The pouring rain that soon started and continued on and off throughout the city’s Anzac Day dawn service failed to deter what some members of the RSL sub-branch believe to be the largest turnout in living memory for the event, organised by Wagga Legacy.

“This would be the biggest crowd I have ever seen here by far,” said Korean war veteran and sub-branch vice president Harry Edmonds. “It’s something to treasure.”

Looking over a sea of umbrellas, sub-branch treasurer Brian Watts said people started arriving at 4.30am.

Pauline McGilvray was determined not to let a little rain stop her attending the service. “Just think what the soldiers went through,” Mrs McGilvray said.

Mary Jay said she attended the dawn service every year.

“My husband Peter served 24 years in the air force,” Mrs Jay said. “He served in Vietnam and died in 1990.

“My father, Edward Lafferty, served in Egypt in World War I and my brother Patrick was a Nasho. They have all passed on I come every year for them. I will march later on.”

The service included prayers, hymns, scripture readings, wreath laying and the singing of the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand.

Former member for Riverina Kay Hull recited a poem about dawn services written by World War II veteran Arthur Francis.

Mayor Rod Kendall described the dawn service attendance as incredible, while Group Captain Ross Jones from RAAF Base Wagga said it showed people’s commitment to remember.

Father Gerard Ryan, Fr Michael Armstrong and Reverend Sandy McMillan conducted the prayer service.

“The Anzacs had to suffer at Gallipoli, so we have to do a bit of suffering, too,” Fr Ryan said as the rain belted down.

The Legacy Inspiration was read by Wagga High School students Abbey Fellows and Dooley Whitton.

“It’s amazing, I did not expect so many people here, it shows how good a community we are. I’m so honoured,” Abbey said. “Everyone is coming out in the rain, too. It’s so good to see the community coming out on such a special day,” Dooley said.