Anzac Day: Hundreds turn out to Katherine Dawn Service

The service, which took place at 6am this morning, featured representatives from across the community, locals who have served and current serving members.

Katherine Mayor Lis Clark read a message from Prime Minister Scott Morrison which acknowledged the recent 80th anniversary of the Bombing of Katherine as well as World War I veteran Lance Corporal Frederick Prentice MM.

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Lance Corporal Prentice was an Aboriginal soldier from Powell Creek Telegraph Station, south of Elliot, who joined the defence force despite his Aboriginality preventing him from doing so at the time.

"Fred enlisted anyway and, as a soldier, confronted the worst of the war," the message reads.

"In 1916, Private Prentice was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Mouquet Farm, Posieres."

Private Prentice settled in Katherine after the war and passed away alone in 1957 and was buried in an unmarked grave.

But in 2021, largely thanks to local members of the Stolen Generations Ellen Gough and Juanita Kruger as well as Warrant Officer Karl Boeck, "he received the honour he so richly deserved."

"One hundred and six years has passed since Frederick Prentice joined up, but Australia remembered his service," Mr Morrison's message reads.

Wing Commander Shane Smith from RAAF Base Tindal also spoke, telling the stories of David Martin Gillies, Ron Clark and Arthur London who all served Australia at war over different periods.

Former stockman David Martin Gillies joined the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion who landed and fought at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 and was killed in action at Gallipoli on August 7, 1915.

Ron Clark and Arthur Loudon both served in the Royal Australian Air Force after leaving behind their lives and families.

"These are only three of the hundred of thousands of stories and accounts of ordinary Australians who answered the call and enlisted to defend Australia and our National interests," Wing Commander Smith said.

"As a fellow service member, but more importantly - a fellow ordinary Australian - I am proud to be walking in their footsteps and to remember their sacrifices on this day."

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