Gloucester RSL sub-branch president Bob Murray said high school students would be encouraged to absorb some of the duties traditionally reserved for returned servicemen and women at this year’s commemoration services.

“Tumbarumba, down in the Riverina, has been doing it for the past 13 years or so,” Mr Murray said.

“Every one of us is getting older. The younger generations are the future.”

Mr Murray said this year’s commemorations would commence with a dawn service at the clock tower from 5.30am.

The march from the Soldiers Club will start at 10.25am with the main service to commence at the clock tower at 11am.

Warrant officer Mick Young from the Singleton School of Infantry will be the guest speaker at this year’s service.

Mr Murray said preparations for next year’s Anzac Day, which will commemorate 100 years since the landing at Gallipoli, were already underway.

“We’ve ordered a commemorative plaque which will be placed at the bottom entrance to the clock tower park and pays tribute to those soldiers that fought and died in World War I,” he said.

“That plaque will be unveiled as part of next year’s service.”

On a more sour note, Mr Murray has condemned vandals who damaged several plaques recognising the sub-branch’s contribution to helping establish the hydrotherapy pool.

Mr Murray said several plaques outside the entrance to the pool had been damaged and one had been stolen.

He urged anyone with information to contact Gloucester Police on 6558 1204.

Anzac Day program Friday, April 25:

-5.30am - Dawn service at Gloucester Memorial Park Clock Tower. The public are invited to attend.

- 6.30am - Wreath laying at Memorial Gates, St Paul’s Anglican Church.

- 7am - Wreath laying at the Gloucester cemetery.

- 7.15am - Wreath laying at the Gloucester District Historical Museum.

- 7.45am - Breakfast at the Gloucester Soldiers Club.

- 10.25am - Participants in the Anzac Day march assemble outside the Soldiers Club.

- 10.25am - Wreath laying at the Soldiers Club.

- 10.30am - Commencement of march accompanied by marching tunes. The parade will proceed via Denison, Church and Hume streets. All ex-service men and women are invited to march to the clock tower.

A bus and nurse will be available courtesy of the Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital for those ex-service men and women who can not march.