ONE of the largest contingents of navy personnel ever assembled will take part in the Anzac Day ceremonies across the Douglas Shire on Monday.

Mossman RSL Sub-branch spokesperson Wally Gray said over 40 members from the hydrographic Royal Australia Navy vessel in Cairns will join the Dawn Service in Mossman before participating in the Port Douglas march.

“It will be the biggest contingent I’ve ever known so it’s going to be a good crew.” Gray said.

“They’ve been very supportive of the Mossman RSL over the years and a number of others up in the north."

The Port Douglas Primary School choir will sing In Flanders Field as the names of the fallen are called at the Mossman Dawn Service, while students from Mossman High School will lay a poppy for each fallen member.

Gray said he was impressed with the improved level of education surrounding Anzac Day and stressed the importance of young people keeping the Anzac spirit alive.

“I feel Anzac Day is getting better every year and we always have to remember and not let go of the past,” he said.

“So it’s important that we continue to educate the younger generation to make them understand that what they’ve got is only because of what our ancestors gave us.

“As long as they go on understanding that then it’s a tradition that will continue to grow for a long time.”

Details on the Anzac Day Services across the region are below:

MOSSMAN DAWN SERVICE
Mossman Cenotaph
64-66 Front Street from 5.30am
Followed by a free community breakfast at Mossman Indoor Sports Complex

COW BAY DAWN SERVICE
Cow Bay Cenotaph 
Cape Tribulation Road from 4.45am
Followed by free community breakfast at Cow Bay Hotel?
(Ferry operating from 4am)
Hutchinson Park, Port Gardens

PORT DOUGLAS COMMUNITY PARADE & CEREMONY
Macrossan St & ANZAC Park from 10.15am