It is three years since we were able to attend an ANZAC Day Dawn Service due to Covid restrictions. But today we were able to attend again at the war memorial in Bunbury with many others to commemorate and remember those who lost their lives or came home broken defending our freedom. It is a solemn and reflective occasion as we stand with heads bowed during the minute silence, the reading of the Ode, and the sounding of the last post on the bugle.
It was not lost on us this morning the significance of the Ukrainian and Polish flags also flying at half mast at the memorial in remembrance of the deadly destructive war raging in the Ukraine today.
As we drove home we stopped to view the magnificent blood red sunrise over Koombana Bay. It seemed a fitting reminder of the blood still being spilt in conflicts around the world. Will humanity never learn from the past?
A few facts about ANZAC Day.
"ANZAC" is an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. - the name given to a combined force of First Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Army troops who rowed ashore on Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula at around dawn on Sunday, the 25th day of April, 1915, barely nine months after the outbreak of World War I.
ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign of WWI- the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI.
Each year on the 25th of April we reflect on all Defence Force personnel, past and present, and the sacrifices they’ve made. ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions.
Not only at the grand momuments, but in the little towns too, throughout Australia, people gather to remember and pay respect.
Traditionally, rosemary is worn on ANZAC Day. Rosemary is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula.
The Australian War Museum in Australi's national capital, Canberra, is one of our most important memorials, achives and museums. The names of those killed in action in the first and second world wars are written on the remembrance walls.
Here we laid poppies for my Great-Uncle Norman Clayden who died at Gallipoli on 27th 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, Mynanma).
The RED Poppy symbolises peace, death and sleep of the fallen servicemen and women. While the PURPLE Poppy represents remembrance of the animal victims of war. The ORANGE Poppy represents the acknowledgement of the Service families, and also acknowledges the families’ loss due to veteran suicide. The WHITE Poppy worn between 1918 - 1939 symbolises the wearers’ commitment to peace.
'Lest We Forget' is an expression of remembrance
The 'Ode' comes from the poem "For the Fallen", written by Laurence Binyon. The verse, which is commonly known as 'The Ode Of Remembrance', is as follows:
"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
The first ever recorded Dawn Service in Western Australia was conducted by Anglican Chaplain Padre White (44th Battalion AIF) on 25 April 1923 in Albany, and has been held ever since with several thousand-people participating each year.
For many Australian's Albany was the last sighting they had of Australian soil before sailling to Egypt. Below is the war memorial on Mt Clarence in Albany. You can read more here: Albany Field of Lights for ANZACs
On the way to the Dawn Service this morning, we heard the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo on the radio from Canberra. The sound always stirs something deep inside. For the first time, Ngarla Maumahara, the Indigenous ANZAC Day Service was held in Perth.
I have just now picked up off my shelf a small poetry book which was my mother's entitled "The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" collected by Sapper Bert Beros and dedicated to Australian soldiers and the peoples of New Guinea, the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, who gave invaluable help to the Allies during WW2. I opened the book randomly and this poem was on the page - here is an exerpt -
The Coloured Digger - written at Donadabu rest camp, dedicated to Private West
He came and joined the colours when the War God's anvil rang,
He took up modern weapons to replace his boomerang,
He waited for no call-up, he didn't need a push,
He came in from the stations and the townships of the bush.
......
He proved he's still a warrior, in action not afraid,
He faced the blasing red-hot fire from mortar and grenade;
He didn't mind when food was low, and we were getting thin,
He didn't growl or worry then, he'd cheer us with his grin.
......
You might like this You Tube video
This afternoon we went for a drive around to some of the war memorials in our local area - Burekup, Dardanup, Boyanup, Capel, Bunbury and Rathmines (also in Bunbury). It was a lovely afternoon and we saw some memorials which we had never seen before, or had seen but never stopped at. Thankyou to Capelberry Cafe in Capel for serving us coffees and delicious Anzac biscuits sandwiched with chocolate ganache, even though they were about to close up for the day.
A few of my previous posts about ANZAC Day here:
Thank you so much for stopping by this ANZAC Day. 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!
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf
Sharon's Sovenirs
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday
ThroughMy Lens
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday
Welcome to Nature Thursday
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!
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf
Sharon's Sovenirs
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday
ThroughMy Lens
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday
Welcome to Nature Thursday
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