Brave men. Brave women.
On ANZAC Day this year, Gosford RSL will be paying tribute to not only the brave men who have served in the armed forces, but also the women.
For the first time in the club’s history, the RSL is encouraging women who served in the army, navy and air force to join the men in leading the 10am parade up Mann Street to the Gosford Cenotaph.
This comes as the efforts of women in times of war are becoming increasingly recognised.
In World War 1, 3,000 Australian women served in the Australian Army Nursing Service, and hundreds of others worked with the Australian Red Cross.
By 1940, one year into WWII, women were serving in the Women’s Transport Corps, Women’s Flying Club, Women’s Emergency Signally Corps and the Women’s Australian National Services. Only one year later, thousands of women had joined the Australian Women’s Army Service, the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force, the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service and the Australian Army Medical Women’s services.
By 1944, almost 50,000 Australian women were serving in the military, and thousands more were dedicating their time to the civilian force known as the Australian Women’s Land Army.
During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, women were continually involved as nurses, providing important support to the front line and rescued POW’s.
There are currently thousands of women serving in the military.
The Gosford march begins at 10:30am, leaving from Donnison Street. The main service begins at 11am at the Gosford Cenotaph.
Words by Kate Stevens
Image: Youtube
