ANZAC Day this year will have extra significance for a Taree family celebrating an association with the Australian military that stretches over four generations and 11 family members.
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Local man Larry Nolan, who still serves in the army and has the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two, said the family tree was "something they were very proud of."
The seeds of service were planted by Larry's grandfather Ellis Raymond Nolan, who served in World War II as a Company Sergeant Major in the 13/33 Australian Infantry Battalion.
Ellis served from February 1942 until February 1944.
He had three children who served in the military - Raymond Ellis Nolan, who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces in WWII; Lucy Agnes Monck (nee Nolan) who served as a gunner in the 52nd Search Light Battery in WWII, and Cyril Ronald Nolan, who attained the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.
Ellis had three son-in-laws who served as well - Roger Vernon Monck, George Raymond McCarthy and John Wade.
Three grandchildren followed their predecessors' career path, with Larry, Gary Monck and Kim Maree Wade all spending time in the military.
The latest in the long line is Raymond Monck, the great-grandson of Ellis, a Warrant Officer Class two who has served since 1996.
It means that the family has served in almost every conflict Australia has been involved in since WWII.
It also means that a host of Moncks, Nolans, McCarthys and Wades will assemble for Anzac Day commemorations in Taree.
"I'll be attending for my father and grandfather," said Larry about the Anzac Day commemorations. "It's always a proud sort of day."
