Famous march commemorated:

The commemoration on Sunday 26 September of the 70th anniversary of the march of the Lark Force and Gull Force through Benalla was a very special day for the 350 family members of veterans who attended along with six veterans.
The ceremony commenced with a march down Bridge Street led by the Benalla Caledonian Band. The Salvation Army Band played a number of hymns during the service.
It was particularly fitting to have the Salvation Army band participate, as veteran Fred Kollmorgen was the only member of the Salvation Army Band with the Lark Force to survive.
Lark Force veterans, Norm Furness, Fred Kollmorgen and Gull Force veteran Max (Eddie) Gilbert spoke briefly of their war time experiences and their fond memories of the hospitality they received on the march from Trawool to Bonegilla in September 1940.
Fellow veteran Walter Hicks recited The Ode and veterans Lionel Penny and Sam Blaby laid a wreath on behalf of the Gull Force and Lark Force respectively.
Dr Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla, who organised the commemoration said that it was a very emotional day. Dr Sykes said, "Clearly many families are still grieving over the tragic fate of their loved ones.
"It was wonderful for them to be able to speak to surviving veterans and learn a little more of their loved one's fate."

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