Maj-Gen Hartley, who served twice in Vietnam as an infantry officer, said Anzac Day was memorable wherever he commemorated it.
“We suddenly realise how many people have been involved in serving our country over a long period and how significant it is in our history,” he said.
“About 17 years ago I went to the memorial service in Gallipoli and spoke there… that was quite memorable.”
Maj-Gen Hartley, who was twice Mentioned in Dispatches and wounded three times, said it was nice to see so many young people at the Claremont service.
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READ NOW“The children are recognising the past and they recognise the role their parents and grandparents played,” he said.
Students from Freshwater Bay Primary School, St Thomas’ Primary School and Methodist Ladies’ College laid wreaths at the service, attended by Cottesloe MLA and Premier Colin Barnett.
Claremont RSL sub-branch president Geoff McClements, who was named WA Anzac of the Year, laid a wreath on behalf of the those who served in the Navy, Army and Air Force.