Sunday will be the third time in 73 years that Sydney Kinsman won’t be on Anzac Hill in the early morning on April 25.

The legendary local is a World War II veteran, and one of the last living ‘Rats of Tobruk’ – a nickname given to tens of thousands of soldiers who held the Libyan port of Tobruk in 1941.

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More than 50 years ago Mr Kinsman, who is on the brink of turning 100, missed an Alice Springs Anzac Day service because he was in Adelaide to take part in their march.

Last year the Alice Springs services were cancelled because of social distancing rules due to the pandemic.

While Sunday’s services will go ahead again this year, social distancing requirements mean the main event had to be moved to Alice Springs Garden Cemetery – a big disappointment to Alice Springs’ oldest veteran.

“They’ve got 30,000 at the football match in Adelaide on the weekend, surely we can have Anzac Hill as our Dawn Service and the midday service,” Mr Kinsman said, who was looking forward to returning to the traditional site this year.

“I’m very sad.”

Mr Kinsman said of all his Anzac Days, last year’s was “very memorable”.

The family participated in the ‘driveways at dawn’ movement by holding a candle and hundreds of Alice Springs residents drove past Mr Kinsman’s house to show their thanks and respect.

“So many people drove past our house who had someone to remember,” Mr Kinsman said.

“We had a bugler and a piper that turned up during the day to play and then all the trucks and cars that drove by waving made the day very special.

“Out of the bad came very good memories. We will never forget that Anzac Day.”

Another fond memory was when his two grandsons returned from their Army bases one year to be with their grandfather for the dawn service.

“At 4am I walked into the carport and there they were all dressed up in their uniforms looking as bright as buttons,” he said.

Mr Kinsman said Anzac Day for him has changed in lots of ways, but one thing always stays the same – the memory of mateship.

“You remember your mates. So much goes through your head about the job you had to do over there and losing your mates, and you even lose them after you come back home.

“On the day you feel sad but you feel happy you’ve got your family all around you, so you have a lovely day. I’m pleased all the family will be here and we will have a normal Anzac Day except for being on Anzac Hill. Maybe next year it’ll be back to normal.”

On the recent announcement of a royal commission into veteran and serving Defence personnel suicides, Mr Kinsman said it should’ve happened a long time ago.

“Some of the veterans, they just lose their way in life and they need someone to take care of them and listen to their problems.

“I’m very disappointed it’s taken so long.”

The Dawn service will be held at the Alice Springs Garden Cemetery Soldiers Memorial at 6am following a gunfire breakfast at 5.15am, followed by a shortened narch through Todd Mall to Anzac Oval, where the midmorning service will be held.

ALICE SPRINGS ANZAC DAY SERVICES

5.15am Gunfire Breakfast (Alice Springs Garden Cemetery entrance)

6am Dawn Service (Alice Springs Garden Cemetery War memorial)

7am Reunion Breakfast (Alice Springs Garden Cemetery War memorial)

9.20am Form up for the Anzac Day March in front of the Alice Springs Town Council

9.30am Anzac Day March steps off

10 Anzac Day Mid-Morning Service (Anzac Oval)

11.30am Anzac Day Reunion (Alice Springs Golf Club)