Families of former soldiers forge ties

 FAMILIES of people who served in the Seventh Division of the Australian Imperial Force want to maintain their links which began during the colonial administration.

The family members of about 65 active ex-servicemen have lived at Situm and Gobari in Labuta council, Nawaeb, since the  colonial days.

They are in the process of forming the Association of Native Ex-Servicemen Dependents in Situm and Gobari under the Seventh Division of the Australian Imperial Force.

Group secretary Augustine Baimur said the purpose was to carry the legacies of their fathers and grandfathers who served under the Australian military and administration in the colonial days.

“We will stand united to maintain the legacy and the state land allocated in honour of our fathers and grandfathers, who served in military and civil servants in colonial days, to be involved in any community development activities,” Baimur said.

The group is led by eight executives. They want to be involved in national events such as Remembrance Day and Independence Day.