Cadet Band Division recognises Australia’s Anzac Heritage

Members of the Cadet Band Division have had the pleasure of seeing, feeling and hearing about Australia’s Anzac heritage and in the process have earned some of the first Anzac Heritage Proficiency badges in Australia.

Palmerston Adult Division volunteer Benny Butler, a 20 year veteran of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps dedicated many hundreds of hours in compiling visual and audio presentations to educate the cadets on the history of the Australian Anzacs. The information spanned from the shores of Gallipoli in World War 1 to the harsh climate of North Africa in World War 2 as well as the many other conflicts. The class was told of the courage of men like John Simpson Kirkpatrick and Dasher Wheatly as well as the commitment of women who worked as nurses, launderette workers and letter writers during the Second World War.

With each new class came a new surprise for the cadets including a genuine Victoria Cross, an Army ration pack as well as an Australian flag which had flown in some of the war torn areas visited during the course. The amount of effort put in by Benny was only matched by the cadets’ enthusiasm for the topic with many of them going out of their way to investigate their own family history as well as the events which made Australia the country it is today.

Due to his commitment, outstanding effort and obvious love for Australia’s military history, Benny Butler was awarded honorary membership to the Cadet Band Division. The trophy, in the shape of a saxophone is a symbol of Cadet Band’s appreciation for his hard work and willingness to assist the Cadet Band.

Amy McKay
Sergeant 
Cadet Band Division