{"id":372156,"date":"2025-11-11T18:56:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T18:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/372156\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T18:56:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T18:56:21","slug":"wwii-veterans-pass-legacy-onto-next-generation-at-remembrance-day-in-perth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/372156\/","title":{"rendered":"WWII veterans pass legacy onto next generation at Remembrance Day in Perth"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of veterans who served in World War II continues to dwindle, 80 years since the war ended.<\/p>\n

For the remaining few, the memories \u2014 and emotions \u2014 are a legacy to be passed on while they still can.<\/p>\n

George Franklin, 103, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 when he was 18, but was was pulled from air crew duties once he discovered he was colourblind.<\/p>\n

He was then sent to Noonkanbah Station in Western Australia’s north where he re-fuelled and re-armed US heavy bombers, which were fighting the Japanese, but was glad he did not “see any action” on the front line.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

George Franklin is a World War II veteran.\u00a0 (ABC News: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n

After finishing his military service, Mr Franklin went on to join the Army Band, playing the trumpet.<\/p>\n

He said he has since played the Last Post at funerals for other veterans more times than he could remember.<\/p>\n

“So, I wouldn’t mind a pound for every time I’ve played the Last Post somewhere,”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

he said.\"Army<\/p>\n

Hundreds gathered at Kings Park to mark 107 years since the Armistice was signed to end World War I. (ABC News: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n

Mr Franklin said it was difficult to say goodbye to so many comrades, as the number of living veterans declines rapidly.<\/p>\n

“You see it in a different light when you’re in the band \u2026 when you’re playing the dead march to bury a guy,” he said.<\/p>\n

“You’re playing the Last Post when he’s in there [the coffin], you’ve got to forget about it.”<\/p>\n

Mr Franklin was among hundreds who honoured the fallen at a Remembrance Day service at Kings Park on Tuesday, with services held all around Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

‘The supreme sacrifice’<\/p>\n

Mr Franklin said it can be quite difficult to share parts of his memories and feelings when reflecting on those who did not make it back.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

About 400 people attended the 2025 Remembrance Day service at Kings Park.\u00a0 (ABC News: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n

“It’s always the supreme sacrifice that these guys have done,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Franklin said he is not often “elbow-to-elbow with youngsters” anymore to share his stories with the next generation.<\/p>\n

“I think they’re taught what’s been happening at school, but whether it dawns on them, I don’t know,” he said.<\/p>\n

Russell Hosken, also a World War II veteran, said it was getting more and more difficult to find people with the same lived experiences.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Russell Hosken is a World War II veteran.\u00a0 (ABC News: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n

Mr Hosken was conscripted in 1942, aged 18, and was assigned to Oliver Hill at Rottnest Island, protecting the Fremantle Port from attacks.<\/p>\n

The 102-year-old believed he was the only person from his team left alive.<\/p>\n

“It’s hard to realise that there’s no-one else you can talk to about it,”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mr Hosken said.\"An<\/p>\n

Russell Hosken, second from the left, was part of the White Hull (ex) US SCR-268 VHR radar team pictured here on Rottnest in 1944.\u00a0 (Supplied)<\/p>\n

Mr Hosken said there were less and less people left to provide first-hand stories of the war.<\/p>\n

Mr Hosken remembers the day the war ended very clearly.<\/p>\n

He said he was in New South Wales, driving a truck in the middle of a paddock when his sergeant told everyone of Japan’s surrender.<\/p>\n

“And I blew the horn on the truck, but everyone else was just quiet, so I stopped it straight away,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Hosken said it was good to see so many people marking Remembrance Day this year and continuing the legacy of veterans in their absences.<\/p>\n

“It’s nice to be still alive and but I wish some of the others were still around too,” he said.<\/p>\n

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