Mosman’s nursing sister Ruby Dickinson wasn’t overlooked on Anzac Day. Many thanks to Mike Rimmer who attended the Anzac ceremony at Harefield and remembered one who never returned. He also put us in touch with Rowena Scott, who kindly gave us permission to post this to the blog.
… we have a Civic Service and Ceremony in Harefield every Anzac Day at 3pm.
It is attended by many dignitaries and the wreathes are laid. As is the tradition the Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies along with representatives from the Junior School and Harefield Academy then lay their flowers on the graves.
The children’s procession to lay flowers on the graves was first organised by the Headmaster of the School in 1921. Flags were exchanged after the Armistice, the British Flag is currently hung in Adelaide High School having recently been restored.
This tradition is still kept alive today, 250 children from Harefield Infant School (ages 4-7) walk the mile down to church on the morning of Anzac day to lay their flowers. All of them want to see the nurse’s grave as she is the only woman.
Photos by Rowena Scott are on Flickr and Mike Rimmer’s photographs of Harefield Anzac ceremonies can be seen at mikerimmersphotos.com.