NINE year old Busselton boy Jack Weston marched for the first time in the ANZAC Day parade on Monday proudly carrying a photograph of his great great grandfather who served in the second World War.
Born on August 19 in 1916, Jack’s great great grandfather Private Edward John Ronan was enlisted in the Australian Army at Kalamunda 25 years and eight days later.
During his five years of service, Private Ronan was captured and held as a prisoner of war for four years in Burma where he helped build the railway line.
Jack said he was really proud of his grandfather who was in the 24th machine gun squad and was really proud he could march for him on ANZAC Day.
“He was good war fighter, strong and probably fast,” he said.
Jack’s mum Lisa Weston said she used to march in the ANZAC Day parade when she was younger and it was the first time Jack had marched with his cousins.
“I think it is really important Aboriginal people receive recognition that they went and fought in the wars for their country and for our children to have freedom to live here,” she said.
“I think it is very important especially for the younger generations to know that our people did go over to the war and fight for our country.”
Ms Weston said despite her great grandfather fighting in the war for his country it angered her to know that when Private Ronan returned to Australia and wanted to have a beer in the pub with his war buddies they told him to drink out the back.
“So all his war buddies went and drank out the back with him anyway,” she said.
Private Ronan married Jack’s great great grandmother Phyllis Ronan who was from Busselton.