There is nothing more he looks forward to than his duties on Cumberland RSL Sub-Branch and taking part in ANZAC Day services.
Destined for the services, Chris is the grandson of Captain Frank Hurley on the ship Endurance that transported Sir Ernest Shackleton to Antarctica on the 1914-17 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
“I was 15 when my grandfather died but he was a true inspiration and I always felt I had a lot to live up to,” Chris said.
When he got out of the services, Chris got into the trucking business and was a contractor for Parramatta City Council for many years before retiring.
Life for the 76-year-old is still very busy; he was the last President of Auburn RSL Sub branch before it became Cumberland RSL Sub branch in 2016 and is the present delegate on the Western Metropolitan District Council, keeping his area up to date with State branch matters.
He says that though many veterans are passing on with few world war diggers left, commemorating ANZAC Day in 2023 is as important as ever.
“We visit as many schools as we can to teach them about our history and hold ANZAC Day services and you’d be amazed at how surprised and interested young people are,” he said.
“That’s what drives us, to keep the legacy alive and remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives to keep our country safe; it’s always an honour and we will never stop.”
• The Vietnam War (1962 to 1975) was the longest 20th century conflict in which Australians participated.
It involved about 60,000 Australian personnel, 500 of whom lost their lives, while some 3,000 were wounded, otherwise injured or were victims of illness.
