A heartfelt military procession unfolded along Perth’s St George’s Terrace, honouring the late Arthur Leggett, the last surviving World War II prisoner of war from Western Australia. This event marked the first military state funeral in the region in over 60 years, with local residents invited to line the streets to express their respects for the 106-year-old veteran.
The streets were closed for three hours as a significant number of West Australians gathered to pay tribute to Leggett. Beginning from Mill Street, the procession featured a riderless horse, symbolising a fallen soldier, and included two guards from the Royal Western Australia Regiment, a bearer party, a gun tractor and carriage, and the WA Army Band. The procession stretched approximately 950 metres to St George’s Cathedral, with the number of steps taken by the soldiers designed to parallel the kilometres Leggett endured during his captivity.
As the procession passed, countless members of the public joined in, following the troops along the terrace. This moment was accompanied by a flyover from the Royal Australian Air Force and the tolling of St George’s Cathedral’s tenor bell, which sounded 106 times in honour of the veteran’s life. The day held profound significance for attendees, many of whom designated it as an emotional and memorable occasion, reflecting on Leggett’s legacy and service.