Anzac Day 2009 (1 Viewer)

[The General]

This Saturday 25th April is a very special day on the calender for the people of both Australia and New Zealand. It commemorates the allied landings at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.

It is on this day that we remember those who served and those who lost their lives in the armed forces of both nations.

Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) forces served in the Boer War, the Great War (where the term ANZAC was first coined), the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam, and more recently in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.

To those that served, to those who never came home and to those who are currently in the services of Australian and New Zealand military and police forces worldwide, I salute you.



Lest We Forget.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I can only say, on behalf of your American allies, thank you for all that your brave Anzac forces did. In this home your sacrifices will not be forgotten.

 

[binder001]

I agree with Louis. Historically I have always been glad that the ANZACs were on OUR side!

Gary

 

[trooper]

Tpugh men with soft hearts, God rest them.

 

[marco55]

I salute the men of one of the finest fighting forces in history.I'm still of the opinion that they were the best troops in the world wars.
Mark

 

[Evzone]

This Saturday 25th April is a very special day on the calender for the people of both Australia and New Zealand. It commemorates the allied landings at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.

It is on this day that we remember those who served and those who lost their lives in the armed forces of both nations.

Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) forces served in the Boer War, the Great War (where the term ANZAC was first coined), the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam, and more recently in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.

To those that served, to those who never came home and to those who are currently in the services of Australian and New Zealand military and police forces worldwide, I salute you.


Lest We Forget.

Hats off to that!

 

[OzDigger]

Here's a CGI representation of the Australians first landing at Galipoli on 25th April 1915. (effects may be slow in older computers): http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/gallipoli/

 

[vandilay]

I,m going to attempt to kick my oldest boy out of bed on saturday morning
and head to the dawn service . I visited gallipoli many moons ago and visited
both the Aussie and kiwi memorials at lone pine and chunuk bair .

 

[Rob]

I,m going to attempt to kick my oldest boy out of bed on saturday morning
and head to the dawn service . I visited gallipoli many moons ago and visited
both the Aussie and kiwi memorials at lone pine and chunuk bair .

Nice one Rob.I have been to the Anzac dawn service in London a couple of times,very moving indeed.Deepest respect to all those Anzacs who took part in WW1/2.I know Gallipoli is often the focus of Anzac rememberance but we must also remember what they did on the Western front too.

We also use this day along with rememberance day 11th November, to remember all those who gave their lives in both wars from all nations.

Rob

 

[vandilay]

Nice one Rob.I have been to the Anzac dawn service in London a couple of times,very moving indeed.Deepest respect to all those Anzacs who took part in WW1/2.I know Gallipoli is often the focus of Anzac rememberance but we must also remember what they did on the Western front too.

We also use this day along with rememberance day 11th November, to remember all those who gave their lives in both wars from all nations.

Rob

Rob , The Gallipoli focus is an interesting one because as you say
Losses where far higher on the western front for all nations and Britains losses at Gallipoli where much higher also [and not overlooked in coverage]
But I think it comes Back to the blooding of relatively young nations on the other side of the world.
From a kiwi perspective over 100,000 served in ww1 from a population
Just topping one million , so it must have had a huge impact at home .
It also marks the beginning of a tradition between Australia and NZ that
Has continued in one form or other until current times.

 

[The General]

I can only say, on behalf of your American allies, thank you for all that your brave Anzac forces did. In this home your sacrifices will not be forgotten.

Your thoughts are much appreciated at this time of year amongst Kiwis and Aussies.

 

[Rob]

Rob , The Gallipoli focus is an interesting one because as you say
Losses where far higher on the western front for all nations and Britains losses at Gallipoli where much higher also [and not overlooked in coverage]
But I think it comes Back to the blooding of relatively young nations on the other side of the world.
From a kiwi perspective over 100,000 served in ww1 from a population
Just topping one million , so it must have had a huge impact at home .
It also marks the beginning of a tradition between Australia and NZ that
Has continued in one form or other until current times.

Absolutely Rob,the impact of the losses at Gallipoli on a nation of 1million must have been huge.It must have been awful to see the young men of both Anzac nations march off to a far away war for the first time,and i can well imagine how it both scarred and help shape the national character of both nations.All war is cruel but there is something terrible about the first world war,perhaps its the end of innocence,perhaps its the hurling of men against machine guns,whatever it is the scars still run deep for the nations involved.I understand here in Britain we now have just three of the heroes left from that conflict.

Rob

 

[vandilay]

Rob , without linking hands and singing kumbaya
I think I,ve been very fortunate to have grown up
When these guys where still around, our biggest
Worry at present is a financial kerrfufle caused by
A bunch of greedy b$#@!^%.
Lots of people have been wearing poppys and
Tommorow I,ll give a thought to my grandad and
Neighbours who made it home and my grans brother
Who lies in Germany.
Name: ROBERTSON, NORMAN BRUCE
Initials: N B
Nationality: New Zealand
Rank: Pilot Officer (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Unit Text: 75 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 27/07/1942
Service No: 411101
Additional information: Son of Gilbert David and Minnie Robertson, of Hamilton, Auckland, New Zealand; husband of Eva May Robertson, of Mairoa, Auckland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 13. C. 6.
Cemetery: SAGE WAR CEMETERY

 

[The General]

It's 9.00pm here in Sydney at the moment and I'll probably be going to bed soon as we have a big day tomorrow.

3.00am:
Reville

4.15am:
Walk up the street in the pitch black darkness with the girlfiend and some mates (in my best suit of course) to the War Memorial in the local park.

4.45am: The Dawn Service:
A memmorial service where the dead are honoured with speeches by local politicians, religious leaders and ex-servicemen. There will be World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans in attendance. There will also be a local "Pipes and Drums" band, a lone piper will play the bagpipes and at some stage a bugler will play The Last Post.

5.30am:
Back to the local RSL (Returned Services Club) for a "Gunfire Breakfast" of bacon, eggs, sausages and beer. Very Australian!

Who knows what will happen between then and the footy.

2.30pm:
Will attend the traditional Anzac Day Rugby League match between the Sydney Roosters and the St.George-Illawarra Dragons for the Anzac Day Trophy at the Sydney Football Stadium in front of over 30,000 fans.

Prior to the match there will be a march past, military bands, "A Minutes Silence", the playing of "The Last Post", a flyover of RAAF fighter jets and then the Anzac Day Trophy is usually dropped into the centre of the stadium by SAS troopers abseiling from a Blackhawk helicopter hovering above the ground.

3.00pm:
Finally at 3pm the match will kick-off and hopefully my Roosters will beat those pesky Dragons.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Rob , without linking hands and singing kumbaya
I think I,ve been very fortunate to have grown up
When these guys where still around, our biggest
Worry at present is a financial kerrfufle caused by
A bunch of greedy b$#@!^%.
Lots of people have been wearing poppys and
Tommorow I,ll give a thought to my grandad and
Neighbours who made it home and my grans brother
Who lies in Germany.
Name: ROBERTSON, NORMAN BRUCE
Initials: N B
Nationality: New Zealand
Rank: Pilot Officer (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Unit Text: 75 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 27/07/1942
Service No: 411101
Additional information: Son of Gilbert David and Minnie Robertson, of Hamilton, Auckland, New Zealand; husband of Eva May Robertson, of Mairoa, Auckland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 13. C. 6.
Cemetery: SAGE WAR CEMETERY

If there is a heaven, I hope my great uncles USAF Lt. John Amana and Sgt. Joseph Amana (who died in B17's over Germany) can have a drink today with your Great Uncle Norman.

 

[Rob]

Rob , without linking hands and singing kumbaya
I think I,ve been very fortunate to have grown up
When these guys where still around, our biggest
Worry at present is a financial kerrfufle caused by
A bunch of greedy b$#@!^%.
Lots of people have been wearing poppys and
Tommorow I,ll give a thought to my grandad and
Neighbours who made it home and my grans brother
Who lies in Germany.
Name: ROBERTSON, NORMAN BRUCE
Initials: N B
Nationality: New Zealand
Rank: Pilot Officer (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Unit Text: 75 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 27/07/1942
Service No: 411101
Additional information: Son of Gilbert David and Minnie Robertson, of Hamilton, Auckland, New Zealand; husband of Eva May Robertson, of Mairoa, Auckland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 13. C. 6.
Cemetery: SAGE WAR CEMETERY

God rest his soul Rob.Will be thinking of all Anzacs tommorow.

Rob

 

[vandilay]

If there is a heaven, I hope my great uncles USAF Lt. John Amana and Sgt. Joseph Amana (who died in B17's over Germany) can have a drink today with your Great Uncle Norman.

Louis thats a nice thought, I,m sure they would have more than their share of tales to tell one another .
As part of anzac day here they have shown interviews with 5 ww2 pilots
here is a link they are all well worth a look [ they include Les munro from
the dambusters raid and bob francis who took part in the raid by mosquitos
to free french prisoners before they where executed]
The interview with squadron leader Alan George is very good he started out in wellingtons and ended
the war flying as a pathfinder in mosquitos
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/National/tabid/309/articleID/101083/cat/851/Default.aspx#video

here is the link to the other interviews
http://www.3news.co.nz/Default.aspx?TabId=1110