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LEST WE FORGET T
he nation will fall silent on Monday as we pause to remember the Australians who fought for the very freedoms we enjoy today. Thousands are expected to attend Dawn Service commemorations in Penrith and St Marys on ANZAC Day, which return to full capacity after COVID reduced attendance numbers last year and completely cancelled services in 2020. The Penrith region has a long connection with the tragedies of war. Among the many to have come from this region is Edward Champness (pictured), who was born on August 20 1923 at St Marys to Edgar and Vera Champness. In 1941 he enlisted in the RAAF and in June 1943 was sent to England. In April 1944 he was posted to 630 Squadron flying Lancasters from East Kirkby in Lincoln. His first mission was in April 1944 over central Germany. He was killed on May 23 1944 during a bombing raid over Brunswick, Germany.
Edward Champness. Photo: Penrith City Library.
He is buried at the British War Cemetery in Rheinberg, Germany. His story is one of many that impacted the Penrith region so greatly, many of which are documented by Penrith City Library. Stories like that of Irwin Bunyan, who was born at Emu Plains, the ninth child and sixth son of William and Sarah Ann Bunyan and was known as ‘Mick’. On the eve of leaving for the Western Front, Bunyan was presented with a money belt and other mementos by the people of Emu Plains. On May 3 1917, he suffered severe wounds to the chest during a charge at Bullecourt in France. He lay in a shell hole for three days and sustained further shrapnel wounds. He was finally rescued and underwent surgery, but died as a result of his wounds. It is for Edward, for Irwin, and for the many others with similar stories that we pause and reflect on Monday. Lest We Forget. More ANZAC coverage: Pages 2, 3.
PAGES 16-17 REMEMBERING MBERING THE P PLANET
PAGES 18 T FOR LEGO LOVERS DELIGHT
PAGES 53 B THE EMUS ARE BACK
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