# Lest we forget: ANZAC Day 2005 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 24, 2005, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853 "2005-04-24T12:45:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/1 "2005-04-24T12:45:10Z")
In a little over an hour, it will be April 25th, a day known to Australians and New Zealanders as ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day’s origins are in the terrible losses sustained by Australian and New Zealand troops during the landing and subsequent battle at Gallipoli on April 25th, 1915. As time passed it became a day of remembrance, a time to reflect upon the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand service personnel, at war and at peace, home and abroad. For many, the actions of Australian troops in World War I helped to define our nation as independent of Britain; to coin a cliche, the birth of a nation. For me, ANZAC Day is a time to think about those who perished at war, and those who came home forever changed. It is also a time to reflect upon how civilians are affected by war. Those whose husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters will never come home. It is also a time to be thankful for the freedoms we have in this country, freedoms that come from the sacrifices and determination of Australian troops in times of adversity. It is also, particularly, a time for me to think about members currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. Now more than ever, Australian troops are involved in war-like activities in areas that are not officially at war. To my untrained, civilian mind, this is far more volatile than being in a war zone. ADF members go overseas expecting to keep the peace - some come home wounded or dead. World politics change quickly, local feelings towards foreign peacekeepers change even quicker. It’s a dangerous, difficult job. Our troops live in difficult times. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every soldier, sailor and airman, be they currently serving, or ex-members. I am proud of you, and believe our country is a better place because of what you do. The Ode: 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. Lest we forget. ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/2 "2005-04-24T14:15:02Z")
Thank you to all my Australian brothers and sisters in arms, past and present. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/3 "2005-04-24T19:33:36Z")
I didn’t attend the Dawn Service this year. I normally do, but it is now getting so crowded. I’ll hold my own service at home. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/4 "2005-04-24T19:54:05Z")
I visited Australia about 20 years ago. Just outside of Melbourne there was a stretch of highway where they had planted a tree for every Aussie soldier killed in WWI. They lined both sides of the road, and as we drove along, the trees just seemed to go on for mile after mile after mile. It was one of the most amazing and horrifying things I have ever seen. As far as a war memorial goes… it sure as hell made it’s point. ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/5 "2005-04-24T21:21:25Z")
It won’t be long before the last WWI Digger is gone ([http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15076018-2,00.html](http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15076018-2,00.html)). It makes me wonder, for so long the ANZAC spirit has been based around the men who served there - how will it change (if at all) once the last few succumb? Max. ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/6 "2005-04-24T21:22:40Z")
Grr - try [this link](http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15076018-2,00.html). Max. ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/7 "2005-04-24T21:32:58Z")
My first wife, an Aussie, introduced me to ANZAC Day. The brave sacrifice of those men, and the idiocy that put them in harm’s way, should always be remembered! For anyone out there unfamiliar with this battle, please go find and watch the movie _Gallipoli_. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/8 "2005-04-24T21:40:27Z")
I know that today is a day for Australia, but in Canada, where I live, we have an oft-recited [poem](http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/McCrae.html) about our nation’s experience in WWI. I thought I would share it with you, in the hopes that it would resonate with your rememberance of the Australian contribution to that terrible war. ---
**Author:** ![robinc308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@robinc308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinc308)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/9 "2005-04-24T22:24:54Z")
_Waste of Blood, and waste of Tears Wast of youth’s most precious years, Waste of ways the saints have trod Waste of Glory, waste of God, War! – G.A. Studdert Kennedy_ On this day 90 years ago, at 4.29 am about 23500 young Australian and New Zealand men put ashore on a beach new Aru Brunu on the Galliploi peninsular. They were 2km off course, and hit rugged terrain and high cliffs. WIthin 8 hours, 1 in 33 was dead. Within 5 days, it was 1 in 5. In the next 8 months, almost 1% of Australia’s entire population (men, women and children) would be killed or wounded in that 10 square kilometre area on distant shores. In all, some 160000 young men from many nations - Australia, New Zealand, Brittain, Ireland, France, India and Canada would be killed in that bloody 8 months. It was the birth of a nation. Australian men, with Australian officers for the first time in history. Finally, between 18-20 December 1915, the ANZACs pulled out from what has since become known as ANZAC cove. The campaign was a disaster. Such heroism. Such loss. Such sacrifice. Today, we remember. _Far-called, our navies melt away; On dune and headland sinks the fire: Lo, all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Nineveh and Tyre! Judge of the Nations, spare us yet, Lest we forget lest we forget! – From Recessional, by R. Kipling_ ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/10 "2005-04-24T23:04:10Z")
A big “lest we forget” to all Aussie and Kiwi Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/11 "2005-04-24T23:45:05Z")
Thanks for starting this thread, **Maxxie** , and my thoughts to the folk of all the nations remembering this day and the events of 1915. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/12 "2005-04-25T01:18:36Z")
> [@Maxxxie](#): > > It won’t be long before the last WWI Digger is gone ([http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15076018-2,00.html](http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15076018-2,00.html)). It makes me wonder, for so long the ANZAC spirit has been based around the men who served there - how will it change (if at all) once the last few succumb? > Max. I don’t know that it will make much difference as Anzac Day has grown to mean more than simply the men who participated. And really, in most places there has not been a WW1 veteran attending for some years. The last soldier who served at Gallipoli died some years back, and the last first day veteran (who participated at the landing) died a few years before. Sadly, but inevitably, time is catching up with them all. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/13 "2005-04-25T01:37:32Z")
What stood out for me about ANZAC Day when I lived in Australia are the monuments to those who never came home. I found them in every town I stopped, visited and/or passed through. Big or small, each town has its own monument. And when I talked with the locals in those towns where I stopped, and later did my own reading and research, one thing stands out that I’ve never encountered in America. WWI was a devastating war to Australia and the loss of so many men from all walks of life can still be felt. I believe Australia has been left with a permanent scar with the loss of these people and the country has shown no signs of recovering. I will never forget. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/14 "2005-04-25T04:56:38Z")
I didn’t attend the Dawn Service this year. Instead I sang at a lovely Requiem mass where we prayed for the repose of the souls of all Australian servicemen and women who have given their lives over the years. We got a very large congregation too, which was gratifying. ---
**Author:** ![robinc308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@robinc308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinc308)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/15 "2005-04-25T06:47:38Z")
I had lunch with my grandparents today. I left with the most precious of cargo. A copy of my great grandfather’s diary. Naturally, I flicked to the 25th April. > [@H. G. Watson](#): > > **April 24** > Leave Lemnos ??? for the Dardanelles. Expect to be in Constaninople in hrs/months: Arrived off mouth of Dardanelles at 4.30pm. Can hear heavy firing; haze of smoke all over hills. We are to land at 2AM tomorrow, our rifles are all charged; expect very heavy fighting to take place. I have made my will in Pay Books. All my bank OK in Bank of NSW Burwood to go to my mother. 8pm Submarine A15 ran ashore at Gallipoli. Turks tortured the sailors to death. One man was seen on the beach with his limbs broke, eyes gouged out. We have been told to fight to the last cartridge then if in fear of capture to puyt that into ourselves. We have one and all sworn to murder and Turk we get. > > **April 25** > At 1am, officers have told us that any prisoners we take are to be fed out of our own rations!! This means “no live prisoners” 5AM 3rd brigate of 5000 Austns are landed. Heavy rifle fire going on. 12 warships are bombarding the forts and batteries with good results, we are to land in half an hour. I feel shaky but OK and fit to do as my bit to revenge E15. > > Very heavy gihting Sunday (all things seem to happen on Sundays). > **On land** > Warships bombarding and 7000 men are storming the coast of Turkey. Gillope or Gallipoli. A boat has just come along side us with 2 dead, 15 wounded Austns. Shells from the forts are falling all around us, but no hits. > **9am** > We leave boat under heavy shrapnel fire ??? elation. Dead men mounded all round us. Austn casualties 2000 for day. Turks 6000. The place is alive and one green hill full so like an ant heap with dead and dying soldiers. We are dug in under heavy fire. A shell missing our betallion by inches. > > **April 26** > I am hardened now and quite used to seeing awful sights & they are awful. Men with heads and arms blown off and shrieking with pain. We sleep under the hill. I plan to transcribe the lot. ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/16 "2005-04-25T06:52:55Z")
> [@robinc308](#): > > I plan to transcribe the lot. I hope you do. This is indeed a very personal account of the life of a soldier at the front. I think that in the absence of these types of stories, the Australian people as a whole may lose touch with what happened. Please keep posting his entries. Max. ---
**Author:** ![robinc308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@robinc308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinc308)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/17 "2005-04-25T08:50:38Z")
Well, there’s one entry, if anyone can help me translate, I would be most aprrecitative: > [@](#): > > General inspection reviews of Brigade by Generals. Signs of leaving for the front within 2 weeks. Hope so: “Sa yayona tiko I loma ka owe sa mati vei oko lai lai” Probably so far, the bit that has moved me most was this: > [@](#): > > Our 3rd Bde of 5000 men Austns was mostly wiped out. There will be some aching hearts when the fiat goes out. Aching hearts indeed. I’m only up to April 28, but my heart already aches. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/18 "2005-04-25T08:56:58Z")
I was at my first Dawn Service this morning - the hush was spooky, the sense of it reminding me of the walk along the Vietnam Memorial in DC. Very moving. Lest we forget. ---
**Author:** ![robinc308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@robinc308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinc308)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/19 "2005-04-25T08:59:02Z")
I have also found in the rear cover: > [@](#): > > Reasons for my enlistment: > > 1. To do my bit for king & country > 2. Lake Nestle & Anglo Swiss Cond Milk Co are keeping all their employees who enlist on full pay; irrespective of military pay. Also jobs kilt offer such a patriotic offer couldn’t be discregared. > 3. The extra assistance of lcuks pay which is being parid to my mother will enable her to enjoy a few more luxuries in life. > 4. Every able bodied man of every family should enlist: this is going to be a long, cruel war. > 5. I have no cause to worry over home matters, except my worry at their worry, which I trust will not be great. He then adds: > [@](#): > > April 26th 1915 > Should I be killed, God help my dear ones at home to bear it. > H.G. Watson I think he genuinely did not expect to survive Gallipoli. By the second day, he believed he would die there. ---
**Author:** ![Atheist\_Princess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@Atheist\_Princess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atheist_Princess)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853/20 "2005-04-26T01:55:10Z")
I have been involved in many a school ANZAC service but yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending my first dawn service. I was in absolute awe of the amount of people there. Marching through ANZAC square, placing wreaths in the memorial, and doing so in complete silence. Even primary school children were silent. The thing that suprised me the most, was that there were so many people my age (I’m 17). And a lot even shed a tear or two. Young men were wearing their great-grandfathers (and in some cases, great great-grandfathers) medals and uniforms. I accompanied my VERY old great-grandmother, as my great-granfather was a soldier. He thankfully returned from he war, but ad been shot in the leg so he was confined to a wheel chair. The most unfortunate thing was that after he returned, he suffered greatly from shell-shock and shot himself in his uniform exactly 7 years after returning. I am so proud of EVERY man and woman that fought as an ANZAC. I know I would never have had the courage considering most enlisters were my age. Lest We Forget ps. My friends own the donkey from the Gallipoli movie (his name is Chuck :rolleyes: ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2005/300853.md?page=2)