Paying tribute to WWI veterans

By BRIGID SIMEONI

PAYING tribute to family members who served in war was a touching experience for Ken Smith.

Mr Smith was at a commemoration service marking the new site of a memorial honouring West Ipswich and One Mile World War I veterans on Saturday morning.

His uncles ? George Ambrose Wood, John James Wood and Charles Albert Wood ? are among the 55 names on the memorial. Three of the 55 received military medals.

Armed Forces and Returned Service League representatives gathered at Leichhardt Park, One Mile, for the parade and ceremony.

The memorial was moved from Brisbane Street, West Ipswich, to a park on Old Toowoomba Road to make way for a new One Mile Bridge.

Mr Smith said the ceremony was significant in recognising those who served in war.

"The ceremony was very touching ? I feel very proud to be related to them," he said.

The 81-year-old served in World War II in his late teens.

"I served when I was 18 ? I spent five months in New Guinea," Mr Smith said.

His son Dennis Smith said he was proud to honour his great-uncles.

"Charles (Albert Wood) won a military medal," he said. Saturday's march was from West Ipswich to One Mile.

Families looked on as Lighthorse members, flag bearers and war veterans riding in vintage cars made their way on to the bridge.