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Monday, 22 April 2019

Anzac Day - 25th April - Field of Lights, Albany

On 25 April, in Australia and New Zealand, at war memorials in small towns and big cities, on the shores of Gallipoli and in France, and places all over the world where Australians and New Zealanders gather we commemorate Anzac Day.  This day was chosen to remember our war dead as it was the day that the Allied forces landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April, 1915. 

 The nine-month campaign resulted in the death of more than 133,400 troops -  47,400 allied troops and 86,000 Ottoman soldiers. This total included 8,700 Australians, and 2,700 New Zealanders, 2700 British Empire (other than Aust & NZ), 9000 French and French colonial troops.  Aust Dept of Veteran Affairs

I've blogged about Anzac Day before, and how on this day in particular I remember my Great-Uncle Norman Clayden who died at Gallipoli on 27 April 1915 (aged 19 - no known grave), and my husband's uncle Richard Ramsden who died in a prisoner of war camp in Myanmar (Burma) on 29th October 1943 in World War 2.  (aged 23 - buried at
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanma)

Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Over 100 thousand Australians have died in conflicts since the Boer War.  In the light of recent tragedies, bombings, shootings, on the streets and in churches and places of worship around the world and the fighting between religious sects, I feel this message even more..... please God...that the sacrifices have not been in vain. 

However, I fear we have not learnt from the death and destruction of the past. I don't understand why we can't live in peace. Why we can't accept each others differences in race and religion. We all make up the wonderful diverse fabric of the world. We should celebrate and embrace this diversity instead of trying to stamp out our rights to freedom of thought and action.  Isn't this freedom what they fought for? Doesn't every race have the right to this freedom?



In February we had the opportunity to see "The Field of Lights" Avenue of Honour on Mt Clarence in Albany on Western Australia's south coast. This art installation, created with 16,000 lights by Bruce Munro pays homage to the 41,000 troops who departed from Albany on their way to World War 1. For some Albany would be their last view of Australia.

My photos can't possibly give you the feeling of walking along the avenue and viewing the lights which have been placed between the trees leading up to Albany's war memorial.  It really is a moving experience. An audio helps tell the story. 



Bruce has installed other lights displays around the world. You can hear Bruce talk about the Albany project by clicking here and then scroll down to the video - Field of Light - About the Project

Even during the day the field was moving to see. The avenue of trees was planted in 1955-56. There are plaques for locals who have died in military conflicts or as a result of conflicts.


Also on Mt Clarence you can visit the National Anzac Centre. It is well worth a visit - allow several hours.  The centre and the lookout you see in the images below overlooks the harbour from where the ships departed.

For more information:
Field of Light, Albany
National Anzac Centre, Albany
Gallipoli and the Anzacs - Department of Veteran Affairs, Australia

 At the Dawn Service on Anzac Day I will remember them, and pray for peace. 

You might also like to visit my previous posts with more of the story:
 Anzac Day - we will remember them
25th April - Anzac Day - when we remember them
Anzac Day 25th April 
25 April - Anzac Day - We will remember them

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!


 I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.
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13 comments:

  1. ~Lavender Dreamer~22 April 2019 at 22:36

    How amazing to get to see the field of lights....how moving and sobering. War has taken so many of our fine young men and women. It's very sad but important to remember! Hugs!

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  2. junieper/Jesh StG23 April 2019 at 05:06

    Your images capture how close this is to your heart.You great ucle died when he was 19, how his life was cut short - but never in vain! Would say, no matter how the world goes at the present time - their sacrifices have kept us at peace till now, and are never in vain!! Many thanks for bringing this aspect of Australian history to All Seasons! Also, thanking you for your kind comment about hubby:) Have a poignant week, Jill!

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  3. Rosie23 April 2019 at 10:20

    Thanks for sharing your photos and the message of Anzac Day.

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  4. Lady Fi23 April 2019 at 11:35

    How gorgeous!

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  5. Angie23 April 2019 at 11:52

    Jill - I agree that current events around the world can be discouraging, but I think memorial days such as Anzac Day help to put them in perspective. When WORLD peace is threatened, countries and people rise up and do the right thing. They are remembered and in general, world peace continues as a result. Thanks for helping us all to remember with this inspiring post, and for linking to Mosaic Monday.

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  6. Jackie and Joel Smith23 April 2019 at 12:14

    Oh you've so captured the sadness I have felt this week and my frustration at not ever seeming to learn from past mistakes. We dined with a British couple last night and talked of the wars and the lives lost in Greece, in England, in all of Europe. I commented that we Americans just have been blessed not to have a war fought on our soil - the 911 attacks and Pearl Harbor were just tastes of the suffering from so many places in the world. I do hope the younger generation takes time to learn about history, more importantly, to learn from history!

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  7. Jutta.K.23 April 2019 at 16:21

    That is soooo great.
    I never so such beautiful light installation !
    My contribution

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  8. Jill23 April 2019 at 19:58

    It must be a very sober visit but what a fantastic light installation. Very beautiful and moving.

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  9. Sylvia23 April 2019 at 23:58

    Jill, I love the light installation! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Su-sieee! Mac25 April 2019 at 07:39

    Your photos capture the horror and sadness of war for me. I think we can get along, regardless of our differences. Unfortunately the powers that be appeal to our insecurities so that they can divide and conquer us.

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  11. Pieni Lintu25 April 2019 at 18:06

    wow looks cool!

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  12. likeschocolate25 April 2019 at 21:36

    The field of lights is so cool. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Jeanne29 April 2020 at 13:13

    I was wondering if the artist's last name was Munro - I think he did a recent installation in Illinois USA that I saw. :)

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.