Local farmer Winton Nazarri led the dawn service at Tambellup, paying special tribute to the Indigenous Australians who served.
A presentation by Kayleen and Karessa Pickett honoured the memories of Katanning’s Augustus Pegg, Larry, Lewis and Kenneth, the sons of Emily (nee Coyne) and William Pegg Farmer who all volunteered during World War I.
Mr Nazarri said the Australian army contained people from all walks of life.
“These people merged into the army and somehow developed a courageous unit which proved highly effective in all conflicts,” he said.
“A proud and courageous part of our military includes Aboriginal Australians.
“Despite the Defence Act of 1903 exempting Aboriginal Australians from military service, many enlisted and it is estimated more than 1000 fought in World War I.”
The Picketts said many experienced equality for the first time in the army — a major change from everyday life.
“It is not known what motivated Indigenous Australians to join the Australian Imperial Force, but loyalty and patriotism doubtless played a part,” they said.
“There was also the incentive of receiving a wage; Indigenous soldiers were paid the same as non-Indigenous.
“There may also have been the hope that having served would bring greater equality after the war.
“In reality, however, upon their return to civilian life they were treated with the same prejudice and discrimination as before.”
Following the presentation, Andrew Bradshaw’s moving performance of Six Shillings A Day, was delivered to commemorate the Farmer family.
Scouts from Katanning made up the catafalque party at Woodanilling while 150 people gathered at the Jerramungup war memorial to hear shire president Nathan Brown speak on the importance of pausing each year to recognise those who serve or have served.
Cr Neil Foreman spoke on the Battle of Long Tan, a significant engagement in the Vietnam War in 1966, before wreaths were laid by members of the community.
Stephen Morrow, of Veterans Assist Great Southern, was the guest speaker at Cranbrook where a crowd gathered on Sukey Hill to watch the sun rise over the Stirling Range.
Mr Morrow reflected on his great-uncles’ service and how their story mirrored tales of the three Gillam brothers from the town.
Flares lit up the sky in Bremer Bay as the dawn service there got under way.
In Borden, Millbrook farmer Alan Hawley shared the story of his late father Herb who served during World War II and was a prisoner of war for four years.
Herb joined the artillery, enlisting in 6th battery, 2/3rd Field Regiment in November 1939 , seeing action at Tobruk and Bardia before being sent to Greece and coming under heavy fire outside Athens.
In Crete, he again came under attack and was involved in hand-to-hand fighting.
“Dad’s account was that they were out of ammunition so they would hide in the grapevines, knock the Germans on the head and pinch their guns,” Mr Hawley said.
Herb then became a prisoner of war, dangerously keeping a diary for the four years he was incarcerated in Germany and Austria.
He was made to shovel snow and build railways, mainly on a diet of potato peel.
Mr Hawley said he was released in April 1945 and subsequently suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, having nightmares and some depression which was much improved following a reunion with former colleagues in Greece in the 1980s.
A cabinet at the forts on Mt Adelaide in Albany is dedicated to him.
There was a dawn service in Gnowangerup while the events in Ongerup were on April 24 with a combined school and community service.
In the Shire of Kojonup, there were Anzac commemorations in the town and at Muradup and Jingalup.
The Jingalup commemoration incorporated the unveiling of the final stage of the restoration work at the memorial.
It now has a second protective structure and storyboards which tell the story of local people who served.
In the Shire of Kent there was a dawn service in Nyabing and an Anzac Day service in Pingrup.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails