Filling the role, for one year only, Jack took the opportunity to remind those at the services in Millthorpe, Carcoar, Mandurama and Lyndhurst, of not only the sacrifices made 100 years ago, but also of the ongoing trauma and sacrifices being made by those that have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Recent studies have estimated the number of serving and ex members of the ADF that have taken their own lives between 2001 and 2017 is 488.

“Seven times more than the casualty rates of every conflict since Vietnam combined.

“Almost 60% were people aged 18-34,” he said.

“Everyday brave men and women, live constantly with the war inside themselves.

“Safe at home with their families away from sounds of helicopters and gunfire, they remain in a world of chaos.

“Their minds and bodies invaded by the scars of war.”

Jack said that he was honoured to officiate at the ceremony, but stressed that it was for one year only.

“One year is the agreement that I made with Geoffrey,” he said. “I was going to go to Sydney and march with the guys that I was deployed with, I haven’t seen many of them for three years.”

Jack served in Afganistan in the 17^th construction and his father Geoff served in Vietnam in 1967.

For Jack, the speech was something that was close to his heart, and difficult to deliver.

“The suicide rate is something that is very close and personal for me,” he said, in his hometown of Carcoar, “I didn’t think I’d get emotional when reading it, but I did. Maybe I’ll be alright by the time we get to Lyndhurst”

For his father Geoff Braddon, seeing Jack officiate was a very proud moment.

“I’m kind of hoping that he’d do it every year, but Billy McDougall is sick at the moment and Jack said that he’ll do it just this once,” he said.

“But you never know,” he added with a wink.