Anzac Day 2022: Fighting spirit marked in Darwin

Top End Anzac Day Dawn Service told of heroism and self-sacrifice.

Linda Ford and Geoff Freeman at the Anzac Day dawn service at the Cenotaph in Darwin on Monday. Picture: Amos Aikman

When Japanese fighters attacked Australia’s northern coast during World War II, Linda Ford’s relatives used to bury their pannikins and other items so they would not catch the light, then dive into buffalo wallows to hide and shoot at the planes as they passed over.

The Rak Mak Mak Marranunggu woman’s father enlisted in Darwin, went to fight in Egypt and became one of the Rats of Tobruk.

He returned with shrapnel wounds but went on to fight in Borneo, where he saw Japanese bombers heading for his home town.

On Monday, Ms Ford joined Scott Morrison, Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles and thousands of others in marking Anzac Day at a dawn service in Darwin. This year is also the 80th anniversary of the deadly Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942.

“I get a bit choked up coming down here,” Ms Ford said.

“Also, my son-in-law-to-be served 10 years in the RAAF … I feel quite honoured that we’ve still got a lot of younger Australians that serve their country.”

Geoff Freeman’s father was also a WWII veteran. He joined at the age of 21, received basic training and was sent to New Guinea.

“He was given a double-edged pocket knife, and they said, ‘Find a rifle when you get up there’,” Mr Freeman said.

Those gathered in the steamy Top End twilight heard stories of heroism and self-sacrifice. Larra­kia man James Parfitt-Fejo said his family members had served continuously alongside other Australians since the Boer War.

“Our people have always been warriors of this land,” he said.

“Our rights, our way of life and the democracy that we live in today are because of what you’ve done and continue to do.”

Both the Prime Minister and Mr Marles referenced the Ukraine conflict and spoke of autocracy challenging hard-won freedoms.

The service was conducted at Darwin Cenotaph, near where 88 American servicemen died when the Japanese sank the USS Peary in Darwin Harbour.

At least 230 people died in the bombing of Darwin.

NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran paid tribute to a surveillance unit formed in May 1942 that was a precursor to the ­modern-day Norforce. She also commemorated Flying Officer Philip Brooks, who was shot down that same month.

After the service, air force veteran and former NT administrator and chief justice Austin Asche said Anzac Day was the “greatest day for Australia and for Australians”.

“It’s not a matter of lest we forget – we must not forget,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see so many ­people coming to the Darwin ­service. It shows Australians remember.”

Mr Asche joined the RAAF at the age of 18 in 1944 and worked as a radar operator.

Colin Heard joined the air force at the age of 18 in 1942 and served in New Guinea. On one occasion while out strafing enemy targets, he tried to pull his Kittyhawk aircraft up from an attack only to ­realise all the coolant had drained from the engine. He limped most of the 320km back to base until the engine caught fire, and he was forced to ditch into the sea.

Mr Heard attended with four generations of his family. His son Sam, grandson Adam and great-grandson Ash enjoyed being there with the Heard family patriarch.