Anzac Day

ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand: a time of reflection upon the involvement of those countries in terrible wars. Specifically, the term “ANZAC” is derived from the words “Australian and New Zealand Army Corps”: the military organisation within which Australians and New Zealanders fought in World War One.

ANZAC day, for many commemorates the initial landing by the British, Australian, New Zealand and French forces at Gallipolli on the Turkish coast, the start of what can only be called a militarily disastrous campaign for the British. For the majority it is a day to think about those who have served their country (whether they accept the validity of the conflict they served in or not).

Gallipolli was devastating. Tens of thousands of men on both sides lost their lives over the course of nine months, with many more wounded or made ill by the horrendous conditions in the trenches. However, it was on the shores of Gallipoli that the Australian forces really did start to define themselves as separate and above the British. This carried on into the rest of the war, with Australia increasingly unwilling to be treated like some sort of sub-English force, and demanding more of a partnership role in the conflict.

What started in the failure of the English commanders, ended with the Australians becoming a respected fighting force in their own right, from the digger in the trenches, to the commanders. This should be a source of pride for the nation.

There are those who argue that we should never have gotten involved with World War 1. We weren't threatened in any way by the conflict and we were just starting out as a nation, why were we fighting in the war, and to be honest I think they're right. In those days, the prevailing view was very much that Australia was still part of the greatest Empire the world had ever seen.

Now we are much more aware of the cost of. I personally have a lot of respect for those who are willing to put their lives...