For 88-year-old World War II veteran, Athol Graham, it was a proud moment as he marched alongside sons Colin and Russell and grandson Giles.

Born and educated in Ararat, commemorating Anzac Day is always a priority for Mr Graham.

“I’m proud that at 88 I am still able to march,” Mr Graham said.

“I’ve marched in all the Anzac Day marches since returning from service in the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces in Japan.”

Enlisting as an 18-year-old in 1943 Mr Graham trained at Point Cook before being posted to active service in the Pacific region for the war.

He spent most of 1946 and part of 1947 in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces and returned to Ararat in 1947.

Marching alongside Mr Graham were his two sons, Colin and Russell.

Colin, a Warrant Officer in the Army Reserve, is a retired police officer who spent 23 years in the police force in Perth, and is now working for a large milk producer in Leongatha.

Russell, former controller of the State Emergency Service in Ararat, who was integral to the formation of the SES headquarters in High Street, works at Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat.

Also marching alongside his father Colin, uncle and grandfather was Giles Graham, who has recently returned from two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

“He wanted to march with me and flew from Perth for the march,” Mr Graham said.

“It was a wonderful day together for us all.”