The Australian divisions and the New Zealanders had become what they were to remain for the rest of the war – the spearhead of the British Army.
John Terraine, British Military Historian
Today is Anzac Day, a date which has huge meaning for the people of New Zealand and Australia. At the beginning of World War I both nations raised great volunteer armies, making up a large percentage of their adult male populations, and sent them off to fight. In the bitter Gallipoli Campaign, the attempt by the Allies to take the Dardanelles from the Turks, conquer Constantinople and open up a supply line to Russia via the Black Sea, the Anzac troops distinguished themselves by their stubborn courage and resourcefulness. Although the Gallipoli campaign ultimately ended in failure, the Australian and New Zealand troops came out it with a reputation as hard fighters, shock troops, a reputation they earned time and again on battlefields throughout World Wars I and II. American veterans I have talked to who fought with Australian and New Zealand troops have repeatedly told me that they could ask for no finer fighters to have at their side in a battle.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon
A patriot is a patriot is a patriot is a patriot.
One particular School Principal sent out a memo to parents that their children could opt out of the ANZAC Service School Assembly which every school conducts. The backlash was enormous and the Department of Education stepped in and forced her to apologise. I’m not sure if she has been stood down…
The State Premiere has recently legislated ANZAC Day as a public holiday (it used to only require retail outlets to be closed up until midday)…it’s the small things government is having to do to “force” the respect instead of people naturally showing respect…
With the amount of immigration Australia has had over the past few decades, immigrant parents aren’t teaching their children to be appreciative of ANZAC Day and the sacrifices the day commemorates. This is particularly true of some parts of the Muslim community who see ANZAC Day as the day Australians and New Zealanders killed Turks. Which of course is idiotic. They immigrate here because their country has no order or democracy…yet they insult the values their new country has afforded them…go figure.
My parents were immigrants. My dad insisted on us respecting the day when I was growing up…times have changed…sadly…
I always loved this part:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Lest We Forget.
Thank you Don.
Galipoli – the blooding of two emerging nations. My maternal grandfather, Don Piper, & great uncle Eustace Nicholson landed in the afternoon of that fateful day. Pop Piper was there till the evacuation, but Uncle Eustie was wounded in November & evacuated.
Returned to England where they regrouped & were sent off to France for the next two years, and were joined – in different theatres – by Ted Nicholson – Eustace’s younger brother, and my dad’s oldest brother George Beckett. They all retuned home – Uncle George in a hospital ship because he was gassed, & had only one lung till he died at age 93. Pop Piper was wounded at Ypres and retuned home at the end of 1917, but the stress & poor food of those hard years weakened his heart causing his death at age 68.
Uncle Ted died at age 73, & Uncle Eustie at age 86. They bred them tough in those days.
Lest we forget.
“They bred them tough in those days.”
Amen DB. God Bless your family who fought bravely.