Bendigo has been repsented at Anzac ceremonies in Belgium.
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Leading Aircraftman Oliver Mclean, who grew up in Bendigo, is with Australia’s Federation Guard in Belgium on what has proven to be an emotional trip.
Leading Aircraftman Mclean is a former carpenter, now aviation firefighter with the RAAF.
He is currently posted to Australia’s Federation Guard, the tri-service unit that provides the Australian Defence Force with a permanent ceremonial capability.
The Federation Guard is lending support to Anzac Day ceremonies in Ypres, Belgium
“It’s fantastic, definitely a great experience, it’s a real privilege and very sobering,” Leading Aircraftman Mclean said.
The former Eaglehawk Secondary College student is part of the catafalque party that will help honour the fallen at several ceremonies around Ypres.
He has also taken part in a headstone rededication ceremonies for Private Cecil Burns and Driver Henry Comerford.
“It’s definitely got more significance to it, seeing the area and the battlefield,” he said.
During the trip, the Federation Guard contingent was given a tour of significant battlefields around Ypres soon after arriving in Belgium.
The tour had special significance for Leading Aircraftman Mclean.
His two great-great uncles, both from Tamworth, New South Wales, served with the Australian Imperial Force during the Great War.
“The eldest was 31, Lance Corporal Eric Norman Searle, service number 1922, who was in the 33rd Battalion. He died of wounds during the battle of Passchendaele,” he said.
The battle of Passchendaele in 1917 was an attempt by Allied forces to drive the Germans from the surrounding dominant ridges around Ypres and reach as far as the Belgian coast.
Several months of fighting, often in appalling weather, led to crippling losses.
Leading Aircraftman McLean’s other great-great uncle, Private Jack Bowden Searle, of the 19th Battalion, fought at Messines and was captured by the Germans at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917.
Sent to Dulmen prison camp, then Gustrow and Parchim prison camp, he was repatriated in early January 1919.
“I’m pretty sure I’m the first relative that’s been over here,” Leading Aircraftman Mclean said.
“I have a lot more understanding of the size of everything, the gravity of what went on, it’s definitely quite humbling.”