With his grandmother Glad Pretty at his side representing the War Widows’ Guild of Australia, the pair walked solemnly along Vincent Street to the Daylesford War Memorial.

Dead Man Pennies were given to the next-of-kin of the men and women who died during World War One. 

The atmosphere was sombre as the Daylesford community gathered to pay their respects, with the Daylesford District Vietnam Veterans leading the march as the nation commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

Guest speaker Reverend Jeff O'Hare from the Brotherhood of St Laurence and chaplain to the Choir of Hard Knocks spoke to the crowd about the founders who were inspired to start the brotherhood after seeing the traumas experienced by returned servicemen and women.

“Gathering is not about nationalistic pride or the glory of war, there is no glory in this,” he said.

“But as we gaze on the names on this memorial...we remember them, the fallen, all who served, with gratitude, not for the conflict but for a nation standing for the rights of freedom.”

Returned serviceman Daniel Simpson, who had served in Iraq, agreed the service was a chance to remember, but also to highlight the mental trauma experienced by returned soldiers.

“It brings back all the memories. I was in Iraq on Anzac Day in 2003 so it’s already 13 years,” he said.

“It’s a chance to remember all those who served and died and also those who struggled since they got back.”

“There’s been a lot of soldiers returned from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who’ve really suffered from mental illness, so it’s good the community recognises it.”