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It
was dawn on the 25th
April 1915 that Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at
Gallipoli in Turkey, their aim was to take the peninsula this didn't
happen and the whole thing was a failure with casualties around
2000, it is believe that somewhere between 650-1000 Anzac die on that
first day of the whole Gallipoli campaign.
The
whole Gallipoli operation, however, cost 26,111 Australian
casualties, including 8,141 deaths.
The
date 25 April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916; in that year it
was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia
and New Zealand, including a commemorative march through London
involving Australian and New Zealand troops.
The
place where the troops landed on that day so long ago is now known as
Anzac Cove, on
Anzac Day 1985, "Anzac Cove" was officially
recognised by the Turkish government.
The
cove is a mere 600 metres (2,000ft) long, bounded by the headlands of
Ariburnu to
the north and Little Ariburnu , known as Hell Spit, to the south.
Following the landing at Anzac Cove, the beach became the main base
for the Australian
and
New Zealand troops for the eight months of the Gallipoli campaign.
After
the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they
felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic
links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to or dawn
ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the
1920s.
The
first official dawn service was held at the Sydney Cenotaph
in
1927, dawn services were originally very simple and followed the
operational ritual; in many cases they were restricted to veterans
only. The daytime ceremony was for families and other well-wishers
and the dawn service was for returned soldiers to remember and
reflect among the comrades with whom they shared a special bond.
In
the 1970's and 80's the popularity of Anzac Day seemed to be flaying
but from about the late 1980s, there was an international resurgence
of interest in World War I and its commemorations. Anzac Day
attendances rose in Australia and New Zealand, with young people
taking a particular interest. Nowadays thousands flock to Anzac Cove
to pay tribute to those who have died not just in the first world war
but all wars.
As
a child I remember being at my grandparents place and watching the
Anzac march with my pop, he would get really quiet at times and look
sad but as I was a child I didn't understand why he was like that. I
didn't think about the fact that he served in the second world war
and I didn't know he was a prisoner of war.
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.
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.
Dearest Jo-Anne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story, not only about those brave men in WWI but also your personal recollections about your dear Grandpa who served in WWII. So many people suffered tremendous pains as a prisoner of war or in a concentration camp or whatever. A pity is that the young people have not the slightest idea what their FREEDOM did cost. We still can remember some emotions as observed with our own eyes and heard from the mouth of a Parent or Grandparent that lived through those days...
May the hard earned FREEDOM last us a long time and God forbid that it ever will be lost again.
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Thank you, I would have loved to have known more about my pop's war service.
DeleteMy hat is off to all the brave men, especially the Anzacs who became political sacrificial lambs, with little support, little drive by the general staff, and not a lot of hope against awful odds.
ReplyDeleteYou are oh so right about those poor soldiers who died because of those who had no idea sending them to do the impossible
DeleteI had no idea... but now I will not forget...
ReplyDeleteI am glad I was able to tell you something you didn't know
DeleteThis is so poignant and a beautiful tribute to the men who fought and died for their country.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteIts a great story but a sad one.
ReplyDeleteYes it sad to think so many died and we should always remember them and all soldiers who die fighting for their country
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ReplyDelete