Collie Senior High School Anzac Tour 2026
CSHS ANZAC TOUR 2026
There we were assembled outside the Collie Senior High School at 7.00 am 8th April undergoing a passport check for all personnel. Sure enough there was one missing! Nope, not guilty you honour. One of the students who, incidentally, didn’t reside in town so a mad dash back to the “homestead” to gather said document. We departed promptly at 8.00 am at breakneck speed for Perth International Airport. Well, more like impulse speed than warp drive but eventually arrived. Several hours later we de-parted, changed planes at Singapore then settled in for the long haul to Gatwick Air-port London. Next step was being transported by coach to our hotel. As it was too early to actually book in, we were able to leave our luggage in a safe area and start our wandering around London, UK.
First up was the London Museum, just around the corner from our hotel, and what a wonderful start to the tour. Incidentally, people enter at the rear doors and exit from the entrance doors (and I thought the French were weird!!). So much to see and take in but as our brains were still a bit foggy from jet-lag and lack of sleep it probably didn’t do it justice. Next, a short trip to Camden Markets where the hungry hoards were fed and then wandered the shops for some souvenirs, etc.
Following day was a formal uniform day, firstly to “THE” Tower of London with their “Beefeaters” guards (Yeomen Warders) protecting the crown jewels (no not mine), etc. And the Bearskin hats of the Grenadier Guards doing their surveillance and patrols. Even managed to spot a “Royal” car with UK flag flying but have no idea who the occupant was. Magnificent views from the parapets to London Bridge, the Thames and general scenery. Australia House was next on the agenda for an in-sight into the workings, meeting the WA Agent General, Ms Rebecca Tomkinson and then a smorgasbord lunch followed. Some of the staff then proceeded to explain their positions at the office. Shortly afterwards we wandered to the Australian War Memo-rial for a formal service and wreath laying including sounding the “last post”. A very moving ceremony. Buckingham Palace followed but didn’t see the changing of the guards as it is usually a morning event.
Saturday started quietly but Ed had secured a booking at the London Eye of which the students were unaware of so it was heck of a surprise for them when they arrived. They all had a great time. As I had been to the “Eye” previously I was pardoned for the arvo and went to catch up with my half-sisters whom I hadn’t known about until approximately 3 1/2 years ago. Had a fantastic time meeting them again along with partners, daughter & hubby, cousin’s daughter plus my sister and her daughter. High light of my UK expedition.
Sunday was no rest for the wicked. Off to National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Prime Meridian (Greenwich) finishing off at the Vaudeville Theatre for an evening show of SIX, a renowned pop musical about Henry Vlll and his six wives. Seating there was very cramped, designed for height challenged people.
Monday was spent mostly at the magnificent structure and gardens of Westminster Abbey. Absolutely tremendous arches and brilliant stained glass windows. It has over 3000 people buried there and includes the Unknown Warrior who died on the West-ern Front. A game of Monopoly Challenge filled in the afternoon with lots of fun and competitiveness. I was on the the fourth placed team who had the excuse of being hampered in their endeavours by some RSL “old fart”.
Off to Gay Paree via Eurostar and the “chunnel” and no time to hang around once there as it was organised for a quick trip to tour the Arc De Triomphe before closing.
But...a fire along part of the train route not only slowed the train down, we also came to a complete stop for a short while so the “Arc” tour didn’t eventuate. However,as we were booked in to a restaurant not far from there, we were able to witness the Eif-fel Tower in its evening display of flashing lights and returned after our meal to see the “Tower” showing off its nighttime glory of amber lighting and, of course, many souvenirs sellers. So many vendors selling the same products !!
The Pantheon, with its giant 24 hour pendulum clock then Notre Dame Cathedral, followed next day. Both stunning structures. Also... we managed to visit the Arc De Triomphe and performed a ceremonial tribute there to fallen soldiers. At lunch time I ate a French delicacy of escargots. Very delicious. This prompted the students to sam-ple the same delicacy at dinner. Whilst most thought them edible only a couple de-voured the remainder and would have like a few more.
Catacombs of Paris! What an eerie place! Millions of human bones stacked in unused ancient mining tunnels. Not only were they lining the walls but some bones had been arranged in an urn shape approximately 2 metres high and wide. The worst part was the exit stairs, about 30 metres up in a spiral. Gave the old legs a workout!!
We also got to visit the Eiffel Tower officially, right up to the top floor. The views from there are astounding showing how sprawled out Paris is. And then to Montmarte and its piece de resistance the Basilica, a form of church. Dinner that evening was
another delicacy of tiny chicken legs!! (actually frogs legs). Another culinary
experience enjoyed by myself and a few others.
A full day at the Palace of Versailles. Absolutely marvellous and immense then add vast sprawling gardens extending over some 800 hectares. The building itself has over 2000 rooms and was once the home and hunting grounds of French Kings. Tru-ly a regal hub for France’s aristocrats with so much to behold.
Day 10 saw us heading by coach northwards to Arras in northern France via several areas of the Western Front. Places such as Morlancourt, Dernacourt, Pozieres and Thiepval to name a few where thousands of allied soldiers lost their lives in condi-tions that can only be described as “pure hell”. The worst winter on record hindered both sides with very little actual fighting taking place. It was a case of survival at the most extreme. Part of the battle of the Somme.
More touring of the Western Front visiting Bullecourt, Mont Saint-Quentin and Del-ville Wood. Memorials visited were not only Australian but Canadian and South Afri-can. Also, the Last Tree, a hornbeam tree that survived the heavy bombardment around it. Last stop for the day was at Wellington Tunnels dug by New Zealand en-gineers and housed some 24,000 soldiers taking the Germans lines by surprise attack.
The following day started with a quick trip to Villers-Bretonneux and the Australian War Memorial for a “reccy” as we would be returning to attend the ANZAC day dawn ceremony. John Monash Centre was next showcasing the events of WW1 through Australian lens. Then another couple of memorials at Adelaide Cemetery, Heath Cemetery, Le Hamel and finally Sailly-le-Sec overlooking the Somme valley
A day off, bewdy! Well sorta, with a catchup on washing and some shopping.
A “Race Around Arras” in the arvo kept everyone amused and entertained.
Hotel O in Ypres, Belgium was our next destination via a wee bit of authentic Belgian chocoholic purchases at the border.
On to more western front sites at Vimy Ridge, Fromelles, and memorials at Cobbers,VC Corner,Toronto Avenue and Lijssenthoek.
The town of Ypres? What a beautiful place. Totally destroyed during WW1 and then reconstructed and restored to its former glory. Car drivers actually stop to allow pe-destrians to cross the road, what!!!!
More memorials the following day at Langemark, Brooding Soldier, Tyne Cot, Pass-chendale. Another, Black Watch Corner, is dedicated to the famous, historic Scottish Regiment. Polygon Wood, the term “wood” is misleading as by the time the Australian troops had arrived it had been completely flattened. An early dinner then finish the day at Menin Gate to observe the ceremony for future reference.
April 24th was a relatively easy day exploring Ypres, a very early dinner then catch some shut-eye (if possible) before departing at 2345 hrs back to France.
ANZAC Day, the big day, has finally arrived and we settle in at around 3am at Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux awaiting the dawn service.
Absolutely freezing even with several layers of clothing including thermals!!
At the conclusion of the formal service came the wreath laying and what an honour.
Four students carried the wreath then passed it to myself to actually lay it while the remaining members of our group lined both sides of the walkway forming a guard of honour. A very memorable moment.
Afterwards it was into the town centre for a local civic ceremony then Bullecourt for a service at 1500hrs.
Followed by a Diggers Memorial service at 1615 then back to Ypres for the grand finale of the day.
Menin Gate, an imposing sight, with hundreds of people already lining up to witness the event at 2000hrs. Never seen some much “brass” in one area before. It was hoped to have our dedication before the main event however, it was a resounding no from the organisers. But, to their credit, they arranged for the students/adults to form a guard of honour through which all personnel lying wreaths had to pass through.
The main event proceeded with typical pomp and ceremony and seven buglers sounding the Last Post. So well in tune that it appeared only one bugle was playing.
Then came the wreath laying and what an experience for the kids as each dignitary passed. Truly a magnificent, monumental and memorable occasion for everyone.
I also felt privileged and honoured to have laid wreaths in two such highly esteemed and important locations.
Final day of the tour in Ypres for a general wander around in the markets/town and last minute shopping for souvenirs/chocolates, etc.
Monday 27th April is Au Revoir to Belgium at 0400hrs and back to France and Charles de Gaulle airport to return to the land of Oz arriving the next day around lunchtime.
So many memorable occasions and events that I can’t even begin list them all. How-ever, there is one that comes to mind which was quite funny and added some humour to the trip. Mr Ed Croft, our tour/ group leader, mentioned that he was missing doing some wood turning at home. A day or two later, an enterprising student gave Mr Croft a piece of round shaped wood and told him to hold it with both hands then roll it slowly between his fingers then inquired if it felt good. Yes it does replied Ed to which the student said, of course because you are now doing some wood turning.
Cheeky little bugger
Conclusion.....
A wonderful experience to have shared with the students.
Thanks to all the people who worked so hard doing the fund raising for the trip.
Also thanks to the Collie-Cardiff RSL for the nomination to accompany them.
One of the highlights towards the end was a couple of students inviting me to attend their graduation ceremony at the end of the year. Another unexpected but welcome surprise and I will be there.