FOR Fremantle RSL Vice President Rob Fittock, Anzac Day is a chance to keep the memory of his biggest hero alive; his father.
Mr Fittock’s family has a long history of military service; his father was a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II, his mother was in the women’s auxiliary RAAF and his grandfather fought in World War I.
He said he was also an auxiliary member as his number never came up on the ballot for the Vietnam War.
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READ NOW“My father ended up in New Guinea in late 1944 flying the dive bomber,” he said.
“ He flew all sorts of aircrafts, he did all his training at Peirce Air Base which is where he met my mother I believe.
“He put his life on the line many times-he didn’t speak a great deal about the war but he did say the closest he was to been shot was an aerial being shot off.
Mr Fittock said he would be attending the dawn service at Monument Hill and helped to organise the North Fremantle service.
“Anzac Day is one national day that you remember the people who fought and died and survived in the great wars,,” he said.
“We were under threat and we stood up to that threat but many of our forbearers died, especially in the first world war.”
He said he was driven to join the RSL to make sure veterans keep marching with their medals on Anzac Day.
“It’s not only about the camaraderie, which is very important to have a beer and a chat, it’s also about welfare, advocacy and wellbeing of the personnel,” he said.
“That’s what my part will always be, to reach out and let them know that these resources are available.
“The biggest challenge is becoming relevant to the contemporary ADF personnel, which is a huge task, and finding a suitable venue to hold events.”