TAMWORTH RSL Sub-branch president and Vietnam vet Bob Chapman has plenty of traditions to honour this Anzac Day.

The first will have been the dawn service this morning where he sees firsthand the massive efforts of the RSL sub-branch committee, especially the executive and their efforts “to ensure arrangements are in place and nothing was left undone”.

Mr Chapman will lead Tamworth’s Anzac Day march, just ahead of the flags from each service and the Bushmaster vehicles of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers.

“It’s good to know that we can have military vehicles in the parade to demonstrate we have an armoured unit in Tamworth,” he said.

“It’s great to be able to involve them in the parade.”

He said the jeeps brought back plenty of memories for those who served in World War II.

This year will also be special for another tradition – he will wear his father’s World War II medals. “He was a POW in World War II and he would’ve been nearing 100 now,” Mr Chapman said. 

His father, Private Charles George Chapman, served in the 2nd/1st Field Ambulance and was a POW in Stalag 4 Camp in Germany.

“I remember dad telling me years ago that Noel Park of Tamworth was his commanding officer at one stage,” he said.

Mr Chapman served overseas as a corporal crew commander with 3rd Cavalry Regiment for one tour in 1970 on armoured personnel carriers (APCs).

The APC monument at the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers Beersheba Barracks in Tamworth brings back a lot of memories, he said. He said he had plenty of people on his mind on Anzac Day. 

“I will think of my dad and the guys who were killed in action and wounded during my time and in the whole of the Vietnam conflicts. I think of all the soldiers, sailors and airmen in all conflicts and the situation today. The carnage they suffered and saw was for the great cause that is freedom,” he said.