Fed: Thousands bring a smile to Anzac Day's "royalty"

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Fed: Thousands bring a smile to Anzac Day's "royalty"

The crowds turning out for Anzac Day have touched old and young hearts alike, makingcentury-old Diggers feel like royalty.

A veteran who headed the Brisbane parade -- 104-year-old ERIC ABRAHAM -- says he feelslike the Queen.

And another 104-year-old there -- TED SMOUT -- says children are turning up in theirthousands because they're more interested as they're learning Australian history.

The pair -- among just 17 Australian survivors of World War I -- say they hope thatas their numbers dwindle the Anzac ideals of mateship, courage and humour in adversityare passed on to new generations.

Many centres around the country have reported record crowds.

And 103-year-old ALEC CAMPBELL -- the last Australian survivor of the Gallipoli campaign-- was mobbed by scouts and cubs trying to shake his hand as he was driven at the headof the Hobart parade.

At the Turkish beach where the Anzacs landed -- Governor-General PETER HOLLINGWORTHhas paid tribute to them.

In western Thailand, former POWs gathered to remember mates who perished on Japan'sBurma railway.

And in Port Moresby, more than 300 Australians and New Zealanders have paid tributeto the men they called the fuzzy wuzzy angels -- who saved countless Australian liveson the Kokoda Trail in World War Two.

AAP RTV dc/sp/ge/rp

KEYWORD: ANZAC (SYDNEY)