EX-SERVICE men and women joined family, friends and more than 200 members of the public in Anzac commemorations in Sunshine.


And, while some Diggers haven’t seen military service for more than 60 years, memories of war and their fallen comrades remain as sharp as ever.


Army and air-force cadets, scouts, and the Sunshine City Band joined World War II and Vietnam veterans in a march through the streets of Sunshine as a mark of respect to the dead – and a chance to look back on their service.


Official RSL commemorations will be held throughout the country today but, for Sunshine members last Sunday’s service provided a more intimate chance to pay their annual respects and catch up with old friends.


“It’s a good day for people to march and remember Australia’s military history,” Sunshine RSL president David Twidle told Star.


The diggers marched from the Brimbank Municipal Offices, through Devonshire and Hampshire roads, before the service at the Sunshine RSL Cenotaph.


Family members laid floral wreaths and a cornetist played the Last Post.


Ray Carlton, an 84-year-old veteran and a World War II Beaufort Bomber navigator, was among those taking part in the Anzac celebrations.


Mr Carlton served in New Guinea and the Indonesian islands and still has strong memories of his wartime experience and of the blokes who never came home.


“Every time you’d take off in an aircraft you’d put your life at risk in those days,” he said.


“I’ve taken off after another aircraft that just exploded in front of us.


“Another time, we were in a low-level bombing attack when the aircraft in front of us dropped its bombs and, as we flew over, the bombs went off underneath us,” Mr Carlton said.


“A crew in an aircraft is a very close group because you are very reliant on each other, and each aircraft was a fighting unit on its own.


“You’d form very good and lasting friendships with those particular people.”


Mr Carlton, who is also treasurer of the Sunshine RSL, took part in the commemorations, and was joined by his grandson at the dawn service in Melbourne this morning.


“I never miss the dawn service – it’s just a very reflective time to look back and remember,” Mr Carlton said.