Apr 23 2008
Anzac Thoughts
Anzac day is upon us again and for some reason, this year, I asked myself a few questions about my family’s involvement in the great war. I don’t know much about my grandfather; he died when my father was very young. He didn’t know much about him either other than a few photos, death / birth certificates, marriage license and a couple of medals. It has never been an issue for me as I don’t know any of my grand parents, but I was interested in my grandfather due to the fact he had served in World War 1.
Not being sure where to start I entered my grandfathers name into a database on the Australian National Archives website www.naa.gov.au To my surprise there were 14 scanned documents (in colour) relating to my grandfathers service. A big cheerio goes out to the person or people who scanned these documents. I would assume there would have been thousands for WW1 as for all of the other wars during this countries existence so thanks for your efforts.
His enlistment papers included the name of my great-grandfather, which confirmed I have found the right identity. He enlisted in June 1915, where in the ‘distinguishing marks’ section of his enlistment papers I discover that he had a scald scar on his right buttock.
On this form he made his mark and swore….
“that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from June 1915 until the end of the war, and a further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and cause His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty according to law. SO HELP ME, GOD”
From there it appears he departed for France on the 6/6/16 where he served for 3 and a bit years and departed for return to Australia on the 8/8/19. There are of course some other things listed during this period but most of it, I am still trying to decipher. The records are all hand written (of course) and I have found it difficult to follow the records entirely. Another form appears from 1930 where he had requested a copy of his discharge papers to replace his original papers, which appear to have been lost during an ‘incident’ at a hotel (Sounds like a man after my own heart). Unfortunately he died a few years later and while we were told that it was a result of war injuries I guess we will never really know.
My father always appreciated the Anzac day commemorations but never actively participated in them. I won’t lay claim to any real urgency to rise at sparrows fart to attend dawn service either, however I do make an effort to think about the sacrifices made and appreciate all that has been done at some time during the day.
My personal thoughts are that Anzac day is for those people who have served in war or the like. The fact that every second grandchild, niece or second cousin lays claims to the right to march is nice, but it holds no weight in my opinion, have we not all suffered? We are unfortunately at no loss of returned servicemen from WWII, Vietnam, Iraq and everything in between; if we allow every generation relation to march we will be here till dawn, the next. Limit the marchers to those who serve in my opinion, everyone else is just a tourist.
Interesting to know that about the archives.
Don’t really agree with your thoughts on the marching on Anzac day. I think its great that the decendants can march and I don’t really think the RSL should be making them march at the rear either.
SJ, people died for this country and you can’t even get out of bed to remember their sacrifice…………….me neither.
Doen’t mean I don’t appreciate it though.
I think the more people that march the better, if they want to they should be up there with their families medals, but they should carry a photo and buy the photo a beer after the march
Great to hear about people discovering records like this!
376,000 World War I service records have been digitised and are available through the National Archives website. If you’re interested in these, or other family history resources, you can click on the Family History link on our home page for more information.
I attend the ANZAC day march every year and turn always show up at the eternal flame 11am on Remembrance Day also. It doesn’t bother me that others don’t, so long as they remember what the day is for. In my opinion, one of the most important public holidays of the year.
I think it’s extremely important that we continue to recognise and pay tribute to the soldiers who served in past and present wars. After all, we came within a bees you know what of being taken over by Japan in WW2.
Totally disagree with the RSL on their comments re: soldiers marching at the front. I don’t see how the RSL has any say in the matter anyway as not all serving soldiers are members of the RSL old boys club. I think it’s fantastic to see kids marching carrying photos and medals of their fallen relatives who are not able to march.
Just because a soldier has died does not mean we shouldn’t see their somebody march in their memory.