Anzac Day

[retrocop]

Dear up side down mates in the Southern Hemisphere,
Here in the Northern Hemisphere where we are a day behind you it is the 24th /04/2015 so I would like to wish you ANZACS a happy ANZAC day and, later, raise a glass to all you gallant blokes who came to the aid of the motherland in two major past World conflicts.
I have "stood-to" but gave the dawn service a miss(Got to go for a blood test at the RMH now).When I return from hospital I will have a pommy "gunfire breakfast" to salute you all (black tea and a slug of dark rum mixed).
I got a sprig of Rosemary on the aerial of my UTE and one in my jacket lapel.
Later in the day I will be buying a KIWI mate of mine a slab of Fosters.
Thank you all you,mongrels.You have my gratitude and I wish you a good day and luck with the "two-up" in the RSL club(Aussie British Legion)
PS .You can keep the Ashes for all I care.It's a Sheilah's game but I hope we can show the men how to play Rugby in the World Championship. :-)
PPS. I have some family connection with you today. My Grandfather (a Pommie) fought and subsequently died at Gallipoli.

[1ozzy]

We will keep the ashes, good luck with the rugby ;-).
Though I do think the Kiwis will be too good for most.

Cheers Retrocop. Have a good day, old mate.

[sandyRoe]

A proud day for anyone who had a relative involved. Maybe not such a memorable day for Churchill hagiographers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG48Ftsr3OI

[retrocop]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-32429135

Gives you a good idea what they were up against when they landed.

[1ozzy]

The odds were stacked against them from start to finish.
Only a small percentage made it back home.
And those that did carried the scars both physically and psychologically for the rest of their lives.

[seekeerz]

thanks retrocop, we'll honour your Grandfather along with all the other brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Because of them we live in a great country today. We're heading off to the dawn service, then breakfast at our local RSL - the weather's going to do its usual tricks, cold and wet, but it'll be a good one, whatever.

[mrs_overall]

Great post retro!

1ozzy...did you personally have a hard time at Gallipoli?

runs for the hills

[retrocop]

Well I'm back from the vampires den and just had the "Gunfire Breakfast".
Crikey.My admiration holds no bounds for you blokes.If I had to endure that if I survived the first time"over the top" I think I would pray for a quick bullet the next time.
Well I'm the sort of fellow who sometimes believes in second chances so I will try another "Gunfire" digger style next time. (coffee/rum). :-)

[jno]

I don't know that people have happy Anzac Days any more than they have happy Remembrance Days. Happiness has nothing to do with it.

You might appreciate this page of headstones

http://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2015/apr/23/gravestones-of-gallipoli-tributes-to-lost-anzac-heroes-interactive

There's a small graveyard of Australians in west London - there was an Australian surgeon there and many wounded Anzacs were taken to him for treatment. Those who did not survive were buried there 10,000 miles from home, having fought and died out of loyalty in a war far way that they had nothing to do with.

There is one that just says "My dear boy". Heartbreaking.

[retrocop]

Well I believe that some old soldiers remember their mates with happiness for the times they shared together and also with great loss when they give their life.
I get the impression from the Aussies I have met that they do not dwell on the maudlin,remember with dignity and solemnity their mates then crack on like" the last keg at a butcher's picnic"
I have visited many War graves through out Europe and paid my respects to all who fell from ALL nations. Doesn't mean those who survive have to feel guilty and wear widow's weeds. Don't you think our veterans don't return to their B.L. clubs after a Remembrance Day service and have a knees up.They do in mine.

[michaelmph]

I second our thoughts retro. This time last year I was visiting my son in Melbourne and got up before dawn to attend the Anzac Day ceremony there. Huge crowds even that early in the morning. It's a public holiday over in Oz and they take the day very seriously.

[Brinjal]

Thank you retro cop for your sentiments. I am a kiwi by birth and have always commemorated ANZAC.

[Brinjal]

http://i60.ti u pic.com/35lhq1k.jpg

[Brinjal]

Try again http://i60.tinypic.com/35lhq1k.jpg[IMG]

[magpie]

i lived around sydney for 15 years i was blown away by the solemn way the RSL clubs remembered the fallen 6.00pm EVERY day. the way ANZAC day was commemorated was first class. i was there for the australian golden movie times. great time to be there.

[DTCwordfan]

You have our thoughts....

But then our Ed Miliband would probably 'sink' Churchill for what he did just as he has tried with Cameron today, forgetting his beloved Tony or that he helped further the ISIS cause by voting against the government. More importantly, why couldn't he recognise the immense contribution of all ANZACs in the southern and northern hemispheres (let's not forget the Canucks) in all major conflagrations that have involved the UK!