Caretaker of Martin Place Cenotaph who took posting after he couldn't serve retires after 78 years
A senior Australian citizen who acted as official caretaker of the Sydney Anzac Cenotaph for the past 78 years retired this morning at the age of 96.
Wally Scott Smith enlisted in the war effort in 1937 with the hope of following in his father's footsteps and becoming a serviceman in the Australian army, Nine News reports.
But when he was diagnosed with cancer a week later - eventually causing him to have 12 inches of his bowel removed - Wally was deemed medically unfit for service.
Wally Scott Smith, 96, retired as official caretaker of the Anzac Sydney Cenotaph after 78 years
Mr Smith enlisted in the war effort in 1937, but was deemed medically unfit for service after he was diagnosed with cancer. Nine years later 'he was asked if he would like to take over the job as caretaker of the cenotaph'
But as the Last Post signalled his final day on the job on Wednesday morning, Mr Smith received a standing ovation for having contributed to the Anzacs in another way.
'All Wally wanted to do was serve his country so in 1946, he was asked if he would like to take over the job as caretaker of the cenotaph,' the crowd heard.
'He thought maybe this was his way of serving the country.'
The Anzac Cenotaph, located in the heart of Martin Place, is one of the oldest WWI monuments in Sydney and the centrepiece for the city's main Anzac dawn service ceremonies
The Anzac Cenotaph, located in the heart of Martin Place, is one of the oldest WWI monuments in Sydney and the centrepiece for the city's main Anzac dawn service ceremonies.
For Wally, it was his life's work.
'Since Wally has been the caretaker of the cenotaph, he's escaped from hospital twice with morphine drips no less just to get here and do his job,' the crowd heard.
'Not many people realised that he stayed all day and all night at the cenotaph every one of those years.
'Wal Smith – thank you for a job well done.'
During the tribute, Mr Smith was presented with a gift from the Anzac Day Trust by NSW Governor General David Hurly.