Anzac day 2014

graham (chickenman) · Senior Member

Anzac day 2014

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

graham (chickenman) · Senior Member

Every Anzac day my uncle George is on my desk top of my computer!!

NeilandRaine · Guru

A bit of my Heritage
My mothers Paternal uncle

Roll of Honour - William Henry Oakley
Service Number: 356
Rank: Private
Unit: 12th Battalion (Infantry)
Service: Australian Army
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Date of death: 25 April 1915
Place of death: Gallipoli, Ottoman Empire
Cause of death: Killed in action
Age at death: 20
Place of association: Waratah, Australia

My mothers Maternal Uncle

Roll of Honour - John Henry Martin
Service Number: 3359
Rank: Private
Unit: 40th Battalion (Infantry)
Service: Australian Army
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Date of death: 30 August 1918
Place of death: France
Cause of death: Killed in action
Age at death: 29
Place of association: Waratah, Australia

As well my mothers Father (Granddad) served and lost an eye on The Somme, my Father was in the 9th div in Africa and New Guinea

graham (chickenman) · Senior Member

Neil, so sad how many young lives were lost through war on both sides, when are we going to learn?

graham (chickenman) · Senior Member

Its sad on Anzac day of no mention of the south Pacific islanders being mentioned as the kanakas (nee vanuatu) from Vanuatu, Solomon islands and Fiji who fought beside the Australians and the Kiwi's? in ww1 and ww2.

As to have travelled to Port Vila 8 times, there is a monument on a hill overlooking the harbour with the names of the kanakas or nee Vanuatu on a list. from both big wars

In Brisbane app 12 yrs ago app 6 ex service men from Vanutau marched proudly in the march in the city.

I thank these islanders as well as our own men and women for the freedom we have in Australia today.

Pejay · Guru

For Anzac Day this year we decided to head to Esk Qld for a week of exploring, and an unexpected treat yesterday (Thursday) was a visit to the Kilcoy Races for a Diggers Race Meeting - what a lovely day! Didn't win a thing or race, but had fun picking a few. They also had a small ceremony with the guys from 8/9 RAR based at Enoggera who bought up four of the Bushmaster carriers in which later in the day were giving the young kids a whirl around the car park, along with a contingent of guys to swell the numbers - a very enjoyable day.

This morning it was off to the Dawn Service followed by a Gunfire Breakfast, then the main march and service. Might add that this was preceded by a fly-over of an FA18 by the look of it. It was a special time for us as hubby got to march with one of his cousins, and I got to wear the replica minatures of my Great Uncle killed on 25 April 1915 at Gallipoli. I might add I never knew my father had these medals and it wasn't until after his passing that I found them - I wore them with pride.

I hope everyone else enjoyed there day today, and thank you for your service to this great country of ours - Australia

Edit: Forgot to attach a couple of photos

-- Edited by Pejay on Friday 25th of April 2014 01:49:41 PM

barina · Guru

What a great day out for you..... smile

milo · Guru

My Dads Uncle died at Lone Pine ,think from memory he was only 18 or so..
but we should never forget all the other wars too.

graham (chickenman) · Senior Member

Yes Milo, I say if they had there lives over again, they do it again? Bloddy proud to be born a Aussie, maybe a dronger, or a rat bag its what being aussie is about.

Zoomtopz · Guru

Did the Sydney ANZAC March this year .

Was great to catch up with some old Shipmates & friends.

"We Will remember Them . Lest We Forget"

Eagle · Newbie

I'm not much for the official services so every year I go up onto a local headland at 4 30 am and await the dawn . I try to think how those young men might have felt but all I can say is THANK YOU.

ANZAC DAY 2014

I spent an hour at dawn today upon the headland bare

I paid respect in my own way and offered up a prayer

I thought of all those young men who had fought to keep us free

and but for the grace of God I realised that could have once been me.

The waves crashed on the beach below the wind brought an eerie chill

I bowed my head in silent prayer as time seemingly stood still.

I tried to place myself back beneath the suns first amber glow

But I not imagine what they felt when the cry rang out to go.

So I stood and just said thank you for the sacrifice they made

though it felt so insufficient for those lives with which they paid..

Ill go and watch them march today with their ever thinning ranks

and though it sounds so little in return Ill simply just say Thanks.

Lest We Forget.

Vic41 · Guru

Eagle wrote:

I'm not much for the official services so every year I go up onto a local headland at 4 30 am and await the dawn . I try to think how those young men might have felt but all I can say is THANK YOU.

ANZAC DAY 2014

I spent an hour at dawn today upon the headland bare
I paid respect in my own way and offered up a prayer
I thought of all those young men who had fought to keep us free
and but for the grace of God I realised that could have once been me.

The waves crashed on the beach below the wind brought an eerie chill
I bowed my head in silent prayer as time seemingly stood still.
I tried to place myself back beneath the suns first amber glow
But I not imagine what they felt when the cry rang out to go.

So I stood and just said thank you for the sacrifice they made
though it felt so insufficient for those lives with which they paid..
Ill go and watch them march today with their ever thinning ranks
and though it sounds so little in return Ill simply just say Thanks.

Lest We Forget.

Great poem Eagle, did you write it? If so might pay to show it as copyright.... smile

ozjohn · Guru

Jane and I spent Anzac Day in Vung Tau Vietnam.
We're still there. I'm enjoying the cheap cold beer while Jane enjoys the CHEAP shopping, facials, body scrubs, massages etc.
On the down side it's very hot and extremely humid.
Cheers, Ozjohn.