Teen's battle to join Anzac pilgrimage

Lance McGuire had to fight a major battle to take part in what may become one of his life’s greatest experiences.

The teenager, who was to join fellow students from Bunbury Senior High School on a tour to the battlefields of France, then on to Gallipoli, became ill less than a week before the group’s departure.

After contracting pharyngitis, which attacked his throat and put him in hospital, the Bunbury teenager had to call on his own Anzac spirit to overcome an infection.

"Not going was not an option — I had to go,” he said.

He was released from hospital the day before the group left on its Anzac pilgrimage.

Also in the group is 13-year-old Josh Green whose great-grandfather Herbert Green witnessed the aerial battle and final moments of the famous German air ace, the Red Baron.

“I know it will be quite emotional, I am representing the family,” said Josh, proudly clutching his great-grandfather’s medals.

Sophie Smillie, 15, who came to Bunbury from Scotland with her family is also proud of a relative’s wartime service.

“I will be the first in my family to visit the grave of my great-great grandfather Daniel who was killed at the battle of Bellewaarde in June 1915,” she said.

For BSHS teacher Val Mutton, it will be the second visit to the famous war memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, where she will search for the name of a relative killed in France.

“Most of those who came back never spoke of what happened,” she said.

“I know it will be emotional. We are all looking forward to it.”

None more so than Lance McGuire, 14, whose great-great uncle, Stanley Crosbie — an engine driver from Boulder — was killed in action on April 24, on the eve of Anzac Day 1918.

Along with thousands of others, Lance will take part in the dawn service at the only Australian war memorial in France.

“I am just proud to say I have a relative who fought and died for Australia,” he said.