Anzac Day

[Max Hedges]

Returning home from the Anzac parade in Yass

[Max Hedges]

Here is the picture

[Phil Waterman]

Is Yass a small town? From the back ground it looks like your out in the country. Don't know about down under but in New Hampshire I think the small town parades are often better than some of the "city" parades. On days like Memorial Day and Veterans Day the small towns seem to remember the better meaning.

Hi MAX ... that must really be some feeling to parade in those vehicles, especially through the countryside away from all modern day sights

I just did a search for ANZAC DAY to place a link in this thread for anyone wanting to know more about ANZAC DAY and what it's all about. I know a little bit of the history from you-all, and have eaten ANZAC BIKKIES but maybe newer members will enjoy learning something about your DAY too.

http://www.anzacday.org.au/

Karmen

[Tony Smith]

The ANZAC Day comemorations seem to go through peaks and troughs of popularity. At the Moment, it seems to be riding quite a high. Many of the Veterans Associations are pleased that the young are taking an interest in the history of the country and some of it's traditions. While just about every small village, town, or city will have some form of event to mark this year's 90th anniversary, there appears to be a lot more 20 somethings getting involved. But is it for the right reasons?
This year will see around 10,000 Australians and New Zealanders travelling to the place where it all began, ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli, Turkey. Not all of those are keen to be a part of the solemn remembrance of sacrifices in war. To many, it's just another destination on the Backpacker Trail. This year, there has been much controversy regarding roadworks that have sliced through the original landing site and unearthed many unmarked graves and permanently changed the scene. They were apparently requested by the Aust Gov't to accomodate the expected 10,000 aussies and Kiwis and an anticipated 200,000 Turks. There were plans for an all-night celebration including Dance music and live performances by pop singers, but these were quashed after protests from the NZ Government (See, they're good for something!). However, that won't stop some who see it as an excuse for a big drunken party.
These pictures come from our daily paper and show some of the revelry from the 2004 event. Have a good look at the details and you will see that they are headstones that people are trampling and sleeping on. A Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetary, in fact! Now, don't get me wrong, I don't see how anyone could could talk a young Aussie out of a night of drinking, maybe a root behind the bushes and later a quick vomit to clear the head. For some, it's a way of life. But to travel half way around the world just to attend this country's most sacred (secular) ceremony, to disgrace yourself in front of the world and to do it in a CWGC cemetary ON the graves just staggers me. To say saddened and dissapointed is a HUGE understatement. It's just CRIMINAL! Would this have been tolerated in the cemetaries of Normandy in 2004? Would these people find this OK do this in ANY sort of cemetary, let alone during a remembrance ceremony in a CWGC cemetary?
I really think the government needs to rethink future Dawn Services at Gallipoli. It is plain that that the small area cannot accomodate over 200,000 people in the grounds of the several cemetaries that dot the peninsula. It is also plain that they cannot continue to bulldoze vast scars into the hillsides containing the bodies of missing soldiers, just to provide the carparks to serve these thousands. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister just sees thousands of adoring voters when he adresses them and is loath to cut back the crowds. I think the NZ Gov't is at least thinking the right way on this, but as is usually the way, the Australians overwhelm them with numbers and shout them down. I think numbers need to be reduced either by $1000 a head tickets or a ballot system, anything!
Sad, sad, sad.

[Tony Smith]

I'd like to kick their asses to open their eyes and ears but then how to make the ones who don't care, aware of the signifigance and actually care about that at least enough to behave respectfully and let this sacred place be ... :

Karmen ... sigh

[Keith Webb]

I'm with you, Tony.

I read the same article with horror - how could those idiots (and that's too nice a name for them) sho such blatant disrespect. Thank goodness none of the originals of Gallipoli are still around to see this.

Just heard on the news this morning there is more to the story - apparently they have dumped tons of their rubbish on this hallowed ground. The Turks should turn the busses around and make them clean it up at the very least.

On a lighter side, great to see the Yass column, Max - is that Boof driving the carrier?

[Max Hedges]

The carrier back home again from the march still proudly flying our flag

Phil, Yass is a town of about 6000 people so you could say that it is a small town.

Keefy, Boof had a go driving the carrier. Aaron had a bit of a drive as well, and so did that Russell fella.

All but three of the vehicles shown in the first picture are owned by me and my family. They are all the ones that are registered.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Tony/Keith;

Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Complete idiots! Those images made me sick. Of course the 'Turks' won't do anything about it, they probably don't care anyways, I've seen first hand how 'Johnny Turk' treats a cemetery.....the bastards dug it up!

[Andrew Morrison]

The starting place to clean this up is the tour operators.

They advertise heavily in London offering very cheap fares to be there on Anzac day. Arrive at the site in time to drop the people off the evening of the night before. So that you will not be late for dawn. Then come back the next day to pick them up. There is no accommodation included in the price. This is advertised as an advantage (keeps the price down) you sleep on the bus and plane that flys you in and out. All up the trip takes 2 to 3 days. Then you are surprised to see people carry on the way you see in the pictures.

If you want to go, see it anytime BUT Anzac day.

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Max Hedges
Boof had a go driving the carrier. Aaron had a bit of a drive as well, and so did that Russell fella

I suppose the gears are now well polished?

[Max Hedges]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
I suppose the gears are now well polished?

We can not find some of the gears any more

The carrier got most of the attention in town parade

[Mark Sierant]

The carrier was a very different military machine to drive, it came with only two gears when I got a go Keefie. Just took of in 3rd and kept going.
I think a lot of people these days do not know how hard on your body these machines are to drive. 3 weeks ago I spent 5 days travelling in Max,s blitz and I am still sorting out out the bones.

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Mark Sierant
3 weeks ago I spent 5 days travelling in Max,s blitz and I am still sorting out out the bones.

Polished bones? What next!

The Carrier is indeed quite different to drive - it's fun but a higher workload than a CMP, particularly if you're not used to it. I had a couple of goes with it in the dust along the river.

[Max Hedges]

hey Keefy Russell is coming along alright with his driving but he needs to relax and go with the flow. He did achieve this one night after a few sherry's and a couple of ports.

Keith l could put a photo on of Russell and dad is an unusual state lucky the blitz was ther to hold them up. l even have one of Russell the next morning.

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Max Hedges
Keith l could put a photo on of Russell and dad is an unusual state lucky the blitz was ther to hold them up. l even have one of Russell the next morning.

OK, Emma - go for it!

[Max Hedges]

Here is my daddy and Russell, this was even before the port came out.
Em

[Max Hedges]

Here is Russell the next morning, no wonder he flooded the ford blitz that morning filling the radiator up. The blitz had to be towed out of the camping ground and down the road before it would start.
Em

[Keith Webb]

What a picture of togetherness... although I didn't realise you drank that much, Max!

I like the shot of Russell feeling no pain on the park bench too.

[Max Hedges]

Some of Russells handy work

Keefy, has Russell told you what he bought latley
Em

[Mark Sierant]

Back to the real topic of the thread, this was my first time at a small country town ceremony and I found that it was a very good service.
I had attended many marches in Sydney as a teenager playing in a brass band in support of the Catalina flying boat Squadron. This was 25 plus years ago and their were many men marching then from both world wars.
After the march the band members always recieved a lunch at the club courtesy of the Vets. The Vets were always gratefull for our support. At the time I did not comprehend what these men had done nor the freedom that I enjoyed because of their sacrifice.
I think that Australian youth are being better educated about the Anzac Day and how it bound our independant States into a Nation.
I have not been to Anzac Cove and do not know about the space or facilitys available. Some may be there for the party but I think that the majority would be there to remember our veterans and distant relatives.

"Lest We Forget"

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

After Gallipoli, the Anzac Motor Company in London, which was an importer of GM vehicles as well as a raft of US ones [exploitation of only sources available in the Great War] decided to/had to change their name to the Ancona Motor Company. Of course another casualty was Winston Churchill whilst First Lord of the Admiralty. As a result of the debacle he volunteered for active service and was appointed a Major-General, then assigned to the Western Front, and arguably never fully recovered at least in his own mind. My grandfather Ernest E.T. Hayward, was a senior civil servant in 1949-40 in the Admiralty and sat in on war meetings chaired by Churchill when First Lord, before he became PM. My father, Ernest G.W. Hayward, says that he always had the impression through his father that Churchill carried a personal stigma over Gallipoli.

I am bound to say that thank goodness common sense prevailed immediately after Dunkirk, as on 30 May 1940, Churchill cabled Lord Gort, the B.E.F. commander with a note to be passed to the French that the U.K. would ‘build up a new B.E.F.’ with equipment for five divisions to include Canadian and Australian troops, although arguably he also intended to include troops from the NZEF as well.

RIP.

[Tony Smith]

Young Winston was never on the ground at Gallipoli or elsewhere in the Dardenelles campaign. His interest and role stemmed from his position as First Sea Lord with the Admiralty and he came up with the concept of taking the peninsula to allow British ships into the Sea of Marmara to attack Constantinople and allow supplies to reach the Russians, enabling a new front to be opened against Germany. Good idea on a map, but for a variety of reasons, would never work on the ground.
11,400 ANZACS died in the fighting, along with thousands more Turks, British, French and Indians, but I don't think Winston's career suffered much at all.
BTW, Australia's first submarine, AE1, forced it's way through the minefields protecting the Narrows and played havoc with Turkish shipping for several days waiting for the British fleet to come. After running out of torpedoes and no sign of the Royal Navy, the sub was scuttled and the crew taken into captivity. The sub was rediscovered only 2 or 3 years ago after snagging a fisherman's net.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by Max Hedges
Some of Russells handy work

Keefy, has Russell told you what he bought latley
Em

As a young lad working my way up from flatheads ,I remember an old mechanic telling me to never run just plain water in the engine..He said that a water pump lubrication was required to lubricate the water pumps..In Canada,this is a standard additive with automotive antifreeze..
Can any of you Ozmites comment on this theory??
THe pump lubricant also kept the internal iron parts from rusting....which chewed up the pump seals and bearings..

I notice in the picture a yellow can sitting on top of the rad...Is this a lubricant for the pourer or the pouree..??
Or is it a can of the dreaded ...."VEGEMITE"?

[Rod Diery]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
BTW, Australia's first submarine, AE1, forced it's way through the minefields protecting the Narrows and played havoc with Turkish shipping for several days waiting for the British fleet to come. After running out of torpedoes and no sign of the Royal Navy, the sub was scuttled and the crew taken into captivity. The sub was rediscovered only 2 or 3 years ago after snagging a fisherman's net.

Actually Tony it was AE2.
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10760.asp

AE1 went missing off New Britain in September 1914
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10759.asp

Cheers
Rod

[Ian Fawbert]

As a "youth of today" (im 22) i remember those before me with great admiration for what they had/have done. Seeing bums like those sleeping amongst the graves of those who died is quite disturbing. No matter how drunk or tied you are i know i could can find somewhere better to sleep than there. And the rubbish left behind is even worse - surely the turks put out bins for them?

Ive marched in the parade down geroge street in a marching band proudly wearing the medals of my "uncle" Les Sheridan, a ww2 tank commander and also my "uncle" Lindsay Olling, killed in france after surviving gallipoli. It is an amazing feeling. I get sad thinking of what they and others went through for me/us now, and to see people "disrespecting" it by treating gallipoli that way is just plain rude.

Some will never realise, hopefully many will and it wont happen again next year.

Cheers,
Ian.

Lest we forget.

[Max Hedges]

Originally posted by Alex Blair
Or is it a can of the dreaded ...."VEGEMITE"?

Alex

We were leaving your post for Russell to comment on but it seens that he is still out looking for his Vegemite

The Anzac march in Yass was very well attended this year. The local schools were repesented by their school captains and other students in the march, which is good to see. Our WW2 diggers are all getting a bit to old to march now, so some of them had a ride down the street in the back of vehicles. and some in wheel chairs.

Max

[Mark Sierant]

Or is it a can of the dreaded ...."VEGEMITE"?I notice in the picture a yellow can sitting on top of the rad...Is this a lubricant for the pourer or the pouree..??

Lubricates as well as sealing leaks without it we would not have made the 350km drive home with a broken water pump. However will not work on repairing Japaneses built crankshafts.
PS ask Max about his hangover and how a teaspoon of Vegemite stired into hot water cures hangovers.