Navy People: Matthew Spencer - ANZAC Day in France

16 March 2010

On 25 April this year, Maryborough’s Matthew Spencer, 33, will not be having a quiet family barbecue with his parents Joanne and Gary. Instead the Navy Leading Seaman will be part of the Australia’s Federation Guard contingent at the Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

The famous World War I battle around Villers-Bretonneux in 1918 broke the back of the German Army. The German chief of staff, General Ludendorf, called it the German Army’s blackest day. Australian diggers, commanded by Australian General Sir John Monash, won the victory and shortened the First World War. Even now the school-children at Villers-Bretonneux are taught to ‘Remember the Australians’.

“I joined the Navy right after school then had a break in the Reserves,” said Matthew. “Then I volunteered for the Federation Guard and now I’m back full-time.

“Being in the precision drill team means that I travel round Australia to various careers expos and shows, but this will be my first overseas trip with the Guard.

“But I did visit France on holiday a couple of years ago, so I’m looking forward to practising my French again.

“I know the dawn ceremony at Villers-Bretonneux is going to be awesome. I saw it on the ABC last year and have mates who have been there. But being there and seeing the sunrise for myself — awesome.”