Anzac Day

We went into Walcha, the nearest town (30 kms away), for Anzac Day and visited the war memorial park where a service was just finishing. Anzac Day is celebrated on 25 April each year which is the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (along with other British forces) invaded Gallipoli in 1915. This young man is a member of the friends of the Australian Lighthorse who were participating in the service. He is kitted out as a lighthorse infantryman. The lighthorse were part of the Anzac forces. Many Turkish, British, French as well as Australians and New Zealanders died in that campaign.

Neighbours on the adjoining property had Swiss visitors and found it difficult explaining why we celebrate a defeat. Perhaps we just remember the young men that gave their lives.

The most moving memorial I have seen to the Anzacs is at Anzac Cove at Gallipoli, Turkey with the words of Kemal Ataturk:-

"THOSE HEROES THAT SHED THEIR BLOOD
AND LOST THEIR LIVES ...
YOU ARE NOW LYING IN THE SOIL OF A FRIENDLY COUNTRY.
THEREFORE REST IN PEACE.
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JOHNNIES
AND THE MEHMETS TO US WHERE THEY LIE SIDE BY SIDE
HERE IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS ...
YOU, THE MOTHERS,
WHO SENT THEIR SONS FROM FAR AWAY COUNTRIES
WIPE AWAY YOUR TEARS;
YOUR SONS ARE NOW LYING IN OUR BOSOM
AND ARE IN PEACE
AFTER HAVING LOST THEIR LIVES ON THIS LAND THEY HAVE
BECOME OUR SONS AS WELL."

ATATURK, 1934