And the Band played Waltzing Matilda

Well, there wasn't a band, but the song kept running through my head. I've just returned from "Dawn Parade", our small community's rememberance of the disasterous pre-dawn landing of Kiwi and Aussie troops at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25th April 1915.

Imagine, if you will, a small bay, some 200 yards long, with a road running along the waterfront. It faces east, into the rising sun, with a small fleet of fishing boats moored in it. From the left, there's a wharf and fish-shed, a shop, the pub, the school and a bowling green on the landward side of the road. On the seaward grass verge is a chessboard, and kid's playground. Mid-way along, a small War Memorial - there's just six names from WWI and five from WWII - but, that was one percent of the population at those times.

Our parade consisted of 22 local and visiting RSA members marching, somewhat erratically, the 100 yards, from the shop to the War Memorial. A few years back, our Returned Services Assn opened it's ranks to any who had served in the NZ Armed Forces, even as "Territorials" (part-time "Sunday Soldiers"), otherwise it would have been a decidedly skinny parade of five "real" Vets, from WWII and Korea. Some 200+ people lined the road.

Alas, today was low overcast, and as cold as charity, so, we didn't have the spectacular, flaming sunrise over the sea, which we often get.

The service was simple. Two wreaths were laid, then, us marchers laid our red buttonhole Poppies (a reminder of the "Flanders Fields"). The Ode was read, the Last Post played (alas, fom a tape, not Frank Rawle's cracked record on the wind-up gramophone, like in the "good ol' days") and an Army firing party fired three volleys. Interestingly, they were from the Medical Corps - two lads, two lasses.

Finally, our local Anglican Vicar (a lady) read a short prayer, remembering the dead, and asking for peace. A visiting Army Medical Corps Major, gave a brief address, mainly about the relief and peacekeeping roles of the modern NZ Army.

"Parade Dismissed" - RSA members to our Clubrooms at the Bowling Green, for a coffee, liberally laced with rum. The remainder to - where-ever? In 20 minutes the foreshore was deserted of all bar seagulls.

I'm not sure if The Ode is used in other countries of the once "British Empire", so here are the words.

They shall not grow old,
As we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them!
We will remember them....

I'm shaking like a leaf, and it's not just the cold. I've declared it a "Day for the Queen" - Sam & Billy the Bus are off the road today. I'm off to the Pub for scones, hot-toddies and yarns with the Golden Oldies. Then a pot-luck lunch.

This first post should read OK. I'll apologise in advance for any incoherence in my Last Post, tonight.

Peace - Sam