ELLERSLIE’S Draffen family has several reasons to be proud participants in the Anzac Day centenary celebrations.
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Six Draffens served in the Great War and nine other family network members served in war efforts extending through to the Second World War.
Leigh Draffen and his five children wore medals of their forebears’ service during Saturday’s march in Warrnambool.
“There’s a great sense of pride,” Mr Draffen said. “It’s the first time we’ve worn all the medals in a march.”
His great-grandfather George Draffen was a 34-year-old Camperdown blacksmith when he enlisted and he served with the 12th field company engineers.
George’s brothers Edwin, Frank and Stirling joined him in the war effort while Edwin’s son Harold plus George’s sons Thomas and William served in the Second World War. Edwin also enlisted again when World War II came, but was kept on Australian shores. Nettie Draffen (McCullough), now aged 93, the wife of Thomas and grandmother of Leigh, enlisted in the army and served 919 days in the Second World War effort in support roles in Australia.
The McCullough family has its own impressive war service with her father George Henry being a member of the Australian Light Horse for more than 16 years, leaving in 1921 with the rank of squadron sergeant major, warrant officer class two.
His eldest son Hugh started his military role as an army cadet and served during the Second World War as a lieutenant, captain and major including time in New Guinea.
Another of George’s sons, Norman, saw service including the strategic Battle of Milne Bay in New Guinea.
Other relatives Keith (Blue) McRea, also Leigh’s grandfather, Keith’s brother Thomas and another Thomas (Keith’s uncle) and Keith’s cousin Jim McRae also fought in World War II and well as Keith’s brother-in-law Col Symons.