Today April 25th every day is our country's national ANZAC day - meaning Australia New Zealand Army Corps. The date specifically marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915 but now it covers all of our loved ones who have fought and still fight in the military.
This photo, above was taken at Auckland Museum about 3 years ago and that's my daughter standing beside this particular exhibition (because she's horse mad). This one tells the story of the horses that were sent into both the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Approx 10,000 horses were sent into World War 1 to places such as German Samoa, the Middle East, Gallipoli and the Western Front - just 4 made it home.
As we are all in lockdown here no one is able to get out this morning to their local ANZAC ceremonies so people and families have been showing decorations on their houses and in their front yards in some very creative ways. You can see some of their ideas here.
Just about every family here in NZ has their own ancestor who fought in a war and kiwis are extremely patriotic - this is one of our family heroes. This is my dad's uncle Neville Franks my dad is named the same after him - he fought in the 2nd World War and us buried in Monte Cassino Cemetery in Italy - I'd like to go there one day.
Who is your family hero?
9 comments:
Australians and New Zealand soldiers have a great reputation. Too bad you couldn't have a proper celebration for ANZAC Day.
I had an uncle who was an Admiral in the Navy who led a flotilla of destroyers that performed the first naval bombardment of the Japanese homeland in WWII.
Good grief. I also have an Uncle buried in the graveyard at Monte Casino. I went there with my parents so my father could find his brothers grave. Acres and acres of crosses. Sobering, and very sad.
...during WWII, my father was in the pacific for two years. He ate so much mutton, that he never wanted my mother to cook lamb.
My father was on reserved occupation as he was a nurse, if I had a hero it was Ralf who was the village blacksmith and fought in WWII, I worked part time for him in his forge when I was in my teens he was even my kids godfather. He fought in the Desert and was in the REME.
It was good down at the gate this morning listening to the service with neighbours around.
My grandfather was the one in my family who served in WW II. I used to have a photo of him in his uniform. I'm not sure where it is.
My dad, he fought in WW II and spent some time in the south pacific. I have a couple of old photos of him when he was there.
My dad was in the Navy in WWII. It’s too bad that the Anzac Day remembrances had to be cancelled but I am impressed with how well New Zealand (and Australia as well) appear to be doing in flattening the curve .
1995 we were able to see a parade for ANZAC day in Carnarvon and I still have an empty bag of poppy seeds dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli a friend gave me when we were in Perth 2015.
And, being half-German I have to add: None of my family had to join WWII. My Father´s Father was the only watch maker in town and stayed home.
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