Ian
Well-known member
On the 25th April Australian's around the world will stop and reflect on ANZAC Day. Here is what the Australian War Memorial has to say about what it means...
"What is ANZAC Day?
ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
Why is this day so special to Australians?
When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future."
Here is what my sister has written about ANZAC Day and our Dad.
A letter to our dad on ANZAC Day
Dear Dad, it?s that special day again.
How many times we would see you go quietly into your private memories, taking a moment to remember those who didn?t return, all the time wondering why you did.
No one can imagine the horrors you saw, heard and felt in battle and as your ship was bombed while you were at sea protecting your beloved country, Australia.
How proud you look in the photos marching down the streets of London and on the deck of H.M.A.S. Australia with your mates.
Some of your mates are still here and they will march for you as you did so many years for lost mates.
We will still watch, share the remembrance and hold you that bit closer in our hearts while remembering how difficult ANZAC Day was for you.
For all we enjoy today . . . we thank you and your mates.
Dad we will remember you ~ Lest we forget.
Written with love by Marjory Rowley
Daughter of Merv ( Ted) Loxton 1917~ 1999
For more on this story please see http://loxtons.ismyfamily.org
In the attached picture, Dad is the one to the far left with the hat on, he was an Officer's Steward amongst other things.
[edit]Edited by Ned to fix broken URL[/edit] Thanks Ned, beat me to it
"What is ANZAC Day?
ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
Why is this day so special to Australians?
When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future."
Here is what my sister has written about ANZAC Day and our Dad.
A letter to our dad on ANZAC Day
Dear Dad, it?s that special day again.
How many times we would see you go quietly into your private memories, taking a moment to remember those who didn?t return, all the time wondering why you did.
No one can imagine the horrors you saw, heard and felt in battle and as your ship was bombed while you were at sea protecting your beloved country, Australia.
How proud you look in the photos marching down the streets of London and on the deck of H.M.A.S. Australia with your mates.
Some of your mates are still here and they will march for you as you did so many years for lost mates.
We will still watch, share the remembrance and hold you that bit closer in our hearts while remembering how difficult ANZAC Day was for you.
For all we enjoy today . . . we thank you and your mates.
Dad we will remember you ~ Lest we forget.
Written with love by Marjory Rowley
Daughter of Merv ( Ted) Loxton 1917~ 1999
For more on this story please see http://loxtons.ismyfamily.org
In the attached picture, Dad is the one to the far left with the hat on, he was an Officer's Steward amongst other things.
[edit]Edited by Ned to fix broken URL[/edit] Thanks Ned, beat me to it
