Dallas Stow lost two mates in Vietnam, after they had completed their training together at Puckapunyal. For the 64-year-old veteran, who still works in Defence as a civilian, Anzac Day is about honouring their memory.

In past years, as the dawn service became busier, he decided to escape the crowds by cycling to the War Memorial, walking up Mount Ainslie, and watching and listening from above, with a flask of coffee and a ration of rum for warmth.

"It's a lot quieter, better for reflection, better for remembering them," Mr Stow said.

This year a knee reconstruction meant he could not enjoy his usual escape. But, loaded up with painkillers, he still came to watch the march and place poppies by his friends' names. "For those two guys, and their memory, and what they might have gone on and achieved … while I can do it, in the sun, I'll enjoy the sun for them, and enjoy life for them," he said.

Craftsman Shaun Nicolaas from the School of Armour volunteered to bring the three vehicles that concluded the march - a reminder of continuing involvements in conflicts around the world - to Canberra from his base at Puckapunyal in Victoria.

A Canberra boy originally, Craftsman Nicolaas was keen to take the opportunity to spend Anzac Day with family. It was his first with his seven-month-old daughter, who was born while he was in Afghanistan.

Later in the day, he planned to visit the War Memorial and place a poppy beside the names of mates lost during his eight years of service. ''It means a great deal personally. It's generally quite an emotional day as well,'' he said. ''It's always a good time to reflect and to remember all the mates that aren't around any more to enjoy it and have a beer on their behalf. It's a big day.''

Seven-year-old Davey Sheffield was looking forward to Anzac Day for more than a week, according to his mother Violet Boyson.

The pair arrived for the dawn service shortly after 4am and were back again to watch the mid-morning march and place a poppy in the memorial.

"I've never been to the dawn service and I was really excited," said Davey, who was wearing a camouflage military tracksuit that his mum had sewn military patches on to the night before.

Davey put his poppy next to the HMAS Vampire, which he had visited at the National Maritime Museum in Sydney, and which a distance relative had once captained.

"It stopped the midget submarines that tried to come in to Sydney Harbour," he said.