Gallipoli descendant proud of air force

The granddaughter of a Gallipoli soldier says she envies her daughter, who has followed in the footsteps

The granddaughter of a Gallipoli digger has watched her own daughter in the catafalque party at Sydney's Anzac Day dawn service.

Earlwood resident Rosemary Ryan told AAP she was overjoyed - and a little envious of her daughter, who was in the armed guard as a member of the Royal Australian Air Force.

"When I was that age it wasn't as common for girls to join the military," she said.

Ms Ryan's grandfather fought at Gallipoli and her father fought in the Second World War.

Her grandfather, a humble farmer from Victoria, joined the army for "God and King" but also out of a sense of adventure, she said.

Both her grandfather and father came back damaged. Her grandfather lost a leg at Gallipoli and her father suffered mental illness but never spoke about it.

"Back in those days it was about the stiff upper lip," Ms Ryan said.


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Source: AAP


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