Have to put this on the calendar for ANZAC Day 2012 Swannies win 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match Posted by Vietnam Swans on April 23, 2011 The Vietnam Swans have won the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match beating the Hong Kong Dragons. The final scores were Vietnam 12. 17. 89 to the Hong Kong Dragons’ 7. 5. 47. David Hadley, playing in his last game for the Vietnam Swans was a star and picked up the Best on Ground player as judged by Ron Vernon (ex Vietnam Football League 1967 premiership play) and Kevin McMillan (Vietnam Vet). Tonight, the ANZAC Friendship Dinner will be held on the tennis court at the Petro Hotel overlooking the Lord Mayor’s Oval – which is where we played this afternoon. But of, course, the Lord Mayor’s Oval is now the Vung Tau Greyhound Dog Track. And the dish lickers will be running tonight! Swannies win 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match « Vietnam Swans
Quote[I'm afraid Tobruk overshadows Lebanon/Syria during the same period, although both Cpl James Gordon 2/31 AIF Inf Batt and Lt Roden Cutler 2/5 Aust Fld Reg won the V.C (Lt Cutler also lost his leg due to injury in the action) during the campaign] End Quote Yes unfortunately it does, at least most people seem to be aware of it nowadays. The average person might forget and allow Syria/Lebanon to be left behind in remembrance for what were the more popular and more intense propaganda friendly fighting from WW2 (Tobruk, Lybia and the debacles in Greece and Crete) For some reasons the authorities did not want much information about the Aussies fighting the French they thought they would not understand why. Now their are some dumb people everywhere, even here in Australia however even they would soon work out that it is/was a important campaign that ensured no German interference from that area and gave extra distance between the Enemy and the Suez as well as allowed Syria to be garrisoned giving more protection against any (unlikely)German advance from that direction It was however the first time (excepting Blameys poor performance after taking over from Wilson in Greece his COS Gen Rowell seemed to be behind most of the decent decisions) that the main operation which included combat troops from GB, Free French and Aussies were under the Corps command of a Aussie being Gen Lavarack. So it is a important campaign, in many ways including the two VC's and a campaign that i believe should be more widely known and that's not just for the Aussies as their were a lot of Brits and French along with others. I believe that this Corps command does not include the Bits who drove in from Iraq and possible other formations not on the Coast or central sectors of the advance
The Department of Veterans' Affairs produces Anzac Day posters every year commemorating a particular theme or anniversary. The bombing of Darwin poster features the scene of the first Japanese air raid on 19 February 1942. It shows several vessels, loaded with ammunition, having been hit and set on fire in the harbour. The poster commemorating the Kokoda Campaign shows stretcher bearers offering drinking water to Private Baldwin of the 2/33rd Battalion. The image highlights the assistance local people gave in the care and evacuation of Australian casualties. Copies of the posters are available on request from the Commemorations Officer in each state and territory. Telephone 133 254 or 1800 555 254 for regional callers. Please note that the posters cannot be altered in any way and must be used in their entirety.
Anzac day coming up soon, and sadly the ranks will be even thinner , but hopefully not the crowds of appreciative aussies . For me, i would just like to say "thank you" to all of our veterans ,past and present, for your sacrifices on behalf of the rest of us. You have done us proud. Hope you have a wonderful day. F.S.
Fully concur there. As 1 of the March Mashalls, it is sad to see the ranks thining. it is most noticable with those of the 8th Division, there were (as of my count last year) less than 20 veterans participating. What does sadden me is that the respect & accolades due to them by the crowd cannot be fully appreciated as these brave men are enveloped in a sea of decendants of unit members who march with the unit as well (without official sanction). Regrettably, it won't be long until the long wheel base jeeps will be more evident (as they were a number of years ago for WW1 vets). At least then these vets will be able to receive their true accolades as the Battalion will not be marching as a formation. ATB Simon
Hear, hear! We have the same (natural) problem with thinning ranks here in NZ but the heartening thing is the annual increase in numbers of the local population who heave themselves and their kids out of bed to attend the Dawn Parade - usually in the rain. Pete
I will admit that I am one of those who has trouble marching in the rain. My involvement in the gun battery at Kennedy Park, Castor Bay, NZ has renewed my interest, to the extent that I ordered the missing medals and ribbons to complete my kit. Before you ask: National Defence Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 60, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (ribbon) and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation (ribbon) with palm
26Delta good for you! I am going to have to find out what there is going on in the UK if not will have to just have a silent moment on my own since it will be about 4pm here when you Kiwis are doing your stuff! Damn it I have just realised I am teaching that day!!! Wont be able to get away and there is one really close in Wymondham! Will go and visit "my" ANZAC that weekend!
I saw a kid marchin with medals on his chest. He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast. He knew that it was ANZAC Day - he walked along with pride. He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side. And when the march was over the kid was rather tired. A Digger said Whose medals, son? to which the kid replied: They belong to daddy, but he did not come back. He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track. The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye. The Digger said Don't cry my son and I will tell you why. Your daddy marched with us today - all the blooming way. We Diggers know that he was there - it's like that on ANZAC Day. The kid looked rather puzzled and didn't understand, But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand. For this great land we live in, there's a price we have to pay For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live. The price was that some soldier his precious life must give. For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will, Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill. Your daddy died for us my son - for all things good and true. I wonder if you understand the things I've said to you. The kid looked up at the Digger - just for a little while And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile: I know my dad marched here today - this is ANZAC Day. I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin way. D. Hunter (A veteran of Shaggy Ridge with the 2/12 Battalion in WW2
Andy, An excellent poem and thank you for sharing. This morning I and several RBL Berlin Branch members attended the ANZAC Day Memorial Service at the CVWGC Cemetery on Heerstrasse, Berlin. Our RBL Standard together with the Union Standard were on Parade and the Sun even came out for a short time during the service. There was a good attendance and the poroceedings went wonderfully well with the Potsdam Police Quintet Band playing the music for the Hymns, both Last Post and Reveille. I am informed that the services for the 100th Anniversary in 2015 are being planned now for Turkey and the Landing places. With so many people expected to travel a numbers quota may be issued for services. Regards Tom
Attached are scans of todays progamme in Berlin for the ANZAC Day Ceremony. I hope that members may find them useful in seeing what happens here in Berlin. It all started for invited guests at the NZ Ambassadors Residence at 0845 hrs for a Gunfire Breakfast. A description is attached by way of a scan. There then followed at 1030 hrs the ceremony at the CWGC Cemetery on Heerstrasse, Berlin. Heavy rain last night was followed by dull and blustery weather prior to the service. However the Sun seems to again shine on the Righteous and the ceremony was conducted in a mixture of cloud and sunshine, but stayed dry. The Ceremony was well attended and photographs will be uploaded on the RBL Berlin Website in the near future if members wish to klick on the Hyperlink on the Portal Page. After the damage caused by the wild pigs last year, the Head gardener Jonathan and his team have carried out extensive work and the hard work has paid off as the cemetery is looking excellent once more. Regards Tom
This year my partner and I attended the annual ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands. The event was once again well attended by the Solomon Islanders and the expat community, with about 150 people attending. It was my first dawn service in Honiara since 2006. This year’s event was sponsored by the New Zealand High Commission, with the event alternatively hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Wreaths were laid during the service by the foreign diplomatic representative based in the Solomon Islands. Australian, New Zealand PNG and Tongan troops were also in attendance as well as members of the RAMSI- Participating Police Force (PPF). The RAMSI military component is planning to withdraw in 2013. The gunfire breakfast was once again held at the Point Cruz Yacht Club after the ceremony. A little known fact is that Australian Army and Air Force, with Catalina’s, were based at the then capital in Tulagi prior to the Japanese invasion. The Australian personnel being withdrawn after the Fall of Rabaul, and just days prior to the Japanese Invasion. http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/cmdrequest/rest/Preview.fwx?rt=1&f=8590496097A739A27841C7E8A1C14EE88E6EC020FDCEF86377CC8A13DB84B7E8FDFA39A7FA961C9342E8044A3C5F398F65B6DCFB4C4D8CA5583BB4AF083D55036909B11C1D46A0F191AE0BBD47DA53AF257A342AABF360E7084024A6A360FB83456B617A87439A7057FD15F6139B956E847E8BBBC6490263F62177E593F953F89970B6444C325739C50AE27FC7F892C3B6F3627064A160E46CC95987D4800F425E9BF54292F6695A23114DFD9DAE1EA83083C1319394B67DEC062E30C0E54EE3&sz=170 http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/cmdrequest/rest/Preview.fwx?rt=1&f=8590496097A739A27841C7E8A1C14EE88E6EC020FDCEF86377CC8A13DB84B7E8FDFA39A7FA961C9342E8044A3C5F398F65B6DCFB4C4D8CA5583BB4AF083D55036909B11C1D46A0F191AE0BBD47DA53AF257A342AABF360E7084024A6A360FB83456B617A87439A7057FD15F6139B956E847E8BBBC64902636BC9DB2687AC3B5F9970B6444C325739FC90A413DC1AC69DB6F3627064A160E46CC95987D4800F425E9BF54292F6695A23114DFD9DAE1EA83083C1319394B67DEC062E30C0E54EE3&sz=170
I want to put a great picture here about Gallipoli war. There are two oldest veteran together. One of them Turkish, other one is Anzac.Both of them fighted against to each other in 1915 in Gallipoli War... But they are together in this picture after more than 75 year. Jack Ryan and Hüseyin Kaçmaz. Hüseyin Kaçmaz is a Turkish veteran and he died 18 years ago.I couldnt find any information about Jack Ryan as call Anzac Veteran. He is alive or no? If he died, rest in peace, if he alive, long live to him.
What a great picture that is. It may surprise members that there is a memorial in ANZAC Parade Canberra to Mustafa Kemal the commander of the Turkish 19th Division on the Dardenelles Peninsular who was to become the founding father of Modern Turkey. There is a special bond between the Australians & the Turks as a result of that great struggle & in 1934 Kemal Attaturk crafted some of the most wonderfully healing words that could have been written in tribute to a former enemy "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well." ATB simon
What a great picture that is. It may surprise members that there is a memorial in ANZAC Parade Canberra to Mustafa Kemal the commander of the Turkish 19th Division on the Dardenelles Peninsular who was to become the founding father of Modern Turkey. There is a special bond between the Australians & the Turks as a result of that great struggle & in 1934 Kemal Attaturk crafted some of the most wonderfully healing words that could have been written in tribute to a former enemy "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well." ATB simon Thanks for nice comments about M.Kemal Atatürk. Yes, your soldiers are resting in our land with our soldiers. So what about this Anzac veteran? I think he is dead? U have information about him?
Lest we forget…. - Sylvanvale Foundation Gallipoli veteran - Jack Ryan..... A man who lived to his very late 90s, caring for himself and his beloved pet dog til the day he passed.
