A VETERAN of the Second World War and Korean War who served alongside troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was among those at Weymouth's Anzac Day service.

Part of the Esplanade was closed to allow the service to take place yesterday morning.

Anzac Day was originally to honour the members of the Corps who served in the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War; many thousands of them passed through Weymouth on their return.

The day now commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars.

The Weymouth memorial was led by mayor Cllr Kate Wheller and the mayor’s chaplain, the Reverend Betty Port, with Commander Brett Fotheringham from the Royal New Zealand Navy and Lieutenant Commander Courtney Bahr from Royal Australian Navy in attendance.

Wreaths were laid at the town's Anzac memorial by veterans following a service led by Rev Port which remembered the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand troops.  

Dorset Echo: Veterans Reg Fox (L) and Dave Larcombe (R)Veterans Reg Fox (L) and Dave Larcombe (R) (Image: Andy Jones)

One veteran who was there to pay his respects was Reg Fox, 97, from the Bournemouth, Poole & District Branch of the Royal Tank Regiment Association.

He signed up for Army service during the Second World War and later served in the Korean War alongside Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

Mr Fox said: “I volunteered when I was 17. After the initial training I went to India before the Japanese war was over, just in case the Japanese broke through, then from there, I went back to Germany then later to Korea.

“There were Australian and New Zealanders in Korea, all part of the UN forces.

“I didn’t know any more than anybody else, I just did my duty and carried on.

“The glory should be to those who did not come back of which there were many.”

Dorset Echo: Commander Brett Fotheringham from the Royal New Zealand Navy, Reverend Betty port and Cllr Kate Wheller at the memorial service Commander Brett Fotheringham from the Royal New Zealand Navy, Reverend Betty port and Cllr Kate Wheller at the memorial service (Image: Andy Jones)

During the service, Rev Port spoke of the Anzacs' history in Weymouth which saw 120,000 troops pass through the town, 90 of whom died here.

The first troops arrived at Burdon's Military Hospital, now the Hotel Prince Regent on the Esplanade. Those who died in Weymouth were buried in the town's cemeteries.

Rev Port said: “We gather to remember the troops of the Australian and New Zealand corps, the Anzacs - for these young nations the losses at Gallipoli were heavy.

"Their qualities have served as an inspiration to many; endurance, courage, good humour and mate ship.

"Weymouth is proud to be part of the story of World War One.

"Over 100 years ago the first Anzac soldiers evacuated from Gallipoli arrived at Burdon's Military Hospital, now the Prince Regent Hotel to recover from physical and metal scars."