t get enough of him.
It’s people like Mr Moir, defiantly still standing, that remind Anzac Day parade crowds why this day matters. He is there to inspire a younger generation, like seven-year-old Thomas and nine-year-old Emily why we must never forget.
The two siblings attended their parade with their grandmother, proudly wearing medals inherited from their family.
A beaming Thomas said he was named after his great, great grandpa who fought in Gallipoli.
“Anzac Day is important because you remember how many soldiers died.
“My great, great grandfather won about six medals. He fought in Gallipoli and he was one of the ones who survived. He climbed up the cliff and didn’t die.”
Emily said:“He won the bravery medal”.
Among those marching was 101-year-old Vincent Ball, who served in England.
Marching with proudly with a walker, he told The Saturday Telegraph he and his fellow servicemen made a vow to walk every year. Today, he is the only one left.
“I am lucky to be here,” he said. “There used to be 11 of us, we used to march every year.
“We made a pact that one of us would always march on Anzac Day to remember the others.
“They are all dead now except for me and I’m here and I will remember them.”.
At 98 - ”going on 99” - Roy Pearson is one of the younger veterans in the parade. He joined up at 17 and has words of wisdom for today’s young generation.
“You have got to fight for what you want. You have to fight because they will take it all from you if you don’t,” he said.
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