THE weather was cold and wet but the atmosphere was fantastic, according to Corporal Adam Saxton who was in Canberra last week for the Centenary Parade.
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Corporal Saxton, who grew up in Singleton and until a couple of weeks ago still lived in town, accompanied the traditional Guidons (cavalry unit Colours) of his Army Reserve unit to this landmark parade.
The parade marked the Centenary of the Australian Army’s 2nd Division, which was raised in Egypt on July 26, 1915.
After service in the Gallipoli Campaign, it went on to be the first Australian Army Division to join the battle on the Western Front in 1916.
And, the day lived up to Corporal Saxton’s expectations with another former Singleton resident Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in attendance along with the Minster for Defence Kevin Andrews and Chief of Army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.
The colours, banners and guidons of all the 2nd Division’s units travelled to Canberra, accompanied by military escorts.
Corporal Saxton is a Troop Corporal in B Squadron (Muswellbrook NSW) of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers – an (armoured) cavalry unit with sub-units in Tamworth, Armidale and Muswellbrook that traces its history back to the Australian Light Horse.
A member of the Army Reserves for eight years, Corporal Saxton said he was always interested in army and had plenty of mates from the Singleton Infantry Base.
He was a member of the local cubs and scouts and the Air Cadets and, when he completed his TAFE training, he found himself working with many people at Ausgrid who were members of the Army Reserve.
Of his role in the Centenary Parade, he said, “Being a guard member of the Guidons is something I hold with great regard due to our unit’s history and the bravery of those who have gone before us.”
Corporal Saxton’s Lancer heritage goes back some way.
“My great-great grandfather, Ernest Hansen, joined A Squadron 1st Light Horse Regiment in Cessnock on August 22, 1914, and served in Egypt and the Middle East,” he said.
“He returned home in 1918 as a Warrant Officer of the Provost Corps.”
Of his more recent military family connections, Corporal Saxton added: “I also had two uncles who served Australia in the Vietnam War.
“Being a member of 2nd Division is a source of great pride and respect as you are a representative of a strong and distinguished military organisation dating back to World War One.”
Corporal Saxton, who deployed to the Solomon Islands on operation ANODE in 2012-13, reflected upon his service.
“I am proud to be a member of the Army Reserve and to have had the chance to serve my country,” he said.
“It has given me personal fortitude, strength and lifelong mateship.
“I am always proud to say I’m a member of the Australian Defence Force.”
