About the author...



Peter Barnes was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1953.  His education included the
Queen Street Public Primary School, followed by five years at Ballarat Central Technical
School, and he then completed one year at the School of Mines Ballarat. He moved to
Melbourne to work in 1972.  To cut a long story short, Peter's career eventually saw him
attain the roles of general manager and creative director with leading advertising agencies.
Peter has lived and worked in the Northern Territory and now resides in South Australia.
Today, he is self-employed in sales and advises on advertising and marketing.



The heroes song was created from his experience in visiting the Adelaide River War Cemetery (114 kms
south of Darwin) in the Northern Territory and seeing the graves of Australians who gave their lives in the service
and defence of their country.  Peter felt he should do something within his capabilities to honour the memory of
such incredible sacrifice.

There are 432 servicemen and 63
civilians buried in the cemetery -
the civilians were killed during
Japanese bombing raids.

Adelaide River, during World
War II, was a major military
centre for 80,000 Australian and
United States troops.

The war cemetery is also the
final resting place for 1 Canadian
and 26 British servicemen.

If you are intending to go to the
Northern Territory, take some
time to visit the Adelaide River
War Cemetery.

Peter  was particularly moved by
one plaque at the war cemetery,
which had the words "To live in
the hearts of those we love is
not to die".









There are many songs that focus on war service by Australians.  Some are anti-war, lamenting the waste
of life, like Eric Bogle's 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'.   Some songs focus on a particular war or
conflict, like John Schumann's 'I Was Only 19', which focuses on the Vietnam War.  Many songs include
ANZAC, and focus on the Gallipoli campaign.

'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?' is different in many aspects.  Being timeless, it covers all
wars and conflicts Australians have served in, and those that serve today.  The song is stirring, uplifting and
memorable.

Many Australians who lost their lives in war weren't thinking they could save the world or defeat evil
regimes.  As in the trenches of France, and the patrols in Vietnam, or on the Kokoda Track, Australians were
looking after their mates alongside them.   Many Australian veterans march on ANZAC Day in memory of their
mates left behind, and the ones that have passed on before them.

Click here to download the song (CD quality mp3 in full length).  Don't miss this opportunity to have
your own copy of the song at no cost.  To download you must right click on 'Click here' and then click on
'Save Target As...'  Then choose a folder on your computer where you want the mp3 file downloaded to.

The author allows the song to be used for free for commemorative purposes. You can contact Peter by
email here

Click here to go to home page.

ANZAC Day - April 25

Remembrance Day - November 11

Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?

Concept, title, lyrics and copyright owner (author) of the song: Peter Barnes

Singer & music composition: Darren Mullan

Spoken words voice: David Hill

The song was produced and recorded at Quentin Eyers Music in 2001