Gallipoli

[Ruskie]

(Trish, I think this is where Liverpool Annie originally started the thread called Gallipoli, and another thread or two were later merged with hers)

[MarieC]

Of course Gallipoli was a defining moment in nationhood for Australia and New Zealand, which is why Anzac Day is so important to both countries.

After coming home from the mid-morning march and service, I watched, as I always do, the dawn service from Gallipoli - always profoundly moving!

I think most of us realise that others died there too.  I have no direct ancestors who were at Gallipoli, but one sad little family which I have discovered since I've been researching has such a person.  Father a brilliant English chemist, mother an important Irish novelist, and seemingly a marriage beset with problems.  They had only one son, and he was killed at Gallipoli.  I think of him every Anzac Day.  In Memoriam Captain Walter John Hartley. 

MarieC

[scrimnet]

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"



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

Eric Bogle, the same chap who wrote "No Mans Land" the other seminal folk song about WW1...Strange that the two best known "modern" songs about the conflict both came from the same hand!...Waltzing Matilda was written in 1972, and No mans Land 1976.

He was actually a Scot born in Peebles who moved to Oz after meeting his wife to be whilst on tour...

http://ericbogle.net/lyrics/index.htm


As for the merge...the mods merged what they thought were "just two threads about the same thing..." The thread started by Annie was to commemorate he large numbers of others (Brits) that died there as well, to run in conjunction with the Anzac thread...

[*sparkle*]

Oh I started a thread too but I just wanted it to be somewhere for people to say who they were remembering today, not a topic for debate on the futility of war

Anyway, today I'm still thinking of John Hogg Smith and his brother Peter Hogg who emigrated to New Zealand from Roxburghshire in 1912. John joined the NZEF in 1914, and was wounded 4 days after the commencement of the gallipoli campaign; he died a week later on a hospital ship . Peter also joined up and served in France and was one of the lucky ones who returned home to Auckland, married and had a family.

[trish251]

Hi Scrimnet

Thanks for the info - appreciated - there is still to me much difference between remembering those who served and the Oz celebrations on Anzac Day. Of course there were many many more in the armed forces in UK than in Oz, and from my point of view those of us with relatives who served, whether they survived or not, remember them most of the time, not just on one day. It was always my understanding that April 25 celebrations was somewhat unique to Oz and NA. Does anyone else have a public holiday on this date?


What you want and what you get are often very different in real life Sparkle - and war is still futile.

Trish

[Sarndra]

Hi Scrimnet

Thanks for the info - appreciated - there is still to me much difference between remembering those who served and the Oz celebrations on Anzac Day. Of course there were many many more in the armed forces in UK than in Oz, and from my point of view those of us with relatives who served, whether they survived or not, remember them most of the time, not just on one day. It was always my understanding that April 25 celebrations was somewhat unique to Oz and NA. Does anyone else have a public holiday on this date?


What you want and what you get are often very different in real life Sparkle - and war is still futile.

Trish

The war forged both Australia and New Zealand's identities as countries in their own right independant of Britain as they were really both still in infancy (NZ more so) and also a combined comaraderie between Australia and NZ....this is why it is important.  For the size of both countries their losses by percentage of soldiers to each country's populaton was massive compared to the larger countries.  It is for these reasons it is not just a flippant 'public holiday'. 

Now ANZAC day incorporates so much more and is a reminder to both Aussies and Kiwis of our current gallant forces, including non combative peacekeepers and making younger generations aware of yes, the futility of war and waste of lives...but unfortunately war will always be with us and we can at least be proud of the sacrifices our soldiers have made and will make.

A saying my great grandmother (1886-1961) used to have whenever a boy was born into the family.... "another little bullet for the next war"

Remembering:
Great Aunt Jose's first husband Len (WWII)
http://sarndra.com/jose.html

and Great  Uncle Peter (Korean War)
http://sarndra.com/peter.html

Sarndra
www.sarndra.com

[scrimnet]

Actually for ANZAC day I am wearing my NZ rugger top today (it is friday, and I'm in the office!! Errr... doing sport!) in memoriam for the day. I almost put on some WW1 kit that I have....to show solidarity, but the Lemon Squeezer hat wouldn't draw the correct comments....

Only ONE person has come up to me and said "oooh... ANZAC day"

We don't have a public holiday here...In fact apart from Remembrance Sunday there is nothing...

There has been some talk of an "Armed Forces Day", but I expect that this will come to nought...

We have one family member on the Port Moresby memorial...

[Mr. MIGKY]

Images removed as it may infringe copy rights

THE SONG SAYS IT ALL

CLICK HERE

[MarieC]

The war forged both Australia and New Zealand's identities as countries in their own right independant of Britain as they were really both still in infancy (NZ more so) and also a combined comaraderie between Australia and NZ....this is why it is important.  For the size of both countries their losses by percentage of soldiers to each country's populaton was massive compared to the larger countries.  It is for these reasons it is not just a flippant 'public holiday'. 

Now ANZAC day incorporates so much more and is a reminder to both Aussies and Kiwis of our current gallant forces, including non combative peacekeepers and making younger generations aware of yes, the futility of war and waste of lives...but unfortunately war will always be with us and we can at least be proud of the sacrifices our soldiers have made and will make.

Beautifully said, Sarndra!  I completely agree, and I think this is how most Aussies who attend the services (can't speak for Kiwis!  ) feel!

MarieC