The Returned and Services League of Australia in WA (RSLWA) last week invited Trinity College Head Prefect, Nicholas Ellison, and Trinity College Pipe Major, Connor Rees, to recite the Ode and lay a wreath at an ANZAC Day sunset service on the 24 April at 5pm in Kings Park.
On this date, the RSLWA commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the Battles of Bullecourt and Lagincourt, and 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Third Battle of Passchendaele – Ypres.
The service was one of five sunset services that took place in the days leading up to ANZAC Day.
One of the servicemen they commemorated was Christian Brothers’ College (now Trinity College) Old Boy Mr Herbert Johansen Appel.
Herbert Johansen Appel, the only son of Mr and Mrs Jens Appel of Subiaco, was killed 100 years ago in 1917.
A spokesperson for Trinity College said that from the first day Herbert Appel entered the Christian Brothers’ College he was a favourite with all, teachers and students alike.
“He was a boy of charming nature, ever ready to do a good turn to his schoolmates,” the spokesperson said.
“He was wounded in May 1917 but remained on active duty.”
On 19 September 1917, Lance Corporal Herbert Johansen Appel, was wounded in action and died that same day. He was 26 years of age.
There were in total 23 brave Old Boys who died 100 years ago, during the year of 1917 in World War I.