Centennary of ANZAC
Posted: 25 Apr 2015, 08:42
For those (few) brethren from the Colonies...
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing by those who have become known as the ANZACs - Australia's first foray into military conflict as a newly formed nation (post Federation in 1901). Obviously it must be noted that the Australian Imperial Force did not fight alone nor in greater numbers than other Allied forces including those from New Zealand, Britain, France, Canada and India.
For the first time in memory I attended a dawn service today, dragging the two bleary eyed kids (and wife) along with me. After recently reading several books on the Gallipoli campaign, the Australian involvement on the western front and most recently Tobruk, I felt it was time that I took myself and probably more importantly my daughters, along to a service this year.
One thing I often reflect on is the lack of military historical content in the curriculum when I attended school (now 20 years ago). Only recently, have I started to piece together some very basic understanding after picking up some books (of which I'm becoming a prolific reader!!).
I'm sure for most of those on here it's probably well understood (if that is possible of war) as it was fought on your own doorsteps, however the Dominions were far removed from these theatres and the Australian curriculum seems to have been sanitized while I was at school.
I've often listened to songs with some reverence, yet always lacking any understanding behind their true meaning (other than the graphic imagery). I guess one thing as a parent that I must do is educate myself as to that meaning so that I may impart it upon my children...
So to the Ode:
"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.
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing by those who have become known as the ANZACs - Australia's first foray into military conflict as a newly formed nation (post Federation in 1901). Obviously it must be noted that the Australian Imperial Force did not fight alone nor in greater numbers than other Allied forces including those from New Zealand, Britain, France, Canada and India.
For the first time in memory I attended a dawn service today, dragging the two bleary eyed kids (and wife) along with me. After recently reading several books on the Gallipoli campaign, the Australian involvement on the western front and most recently Tobruk, I felt it was time that I took myself and probably more importantly my daughters, along to a service this year.
One thing I often reflect on is the lack of military historical content in the curriculum when I attended school (now 20 years ago). Only recently, have I started to piece together some very basic understanding after picking up some books (of which I'm becoming a prolific reader!!).
I'm sure for most of those on here it's probably well understood (if that is possible of war) as it was fought on your own doorsteps, however the Dominions were far removed from these theatres and the Australian curriculum seems to have been sanitized while I was at school.
I've often listened to songs with some reverence, yet always lacking any understanding behind their true meaning (other than the graphic imagery). I guess one thing as a parent that I must do is educate myself as to that meaning so that I may impart it upon my children...
So to the Ode:
"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.