Anzac Day in NZ

Subject: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 06:32 PM

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

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 06:35 PM

A fine post and my best to you my friend for a good time and warmth and memories this evening.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Bugsy
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 07:44 PM

"Lest We Forget"

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Helen
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 07:50 PM

I have to admit I didn't get up for the dawn service here, but I think of the Anzacs and what they had to go through. Thanks for the posting, Sam.

I wonder how the Kuwait Aussies & NZ-ders are doing over there celebrating Anzac Day with their songs.

Helen

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 08:21 PM

Just in for a mo to pick up my cans of "Bully Beef" (Hellaby's of course) and Cabin Bread for the Pot Luck - can't fink of anyfink more appropriate on this day - BTW "Bully" = Spam (I fink) - no spam...;)

Ta Spaw - it's goin' fine at Noon - everyone "sparking on four" We always had the Pot-luck in the evening, but this year the "Goldens" are just a tad too "Oldies" to last a full day on the turps.

"Lest we Forget" - Bugsey - methinks Eric Bogle's got the memory-lapse solved for a couple of generations. Wonderful song, isn't it!!!!

Helen, the Kuwaiti team have to wait an hour or three yet - hope they get back with how the singalong went. So do the 20,000+ for the BIG Dawn Parade at Gallipoli - truly multinational, and hosted by the Turks. Wish I could remember the Kemil Attaturk quote (ca 1935) that went along the lines of "Mothers, your sons are lying on our soil. We shall care for them as our own sons".

Off to fill the magic potion flask, and the PotLuck...

"Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye.."

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Tiger
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 06:42 AM

Thanks, Sam.

It must be awesome. I know if I had been there, I'd have dissolved into putty. As it is, I can barely sing the song without being overcome, it's so powerful.

Seeing Eric Bogle last year was a rare treat - in his introduction, he sadly reported that in his most recent return there were, indeed, no WWI vets to march in the parade.

"And the young people ask, what are they marching for?" - The Ode says it all.

Never stop marching, Sam.

....Tiger

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 06:47 AM

G'day,

Well, it's all a bit weird. It's Anzac Day, it's 4:30pm, still daylight and I'm home, just a tad tiddly. Normally I'd just be knocking off, and getting ready for the Pot Luck... AND, we're haavinng a 'quuake. What a shock, hope it's not the end of the world. Nope, just a short jolt, only enough to swing the light bulbs and upset a couple of words (see above)..;)

Anyway, here comes an SSC - I'm listening to the wireless.....

News Items (related to this thread).

Gallipoli - 25,000 at their Dawn Parade, a couple or three hours back. Digeredos played AND - it's been created a Peace Park. Hope the zilliontythree Brit, Oz, Kiwi and Turks whose bones lie there appreciate it after 85 years.

Warbirds over Wanaka - It's our version of Oshkosh - vintage planes, mainly of WWII era - held every 2nd Easter. Six people killed, when their plane crashed in lousy weather on departure yesterday. I've got a sad yarn from four years back, but, TAS (that's another story)

[Sidetrack] - What can you Yanks tell me about "Shape Note Singing" - Amazing Grace is on the wireless at the moment from Sacred Heart (Harp?) Songbook - Birmingham Alabama (lot of static).

SHIT - this is my Last Post for Anzac Day 2000 - I had a few yarns to tell, some have been posted on other threads, BUT, the news on the radio at 10:15pm, ain't too friendly - latest from Zimbabwe, and Washington Zoo - "Mama's taking us to the Zoo tomorrow" - thanks for that song Tom.

It's been a long "Holy Day", with a lot of reminiscence, and thoughts of how, somehow, we may have learned something of humanity in the last 85 years. Those last two news items are too much....

Most of the Kiwi attendees at Gallipoli today were "young travellers" according to the radio, - which reminds me of a thread.....

Little Neo. If you happen to read this thread, would you mind gittin'yer'banjer out, and singin' "Go to sleep you little hobo"? A tired old fart would appreciate it.

LOL Team - Sam

(Out for tonight)

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 06:55 AM

Thanks Tiger, my marching is a wee bit wobbly now, but I'll keep going.

Sam

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Wotcha
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 12:22 PM

Folks:

Thanks for recognizing the Kuwaiti team! I already posted on another thread about our day -- we actually remembered ANZAC Day with a ... ball ... last Thursday (which out here is our "Metric" Saturday).
We kicked off with national anthems -- the Kiwi Liaison officer sang his, and another Kiwi compatriot (a chef by trade) insisted on doing the Haka.
The Aussie Liaison officer read "The Ode." Thanks for posting the words -- I was about to ask.
The Turkish Ambassador was invited to the event and graciously accepted; he also made a fine diplomatic speech. The British Ambassador was present too: in fact had I known that these guys were going to be sitting mere inches away, I'd have been a lot more nervous that evening.
Three of us, loosely defined as a folk group (well, we sing in the same folk circle), calling ourselves "Sing for your Tucker", offered up some traditional as well as more modern songs familiar to all in the Antipodes. Not one of us was born in OZ; 2 were born in the UK, I was born in the US but grew up in the UK; one had lived in Oz so he had the one authentic accent!
Nevertheless, the evening went well. The folk songs (everything from "And the Band Played...," "Click Go the Shears," to "I Still Call Australia Home") and guitar strumming got everyone through a buffet meal and then a local rock band got going.

ANZAC day for the ANZAKs (Australian New Zealand Assoc of Kuwait) was a big event and meant a lot to those who attended and gave them a slice of home they couldn't find elsewhere that night. Definitely THE DAY of the YEAR. IT was a privilege to have participated. And like my Aussie and Kiwi Liaison officer bretheren, it is also my privilege to serve alongside on a common cause once again ...

Cheers
Brian

Subject: RE: Anzac Day in NZ
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 09:39 PM

Again, thanks for your Kuwaiti efforts, Brian. Glad I thought to post The Ode. Now, at least I know the Auzzies use it. What about Brits, Canadians, South Africans etc. It's wonderfully evocotive - wonder who wrote it, and when? I've known it as long as I can remember.

Sam