HEAVY fog swirled thick around the Monto R.S.L Club this morning, casting a sombre vibe across the hundreds of faces in the crowd.
As residents and visitors to the small North Burnett town rolled out in droves to show support for fallen diggers, the community’s united spirit shone.
Brisk Monto weather was reminiscent of the cool calm morning when some 12, 000 brave young Australians nervously approached Gallipoli Peninsular.
Monto’s Bruce Jamieson pays his respects after laying a wreath on behalf of the National Servicemen.
On the morning of the landing, Journalist Charles Bean made notes as the dawn light grew.
“It is well past four just when the men of the 3rd Brigade should be rushing out of their boats,” he wrote.
“I heard the distant echo of rifle firing the men had landed and the battle had begun.”
Despite heavy rifle fire, the Anzacs stormed the beach in vain.
2,000 of those soldiers were killed in in the first 24 hours – more than the entire population of Monto, wiped out.
After being wounded and miraculously evacuated after the first day of battle Pte. R.G. Hamilton of the 3rd Brigade wrote to his family of the atrocities.
“Just a line to let you know, I am still numbered amongst the living,” he wrote.
“I was in the fighting line all day with the exception of half an hour while I helped one of our wounded officers back to the dressing station.
“It was terrible to see your comrades around you, shattered to pieces with shells and shrapnel others shot or wounded with bullets.”
As wreaths were lain, names of the fallen read and the last post reverberated, Monto remembered.