Today is ANZAC Day. The acronym ANZAC originally stood for the Australian New Zealand Army Corps who fought and died at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Today ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who lost their lives in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operation and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.Traditionally The Ode is recited on ANZAC Day during the services, as it is on Remembrance Day and at funerals of Defence Force personnel. It Ode comes from 'For the Fallen' a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon. Often only the last verse here is recited but this year I have noticed that these two verses were recited at the Dawn Services in France and in Gallipoli, Turkey.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
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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 not grow 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.
Customarily we also repeat 'We will remember them' in response.
It is an emotional day for me because my grandfather fought in WWI and during WWII my father was a prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years in harsh conditions in Germany and Austria, being one of the Aussies captured in Greece. After being liberated at the end of the war he was 'rehabilitated' in England by the Army then allowed to spend some time with his Scottish family who worked hard to fatten him up so he was strong enough to stand the voyage home to Australia. Upon his return home this 5ft 10inch man had been fattened up enough to weigh 6 stone! Because of the hardships suffered he died when I was just 24 years old and I miss him still.
"Lest we forget"
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I'ts always a sad day on ANZAC day for our family also as it reminds me of my Grandfather who fought in the 2/17th AIF during WW2. He rarely spoke about the war but I have memories of him bringing out his medals to polish once a year to wear in either the local or Sydney march. Each year I attend the dawn service and then get home in time to watch the Sydney march. Thanks for sharing about your families war history.
ReplyDeleteIndyPoppy
My dad didn't speak much of the war either. When my brother asked once about some details Dad told him 'You don't want to know'. My brother insisted that yes, he did and Dad simply said "No. You don't" in a tone that we knew meant business. He did tell of some of the amusing things that the pow's got up to in the pow camp and he loved 'Hogan's Heroes' - he said that they obviously had advisers who had been POWs because some of the stories were based on real events, though turned into comedy of course. One of the returned men said that several of them owed their lives to Dad because when things were bad in the camp he would keep their spirits up and make them keep going. We can be very proud of our Diggers!
DeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your post. Reading the words of the Ode brought a tear to my eye.
It is an emotional day when we think of those that have served for our country. Thanks to your Father and Grandfather for putting their lives on the line to make the path for the great country that is ours.
My Grandfather enlisted but was requested to stay as he was in a manufacturing business that could help with the war. My Great Grandfather fought in the Some in WW1 and died soon after returning home from related injuries.My Great Grandmother died not long after leaving my Grandfather an orphan. Times were so much harder then and I only hope that ANZAC day helps our young ones appreciate all those that give their lives for our country.
Fi x
It always touches me deeply too Fi, and the Last Post brings me to tears. I'm sure that most Australian families have been impacted by the tragedy of WWI and WWII, and it is good that we never forget the sacrifices that those generations made for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today.
DeleteMy father served in the 2/8th AIF and was first in the Middle East then Darwin before going to New Guinea. He was overseas for most of the war. I grew up listening to his stories. I have the greatest respect for all servicemen and women who gave their all for our chance for a safe and peaceful life. Lest We Forget.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Vicki.
Vicki, Dad served in the Middle East too before going on to Greece where he was captured. It is yet another similarity in our histories vbg. Dad stayed in the Army to serve out his 20 years and I grew up among servicemen (not many women in those days). Yes, I have enormous respect for them too. Lest We Forget indeed.
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