ANZAC Day is a historic day for many Australians, but every year it is particularly important for 93- year old veteran Australian Light Horseman Ben Sell.
The Mercy Place Colac resident entered the army when he was just 17 years old, and travelled to Western Australia to join the ‘Mullewa’ training camp to become a member of the 4th Division Light Horse Brigade. During this time, Mr Sell served with his light horse named Caesar, who today remains close to his heart.
Not long after Mr Sell joined the Australian Light Horse Brigade, tanks replaced horses in battle and the brigade disbanded. He was then posted to the First Armoured Division in Western Australia where he served for one year.
Following his time in Western Australia, Mr Sell served in the Australian Imperial Forces from 1941 to 1946, and spent three months working as an engineer in New Guinea building airstrips and roads.
“I’m proud of my service for my country. I made a lot of friends during the six years I served, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie between the fellow soldiers that I often miss,” Mr Sell said.
“During my service I was fortunate enough to travel around Australia and overseas to Manila (Philippines), New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.”
Mercy Place Colac has been home to Mr Sell for 3 years, and will hold an ANZAC Day memorial service at 10:30am on Monday 25 April. More than 50 residents and staff will gather under the flagpole at the Home for a service which will include reading of a Jean Howard’s ANZAC Day poem and laying of a wreath.
Mercy Place Colac Facility Manager Karen Watkiss said many of its residents have a special connection to ANZAC Day.
“We have residents who are returned service men and women, war widows and those whose sons and daughters or family members have served in the forces,” Ms Watkiss said.
“Commemorating ANZAC Day gives residents the opportunity to talk about their experiences with war and share their stories with others.”
Mercy Health is a Catholic community not-for-profit provider of care, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and grounded in a 2000 year history of caring for those in need. The organisation has 22 residential aged care homes throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.
Download full media release ( PDF, 206.0K )Last reviewed December 28, 2017.
