23 April 2025
Days before departing for Gallipoli to take part in Anzac Day commemorations, Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) member Private Luke Morrison learnt of his great-grandfather’s final resting place.
British soldier Private Winter John De Carteret was killed in action while fighting with the 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, in France on April 29, 1918.
“I knew about my great-grandfather’s service in France, but had no idea where he was buried,” Private Morrison said.
While Private Morrison will take part in the catafalque party in Gallipoli, fellow AFG members will stand vigil at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, about 30km from his great-grandfather’s resting place.
“I am excited to get to Gallipoli, to the actual battlefield,” Private Morrison said.
Although far from France, Private Morrison looked forward to the opportunity to connect to those who have served and who paid the ultimate price.
“Being able to honour not only my great-grandfather’s legacy, but all the young Australians that stepped up to fight tyranny and evil, is the least I can do,” he said.
His father served in the Royal Australian Air Force and, as a child, Private Morrison attended Anzac Day ceremonies and heard stories from his parents about his great-grandfather. But he was too young to understand the importance of his relative’s service.
Having now served for more than five years in the Army, Ipswich-born Private Morrison has participated in other significant events in his time at AFG, including the Anzac Day dawn service at Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea in 2024.
He said he was looking forward to performing his duties at Gallipoli.
“It is not every day that you get the opportunity to go to Turkiye; it is a dream come true,” Private Morrison said.
The AFG contingent of 43 personnel will also tour the battlefield on the Gallipoli Peninsula to learn about what the Anzacs faced during their time there.
