Danny Whitehead held the rank of Corporal when he served Australia for our defence forces. Danny is 41 and has been a resident of Cootamundra for the last 3 years. He is now a stay at home dad and gets to spend time with his 5 children.
He said, “It’s really good to spend time with the kids.” Something he missed out on while serving. Danny did 5 trips over a period of 10 years. East Timor in 2000 and 2003/2004 and again in 2006/2007. He then served in Iraq in 2008 before Afghanistan in 2010. Danny discharged on February 5, 2013.
Danny sees Anzac Day as a traditional day, where he has his rum and coffee in the morning and the chance to pay his respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. He said, “Quite a few of my friends have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Danny found the mateship one of the most rewarding parts of his service and the bond that he made with his fellow soldiers.
He said, “The bond you have with them is life long. Danny served with Harden man Brad Giddings both in Iraq and Afghanistan and he still keeps in contact with all of the men in his section.”
As a Corporal he was in charge of a 10 man section, himself and nine others. Danny’s family followed the RSL’s guidelines and took part in the driveway services before watching the services on tv with his fiancée Skye.
Unfortunately he can’t get together with the guys he served with under the current restrictions. Danny said, “Anzac Day is important, it’s not a celebration, it is a day of remembrance.”
Danny is Vice President of the Cootamundra RSL.