Australia and New Zealand commemorates ANZAC Day on April 25th each year. It is our secular "holiest" day. The day commemorates the sacrifice of troops of the combined Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in World War One and of Australians and New Zealanders who fought in all later wars.
The following are songs and photos I've put together to remember them.
Anzacs (or 'diggers') at Gallipoli in a rare quiet moment in 1915. Pete's Grandfather was there, at the field Hospital, which was constantly shelled by the Turks, because the Turks knew ammunition was actually being stored in some of those tents... Much safer for the wounded to be taken to nearby ships and then to nearby islands, like Lemnos.
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My Grandfather, Staff Sergeant G. Leo A Coates, working at the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, Mudros, Lemnos. 1915. He's doing an X-ray of a bullet in the soldier's leg. My grandfather copped a lot of X-rays (decades later died of cancer) as there was no lead operator shielding, only a canvas curtain. My grandfather then shifted to Gallipoli later in 1915.(Donor Royal Australasian College of Surgeons - Photo courtesy AWM Archive Store).
There is a myth that true Anzacs were and are all front line infantry. Some other occupations were more dangerous than infantry. Pilots and aircrew often suffered the highest casualties of any service. Sailors, in particular submariners, were often in the greatest danger both from the enemy and also from accidents. Here is the Navy Hymn for Submariners.
Here and above the hymn Abide With Me is traditionally sung at ANZAC Day services. The singer is Hayley Westernra from Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Iconic Vietnam War photo by Michael Coleridge. Diggers of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR, waiting for Iroquois helicopters to land and return them back Nui Dat at the end of an operation.
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The song I Was Only 19 (by that under-appreciated Australian group Redgum) is in memory of Australians who fought, died and were injured in Vietnam (early 1960s to 1972).
Here and above. I think Eric Bogle’s The Green Fields of France (also known as "No Man's Land" and "Willie McBride) (above) is the best anti-war song ever written. As a haunting poem, march, song of love and injustice it is a fitting anthem to remember the men and women, living and dead, who are our people, our Anzacs.
The Ode For The Fallen (lines 13 to 16) - here and above.
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