ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Meet The Oldest Anzac To March In Sydney's Parade

Meet The Oldest Anzac To March In Sydney's Parade

At 103, Bert Collins will be the oldest Australian to march in the commemorations.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Thousands of current and retired servicemen and women will take to the streets today across the country to mark Anzac Day.

Some will march for their relatives who have died and will proudly present their medals to show how younger generations are keeping the Anzac tradition alive.

Amongst these men and women will be Bert Collins, who, at 103 years old, will be Australia's oldest Anzac to march in the parade in Sydney.

He was sent to battle the Japanese in World War Two and after surviving that onslaught, has continued to battle health related issues.

Reflecting on his time at war, the centenarian has told Channel Nine: "When those bombs came down, my first thought was to think, golly, I wonder if I'll last.

"Big bomb dropped, and I had a whack on the shoulder blade; luckily it was a bit of split shrapnel. It didn't do any damage, just gave me a bit of a thump."

There are only a handful of men from his regiment still alive.

Channel 9
Channel 9

He said while he made it back from front lines, there were many more who didn't and that was such a tragedy to watch.

"All the wives who lost their husbands, their fiancés," he said.

"Men who have come home injured, or something like that; women have had to put up with all this business, they've had a lot to contend with."

After returning from the battlefront, he's since survived past a heart attack, a stroke and skin cancer. He's an absolute trooper that has gone through so much, so it's incredible to see him still keen to march alongside everyone else.

Featured Image Credit: Channel 9

Topics: Inspirational, Community, Australia