Lest We Forget

Today in Australia before the break of dawn, tens of thousands gathered to remember one of our darkest battles. By the flicker of candles many honoured the ultimate sacrifice made by our diggers on the shores of Gallipoli 100 years ago. Through their selfless service, devotion to duty and fighting for all that is fair, the conflict was ended, our freedom won and the Anzac legend was born.

One of those legends was my Grandfather, Leslie Houston Turner who served in both World War I and World War II. Previously a Railway Fireman he enlisted as a young 20 year old on 10th September 1914. He joined the 12th Battalion as a Private within three weeks of the declaration of war. Two months later on 2nd November his Battalion embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on board A7 Medic, bound for Egypt, arriving 2nd December. He ‘celebrated’ his 21st birthday in Egypt, away from friends and family members and after a training period in the desert the Battalion was committed to the Gallipoli Campaign.

My Grandfather (centre) with my two uncles

At 4.28am on 25th April 1915 the Anzac landing took place, under a hail of Turkish machine gunfire and mortars. The peaceful beaches of Gallipoli were now turned into a gruesome, bloodied sea of dead. 8,709 Australian men lost their lives in Gallipoli, many of them only boys. These men and boys bled and died, but the Diggers refused to give up, forging the Anzac legend and values that are cherished today.

Australia’s involvement in the Gallipoli campaign was seen as a defining moment for our nation. We were for the first time being seen as a nation in our own right and no longer a colony of Britain. To the rest of the word, our Diggers were being seen as brave and spirited fighters, who throughout the hardships endured and the courage and endurance displayed, could always find a joke to laugh about in the face of a hopeless situation. It was during these war times Australia’s mateship and the patriotic stereotype of the bronzed Anglo Saxon soldier came about.

There were stories surfacing about James Charles, who at 14 years and nine months was the youngest Australian to have died in WWI, only six months after enlisting. A story of Private William Foon, who had his parents sign his permission form to allow him to serve, and about a year an a half into his service he celebrated his 16th birthday on the Western Front. Another about John Simpson Kirkpatrick, a field ambulance stretcher bearer who carried wounded comrades on his shoulders, he would whistle and sing to overlook the bullets flying around him. He found a donkey and began using it to carry the wounded, earning the admiration of everyone. Three weeks after carrying out this invaluable and fearless task amid shrapnel and rifle fire he was killed in the line of machine gunfire. Simpson and his donkey are part of the Anzac legend of mateship, the Anzac camaraderie, where a mate would fight for you, stand by you, live for you and die for you.

Four months later, to break the deadlock, a diversionary attack on Lone Pine was planned for the 12 Battalion. After a gruelling nine months serving on the Gallipoli Peninsula they were evacuated in December and returned to Egypt in January 1916. In March the division was moved to the Western Front. Their first deployment and major action in France was in July at Pozières and later Ypres in Belgium.

My Grandfather finally returned to Australia 13th December 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medals and later served in WWII from 12th October 1939 to 19th October 1945.

You don’t have to have a relative who fought at Gallipoli to appreciate the sacrifice these young men made or the hardships they endured. Many Australians, New Zealanders and Turks have a family connection to Gallipoli and a calling to visit the very peaceful peninsula to reflect, to give thanks, to remember. The peaceful beaches of Gallipoli are now a ‘must visit’ stamp in the passport for travellers who want a share of our history. Many have a unifying sense of gratitude, grief and thanks as they stand in the places of conflict to ponder the lessons and futility of war. Now when we go to Gallipoli, we get to walk those beaches in warm clothes, with a content stomach away from the gory scenes of 100 years ago. Today when we go to Gallipoli, the Turks are protecting us, not shooting at us. In 1915 our forefathers stepped onto those shores as fascinated by overseas travel as we are today, but instead of shooting rifles, we are shooting with cameras.

As the world marks the 100th anniversary of the events of World War One (WWI), we remember the 32,000 West Australians who enlisted for WWI. A quarter of those who landed at Gallipoli were from WA, 10% of our WA population. As Australians gather, here and in Turkery to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, Australians will also gather in France to remember the more than 295,000 Australians who served on the Western Front. Anzac Day is a very special day in Australia and New Zealand, and we see it as not just a day of respect for our fallen soldiers, but a day to remember who we are as a nation and what is so memorable about our culture.

Anzac Day goes beyond the landing, it is the day we remember the Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Anzac Day was marked across the country by attendance at dawn services and marches. Perth Dawn Service at Kings Park had 80,000 attend the iconic service that Perth is famous for. 1023 red helium balloon were released to honour the 1023 West Australians killed at Gallipoli. Albany, Western Australia drew records crowds as the last place in Australia tens of thousands of the Anzacs saw before departing for WWI. Over 4,500 attended the Dawn service at Mount Clarence which was transmitted to Peace Park. Today the Australian War Memorial, Canberra hosted an estimated 120,000 visitors to the Dawn Service. 100,000 people braved the rain at the Shrine of Remembrance, a small sacrifice compared to those at Gallipoli. In major cities and rural areas alike there were services held, they even had Dawn services onboard cruise ships.

There is a long and close relationship between Australia and New Zealand and our shared goals in peace and war. Anzac is not merely about loss, it is about courage, endurance, duty, love of country, mateship and good humour, survival, and a sense of self worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.

So here’s to Leslie Houston Turner, roll number 984, WWI and W243168 WWII, my Grandfather who was a Sergeant, originally in the 12th Battalion, who gave himself selflessly to his country. Thankfully he came back and after again serving in WWII was discharged from services 19th October 1945. I had the pleasure of knowing him for a few short years and have very few memories of him. I cannot thank you enough Papa. You will always be remembered.

Lest We Forget

LestWeForget025

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30 Responses

  1. A wonderful written tribute.
    Margaret Birding For Pleasure recently posted…The Garlic Farm (Part 6 )My Profile

    • Steve says:

      Thanks for your comment Margaret, Australia and New Zealand are very proud of their ANZAC’s and the sacrifice they made for us. We wonder how different the world would have been had they not been involved in WWII.

  2. Ah yes, the war to end all wars. Sad. Tom The Backroads Traveller
    Tom The Backroads Traveller recently posted…Nice Old Places.My Profile

    • Lyn says:

      It is very sad, but whilst we remember their efforts will not be in vain. Thanks for your comment Tom.

  3. This is a beautiful ANZAC post, I love the way you weave your own family connections amongst the ANZAC history. As you know from my post I have no personal family connection to Gallipoli, my family fought elsewhere in the wars, but I am now an Australian citizen and connected in this way. This is a wonderful tribute. Thank you to your Grandfather and to all those who have so bravely fought. Lest we forget.
    Wren x

    • Lyn says:

      Wren thank you for your kind words. I think it is important we keep the ANZAC story alive for future generations, family tie or not. We owe it to those who fought alongside my Grandfather, we will remember.

  4. this is a wonderful tribute to the Anzacs. Many of us have connections to people who served in WW1 and WW2. Anzac Day grows in strength as a day to remember them. I hope one day to visit Gallipoli and walk on those hills where my great-uncle gave his life.
    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog this week and for your comments. It was great to “meet” you. Happy travels.

    • Lyn says:

      Jill thank you so much to taking the time to come to my page and leave a comment. I hope to go to Gallipoli one day too, hopefully for a Dawn service there.

  5. What a lovely post, your Grandfather must have been an amazing man. It’s so important that we remember those who gave their lives
    Suze The Luxury Columnist recently posted…Healthy Lunch @ Heddon Street KitchenMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Suze, it was a wonderful thing he did enlisting and serving his country, I have very few memories of him, but I will always remember him.

  6. Rhonda Albom says:

    Such a powerful post. Thank you for sharing your ANZAC story with us. Your pride for your grandfather, and love of country really shine.
    Rhonda Albom recently posted…Xing Around Auckland: The #AtoZ Challenge is Nearly OverMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thank you Rhonda, it was something I just felt I had to share and means a lot that people enjoyed reading my story.

  7. Sally says:

    Hi Lyn, great post, what a true champion your grandfather was to represent this great country in both WW1 and WW2. My uncles were in WW2 as well and although they returned they were never the same. Luckily my own father (no longer with us) was too young for WW2 and too old for Vietnam, he did live with the aftermath of his brothers though.
    I really enjoyed your post, it was really moving. I do believe that the younger generation really understands the importance of this day and will continue to celebrate it as we do now. We still have many serving for us currently and I hope they know that they are appreciated just the same as the ANZAC’s are as ANZAC Day is about them also.
    Well done on a great post.
    Sally recently posted…New Zealand Road Trip – Wanaka to Queenstown – Family Travel BlogMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Sally I am glad to hear you Uncles returned (although sadly, like most, changed men forever). In addition to my maternal Grandfather who I wrote about, I also had my paternal Grandfather and Mum’s two brothers and a sister also in WW2, an uncles lost when HMAS Sydney was bombed. I agree that many of the younger generation are interested and proud of their heritage. I too believe they will continue to commemorate ANZAC along with those currently serving in Afghanistan, etc. Thank you for your kind words and comments.

  8. Corinne says:

    Lyn, I’ve visited Gallipoli and read some of the stories of the young soldiers that fought there. Great post. Thanks for linking up with Weekend Travel Inspiration!
    Corinne recently posted…Weekend Travel Inspiration – Holly MorrisMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      It must have been very emotive being there Corinne. I hope to get to Gallipoli one day. Thank you for leaving a comment and hosting the linkup.

  9. Lisa Wood says:

    So very moving, beautiful post. Lest We Forget.
    So grateful for your Grandad – as a Navy Mum it really hits home how important our service men/women are to our country. Its important to celebrate that day.
    Lisa Wood recently posted…Cataract Dam New South WalesMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thank you Lisa, it was written from the heart

  10. A very moving piece. As a (former) military wife, I am thankful for your grandfather’s service and for the men and women in uniform around the world who gave so much for their countries during WWI.
    Katrina Elisabet recently posted…How Travel ProvokesMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Our family are very proud and thankful for his service and sacrifice, thank you so much for reading and taking the time to leave a comment Katrina.

  11. Tara Lepore says:

    What a powerful reminder of the ANZAC contribution to Gallipoli, and all the brave soldiers who risked everything. Very powerful. Thank you so much for sharing this.
    Tara Lepore recently posted…The Absolute Best Citizen Science AdventuresMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Tara, I appreciate your time to comment on something close to my heart.

  12. SJ says:

    Lest we forget, such a beautiful post for me to read. Being so far away from home I never really celebrated this, this year. Thanks for joining us for Sunday Traveler.
    SJ recently posted…WIN Tickets to Allure Music FestivalMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thank you for your comments. It was a massive year this year, being 100 years and was a huge attendance throughout Australia and at Gallipoli.

  13. In the U.S. we have Memorial Day and it’s the one day we remember our Vets and the sacrifices they made for our freedom (or follies.) I though that Anzac Day for Australians was about the one series of battles. Thanks for the pictures and touching story.
    Elaine J. Masters recently posted…Splash and Sip – San Diego’s Hotel PoolsMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for commenting Elaine. We have Remembrance Day on November 11 which I think is the same as your Memorial Day.

  14. Anda says:

    What a beautiful post, Lyn. You should be so proud of your grandfather. The Australian War Memorial is a beautiful way to remember those who lost their lives defending peace.
    Anda recently posted…The Weekly Postcard: La Tigre, ArgentinaMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Anda, we are very proud of him. Having never been to Canberra I have never been to the Australian War Memorial but have visited Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and the memorials in Albany.

  1. […] Tapas with some good friends. The previous weekend was similar and with the additional day for the ANZAC long weekend didn’t make choices any […]

  2. […] and wreaths at the memorials. Tears come to my eyes as I think of those young men, one of them my Grandfather, in battle on distant shores. This ceremony, with all the conflicts on the world today, has as much […]

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