Gallipoli

[scrimnet]

My grandfather and his brother were both at Gallipoli - I think the disentery which caused my gf to be shipped out may be one the reasons I'm here today (my father was yet to be sired!).

I always used to think of Gallipoli and Suvla Bay in particular (where my gf was) as an ANZAC "show". but know now there we far more Brits fighting and dying there and I think that's often forgotten and we shouldn't forget those lions led by donkeys - which I really think was the case in that theatre.

I agree with all there, apart from the phrase I have highlighted...I have written on this previously on another thread...This was a political statement originated by Lloyd George for his own means, and perpetuated by Alan Clarke in the 1960s with his book of the same name...

May I commend Mud Blood and Poppycock by Gordon Corrigan?

[spof]

Before this thread any more off topic, I've been trying to find my photo of the memorial Liverpool Annie quoted:


There is a Memorial commemorating the loss of thousands of soldiers in Gallipoli.

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours…
You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.
Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

Mustafa Kemal

but since I reorganised everything recently, I can't find it so I'll leave you with the "Daughter of LonePine" which is (cough) supposedly grown from seeds of the original pine tree standing on the site of one of the costliest battles of the campaign....

Image Resized

[scrimnet]

This one?

[scrimnet]

Or this one?

[Ruskie]

A search you may be interested in following on the Australian board:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=300953.new#new

[Ruskie]

An interesting article:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23592936-5007146,00.html

[trish251]

A song to commemorate the slain and the injured...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3pU7rsim3E

meles

Hi Meles

I have this song on my C&W cds (should I admit to having such a CD) - I cry always when it plays - I well realise why we have days of remembrance - but this song should be compulsory listening for those who celebrate war. I think it was written in the Vietnam era.

And thank you for the link Ruskie - aptly entitled "Lest we forget the futility of war"

I have a letter written by my great grandfather - explaining, that like everyone else, he gave a child to the great war (his oldest, after whom my mother is named). It was repeated in the next generation. May my child's generation  have the courage to find the alternatives. We didn't seem to manage it. If celebrating a day of  remembrance helps to achieve this - we shall all eventually rest in peace.

Trish

Edit: I didn't realise we'd moved outside of the Oz board - I thought I was talking about Anzac day - which does truly relate to Australia & New Zealand - not impressed with the merge

[Sarndra]

Heroes of Gallipoli film from Auckland Museum website.  Original rare film taken at Gallipoli

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/127/anzac-day/#heroes

Then trawl the Cenotaph database to find your Kiwi soldier ancestors
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/?t=130

Cheers
Sarnda
www.sarndra.com

[Ferdi]

Of course all Australians should realize that there were others, Brits and French, and others, at Gallipolli.  (And some English know nothing of the campaign, http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,297789.15.html).  But the Brits have and had been fighting wars for hundreds of years, but this was the first action Australians, as a Unified Nation (and with such a small population), were engaged in, albeit British citizens, not Australian.  Similarly the Hellfire Pass in Thailand is an Australian War Memorial (similar in psyche to eg Andersonville in USA), but as such should not be taken to exclude the UK and Netherland, and other, prisoners.

It is not Glorifying war to remember on this Remembrance Friday those who died, and suffered, horribly.  From so many Nations.    (Obviously this includes New Zealanders.)

To put it simply it is abhorent to suggest that yesterday's Commenorative Remembrance Service to the Crews of the HMAS Sydney (and HKS Kormoran), and the principal, the Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd, were Glorifying war.