Wake Up Australia

[motto (RIP)]

Australian troops served under British command many times and in many places after those executions were carried out. Diana mentioned an example where her grandfather served with the RAF although he was RAAF. Perhaps the best known example would be during the Western Front debacle. The tragedy of Fromelles has had an airing of late due to the discovery of the mass graves and it still hurts. If you listen to the song 'Last Man From Dunolly' you will know exactly what I'm referring to. Australian troops were in Singapore under British control when Percival surrendered. They were also under Monty in the Western Desert.

What did change was that the power that allowed the British authorities to execute Australian servicemen was removed. It never happened again.

David

[Lynn Eades]

Thanks for that, I knew that something had changed, but couldnt recall what it was.
Lynn.

[motto (RIP)]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhBOah7bMWM

[Mike Cecil]

Time for me to stir the proverbial pot again.....

Check out the State Flag of Hawaii. 'Discovered' by Capt James Cook in 1778, the islands were annexed by the USA in 1898 and became a US state in 1959.

But they still retain the Union Jack in the upper corner of the state flag. Can't say I have a problem with that sort of preservation of historical links at all.

(Duck.... incoming!)

Mike C

[motto (RIP)]

No,you're safe Mike, I think the discussion has run its course. The heat's gone out of it.

Dave

[Dianaa]

Hi Everyone

Just like Mr Clarke, I think the debate is interesting and yes I do fly the current National Flag with pride on Australia Day and at other events where it is appropriate.

It is similar to the debate that we had on the merits or not of parading my ex-SADF vehicle with the apartheid era South African flag or the current South African flag (sorry i do not know their official titles), or WWII vehicles with the 48 star "Old Glory" or the current 50 star "Old Glory".

I also think that this sort of spirited debate whilst evocative, can be a little more reasoned than some debates about "illegal boat people", when we know that most illegals arrive on big aeroplanes.

Debate is always good as it helps us identify what's important and what's not really all that important in the light of day.

Diana

[Private_collector]

With so many varied posts, it has surely turned into a 'mass debate'!


P.S: I'm proud of our flag.

On days when it is flown at half mast, I still get a little foggy looking at that.
If we all decided to change it to a piece of calico sack, I would then be proud of that too.