What ANZAC Day means to me
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Richard Elkington says: “Amongst my Grandfather’s possessions, stored at my house, is an original copy of the July 14, 1917 edition of the Leith Observer.
“It records the fact that my Great Uncle, George McDiarmid, Royal Scots, was killed in action, by shell, on June 9, 1917. The fact that this newspaper was kept by my Grandfather, until his passing some 72 years later, is an indication of the grief felt by families at the tremendous loss of life on the Western Front.”
• “Kathleen’s grandfather, Reg Gillam, who volunteered for service on the Western Front during WWI. He was in the Artillery and despite suffering trench feet and the effects of mustard gas, married his English sweetheart, brought her back to Australia, raised a family and was always cheerful.
• “About all I know of my paternal Grandfather, Frederick Elkington’s WWI service is recorded in a metre long photograph (really a work of art) of the full 200 Machine Gun Company of the British Army. He is recognisable because he is the only one smiling!
• “My father’s service in the Royal Air Force in India and Burma during WWII. Like so many children of WWII veterans, we knew little, if anything, of our father’s service.
“He simply wouldn’t speak about it. I learned more from Bro. Alec Leitch, a Turbine Driver at Yallourn Power Station, who was in the same unit than I did from my father.
“One consequence was that his children did not understand the trauma that our fathers went through.”
• “As a cub, scout, venturer and Rover Scout with 1st Newborough, it was our duty to join in the Annual Anzac Day March from the commercial centre down to the RSL. Carrying the flag was a big deal and we enjoyed, as Rover Scouts, arriving at the RSL for a few ales.”
• “The fact that I was not conscripted into the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. Some of my mates, such as Ian Coad, were conscripted and their lives were severely disrupted. I also feel a strong sense of guilt that I did not recognise the sacrifice that Vietnam and, for that matter, Korean War veterans made. I was too busy building a career, marrying and bringing up children to worry about things I didn’t understand.”
• “The bravery and sacrifices made by many who served, directly and indirectly, to create a Nation where we are all proud to proclaim ” I am an Australian!”
Thank you Richard. I certainly appreciate your sincere respect of veterans and as a veteran I understand it is important to never ever forget what veterans have done for our nation and in turn for our society.
My great-uncle served in WW2. He had never spoken to anyone about his service and duties until one of our younger Lodge members persuaded him to sit down, tell him about it and then present it as a talk at lodge. What a story he told, some 50 years afterwards. I’m sure it was a relief for him to eventually tell someone.