[Seia Ibanez]

The SDC ANZAC Day Special Edition 2025​

Good morning, wonderful Members!

I hope this message finds you safe and well.

Today, I’d like to create a dedicated space on our forum for something meaningful. There is absolutely no pressure to participate, but if you feel moved to share, the SDC Team and the wider community would be honoured to hear your thoughts.

This thread is an opportunity to reflect on what ANZAC Day means to you, or to commemorate someone or something significant. Whether it’s a personal story, a tribute, or a few heartfelt words, your voice is welcome here.

Please remember that this community is a safe and respectful space. Today may be difficult for some, so let’s be especially mindful and compassionate toward one another in our comments.

Lest We Forget.

​

 

[Sherril54]

My Grandfather William Patrick Berg served as a Private in the First World War 1914-1918 "Gallipoli". He was only 16 yrs old, but put his age up to 19 yrs. He was gased, buried in the trenches for 7 days and finally sent home after being shot in the leg. He would not take part in any ANZAC ceremonies and did not discuss the war. He suffered greatly after the war (War Neurosis) PTSS and was regularly in and out of Concord Repat Hospital. He did marry, and had a family, they often had no money and family life was traumatic and unstable. Because of his mental health and the behaviours that went with it, he and his family were treated like social outcasts. I could go on and on about this, I am a pacifist, after seeing and dealing with intergenerational war trauma, I cannot support war. That does not mean that I do not have the greatest respect for those veterans who have unselfishly sacrificed their lives in a bid to protect the lives and freedoms of others. So to-day is ANZAC DAY. Lest We Forget.

 

[Mumma bear 04]

My daughter and myself both served in the Australian Army! Luckily neither of us went to any conflict. We both served our country by helping out at home during floods and fires.
I would like to thank all who have served during war and those that sacrificed their lives for all of us to live in this beautiful country and to live free.
And a thank you to all who have served and are still serving to keep us safe and help in times of need and emergencies.
On this and every ANZAC day LEST WE FORGET each and everyone who have served and are still serving!

 

[Vickers]

My father went from NZ to Nth Africa -in a special force - oe night at 1am they were told to get dressed and get ready to go???? They were all driven in trucks into the desert and then got out and told to head? out into the wild?
Bombs & shrapnel were flying everywhere and he suddenly dropped his rifle and initially wondered why??
Then blood started spurting from his left arm BIG TIME - some shrapnel went through his arm and cut the main artery. So he took off one of his boot laces as tied it around his arm. Hours later was taken to hospital and spent 6 weeks there and when better sent home.
Didn't fire a single bullet!
At least he survived as if the shrapnel had been @ 6 inches to the right it would have gone through his heart.
So he survived the war and his arm was OK.
Passed away at 79
He was a GREAT father

 

[Suzanne rose]

I grew up in a house that always watched the Anzac Day Service on TV.

Anzac day was also my Grandmothers birthday but she wouldn't let us celebrate it until in the afternoon.

My great grandfather William Matthew Brannigan served in WW2 and my cousin Richard served in Vietnam and then was posted in Papua New Guinea where he went missing and it the end his parents were told he met his end by cannibals. Turns out he flirted with a native girl.

Every year I still remember those who served our country to protect us and I always wish my grandmother a happy birthday.


William Matthew Brannigan

 

[Deb1953]

My Grandfather served in the first world war, the Light Horseman . He told us many stories about being in the trenches in Gallipoli. One I remember well was every night there were times of quiet no shooting. The Aussies would shout to the Turks and vice versa from the trenches and often times would share things like cigarettes, biscuits etc. During Christmas day there was ceasefire for a time. They would be quite friendly during these time but then they would be at war again shooting eachother soon after. It was a bewildering story but we listened and helped Pa to retell his stories to a captive audience. He was shot in the leg and fingers in Gallipoli and returned home to operations and pain, he wore a leg brace for the rest of his life or else he limped very badly around he lost a couple of fingers too, he told us a horse bit them off, protecting us from the horror story of being shot off. Dear man, we thank you and your mates who served. I visited Gallipoli several years ago and it was a very humbling experience. My Grandfather died at the age of 74.

 

[Julie1946]

We will never forget

 

[Clancieblue]

One of my fondest memories from school was the Anzac Service held every year in the park.
What a moving and emotional feeling it was to have the privilege to be involved in this very solemn day.
I hope school children today are still taught and feel the respect that I felt.
Lest we forget.

 

[Still Ebby]

We should always be grateful to all those who laid down their life for us.
lt's just horrible that men and women are sent out to kill each other who they don't even know when really it's all these causing the wars that should be fighting each other. l just couldn't kill anyone.
l remember selling poppies and badges on November 11th years ago on our UK Remembrance Day.

 

[Kevin. A.]

My great grandfather on my mother's side fought in the battle of the Somme. He was gassed while fighting in the trenches and was hospitalized just before the end of the war. The gas had burned the inside of his lungs, and he died in hospital as a result of his injuries shortly after the end of the war. Because my great grandfather died of injuries after the war was over. His death was not counted in the official war statistics nor were close family members/wife given any war compensation/pension over his death.

 

[Still Ebby]

My great grandfather on my mother's side fought in the battle of the Somme. He was gassed while fighting in the trenches and was hospitalized just before the end of the war. The gas had burned the inside of his lungs, and he died in hospital as a result of his injuries shortly after the end of the war. Because my great grandfather died of injuries after the war was over. His death was not counted in the official war statistics nor were close family members/wife given any war compensation/pension over his death.

Terrible

 

[Keverall]

Both Grandfathers served in World War 1, and My Father and his two older brothers served in World War 2. Dad's Father even put his age up when he signed up. Even though he was officially old enough. My Father very rarely spoke about what happened, other than the places that he went to. We always went to the March & Morning Service when growing up. Since I have been married my wife and I go to the March & Morning Service. Even if we are away from Home, we go to an Anzac Service where possible. We occasionally go to a Dawn Service. My Father, Uncles & Grandfathers and members of my wife's family who served having passed away a long time ago. We are trying to keep the Family tradition going.

 

[Lunagazer]

I come from a family with a strong military tradition. My Great Uncle Clair was a first replacement at Gallipoli & survived the western front, being gassed in 1918. He spent the rest of his life in & out of Concord Repat until he passed in 1961.
All 4 of my father’s brothers served in WWII & all came home. Uncle Harry was captured 3 times (escaping twice) & was mentioned in dispatches. My father, too young to join, instead built Beaufort bombers & Beaufighters & served in the local anti aircraft batteries.
Two of my brothers & I all served, my older in the Navy, myself & my younger in the Army.
Two of my three sons also serve. My first born is in his 28th year as a sailor & my third born son survived 20 years as a special forces soldier. During his 5 combat tours as a member of 2 Commando regiment, he earned an award for gallantry after rescuing 6 men under heavy enfilade machine gun fire from 3 directions. As the men were in two different positions, he had to go in twice to save them all.

 

[Sherril54]

I come from a family with a strong military tradition. My Great Uncle Clair was a first replacement at Gallipoli & survived the western front, being gassed in 1918. He spent the rest of his life in & out of Concord Repat until he passed in 1961.
All 4 of my father’s brothers served in WWII & all came home. Uncle Harry was captured 3 times (escapingView attachment 73101View attachment 73102View attachment 73103View attachment 73104View attachment 73105View attachment 73106View attachment 73107 twice) & was mentioned in dispatches. My father, too young to join, instead built Beaufort bombers & Beaufighters & served in the local anti aircraft batteries.
Two of my brothers & I all served, my older in the Navy, myself & my younger in the Army.
Two of my three sons also serve. My first born is in his 28th year as a sailor & my third born son survived 20 years as a special forces soldier. During his 3 combat tours as a member of 2 Commando regiment, he earned an award for gallantry after rescuing 6 men under heavy enfilade machine gun fire from 3 directions. As the men were in two different positions, he had to go in twice to save them all.

So well put, you must be so very proud of your family.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

My grandfather was a Brit and joined the 6th London Regiment as a sharpshooter during WW1. He was sent to a place called Loos near Ypes. He was gassed while they were being bombarded by the German artillery, and out of the 200 men in his trench that died, he was one of six that survived, he said he coughed as the medics with their stretchers ran among the men to see who was alive or not. He spent a long time in hospital after that with a burnt out lung, nearly blind, and a deep wound on his shoulder. Shortly before he died in Liverpool, Sydney, hospital, a doctor asked him if he could X-Rray the hump on his shoulder. They did so and it revealed a piece of shrapnel that was lodged there and had been there since that day he was gassed in the trench, he had been carrying that with him until his death in 1965. A good 50 years.

My dad joined the AIF during the Second World War, he was one of the new boys who joined the 2/13th Infantry Battalion (The Devils Own) after their return from El Alamein and Tobruk. They were then sent to New Guinea and Borneo to fight the Japanese. He was by far the youngest in that outfit, joining the army at 17 years of age and pretty glad he had the older soldiers looking after him and the other new boys, taking them under their wings and teaching them the tricks of the trade they had learnt in the desert.
I used to march every year with my dad and the other guys in the 2/13th on ANZAC Day in Sydney. I heard some GREAT stories from that lot. I loved being with them on that day, swapping stories, having a beer and lunch with them.
But that is all in the past now. Dad has passed away and I read over the years as the rest of those fine warriors passed away and their association was no more. Those times with those men I will never forget.

In 1968 I joined the army in Sydney and was sent to Wagga Wagga for my recruit training. When finished, I was sent to an Artillery Unit at North Head to do my Corps training. A year later I was sent to South Vietnam with my unit for a year. My duties were in Artillery Intelligence and Artillery Surveying, giving fixation and orientation to the guns. A lot of time out in the bush at Fire Support Bases, where we operated listening posts.
On my return to Australia, I put in another year of my service. After a year I was sent to Singapore/ Malaya for 2 years serving in Headquarter Battery of the ANZUK Field Regiment. We were essentially a peace keeping force put in place in case the communists acted up again. We were a mix of Aussies, Kiwi's and Poms. And stationed next door to the maddest soldiers I have ever met....the Royal Highland Fusiliers, crazy kids from the streets of Glasgow.....no brains, but very good soldiers. Mad as cut snakes. I spent a lot of time with them, then the Kiwi infantry 1RNZIR, and with our own 6 RAR of the Long Tan fame.

Now that I am in Thailand most of the time, I miss out on the yearly marches in Sydney, not that I can march much with a steel hip. But I enjoy talking to old comrades on the day and reading about the marches in Australia via my Artillery Association emails.
Like I said in a previous post, next year I'll get down to see Hellfire Pass again and join in whatever is going.
Browny

 

[Sherril54]

My grandfather was a Brit and joined the 6th London Regiment as a sharpshooter during WW1. He was sent to a place called Loos near Ypes. He was gassed while they were being bombarded by the German artillery, and out of the 200 men in his trench that died, he was one of six that survived, he said he coughed as the medics with their stretchers ran among the men to see who was alive or not. He spent a long time in hospital after that with a burnt out lung, nearly blind, and a deep wound on his shoulder. Shortly before he died in Liverpool, Sydney, hospital, a doctor asked him if he could X-Rray the hump on his shoulder. They did so and it revealed a piece of shrapnel that was lodged there and had been there since that day he was gassed in the trench, he had been carrying that with him until his death in 1965. A good 50 years.

My dad joined the AIF during the Second World War, he was one of the new boys who joined the 2/13th Infantry Battalion (The Devils Own) after their return from El Alamein and Tobruk. They were then sent to New Guinea and Borneo to fight the Japanese. He was by far the youngest in that outfit, joining the army at 17 years of age and pretty glad he had the older soldiers looking after him and the other new boys, taking them under their wings and teaching them the tricks of the trade they had learnt in the desert.
I used to march every year with my dad and the other guys in the 2/13th on ANZAC Day in Sydney. I heard some GREAT stories from that lot. I loved being with them on that day, swapping stories, having a beer and lunch with them.
But that is all in the past now. Dad has passed away and I read over the years as the rest of those fine warriors passed away and their association was no more. Those times with those men I will never forget.

In 1968 I joined the army in Sydney and was sent to Wagga Wagga for my recruit training. When finished, I was sent to an Artillery Unit at North Head to do my Corps training. A year later I was sent to South Vietnam with my unit for a year. My duties were in Artillery Intelligence and Artillery Surveying, giving fixation and orientation to the guns. A lot of time out in the bush at Fire Support Bases, where we operated listening posts.
On my return to Australia, I put in another year of my service. After a year I was sent to Singapore/ Malaya for 2 years serving in Headquarter Battery of the ANZUK Field Regiment. We were essentially a peace keeping force put in place in case the communists acted up again. We were a mix of Aussies, Kiwi's and Poms. And stationed next door to the maddest soldiers I have ever met....the Royal Highland Fusiliers, crazy kids from the streets of Glasgow.....no brains, but very good soldiers. Mad as cut snakes. I spent a lot of time with them, then the Kiwi infantry 1RNZIR, and with our own 6 RAR of the Long Tan fame.

Now that I am in Thailand most of the time, I miss out on the yearly marches in Sydney, not that I can march much with a steel hip. But I enjoy talking to old comrades on the day and reading about the marches in Australia via my Artillery Association emails.
Like I said in a previous post, next year I'll get down to see Hellfire Pass again and join in whatever is going.
Browny

Thank you.

 

[mitchellowe]

One of my fondest memories from school was the Anzac Service held every year in the park.
What a moving and emotional feeling it was to have the privilege to be involved in this very solemn day.
I hope school children today are still taught and feel the respect that I felt.
Lest we forget.

MY PARENTS were in ENGLAND when the 2nd world war started and during the war the house they lived in was bombed and i think this experience made a difference in their lives
WHEN THE WAR WAS OVER MY PARENTS MOVED OVER HERE TO AUSTRALIA AND I THINK THE WAR CHANGED THEM TO BE BITTER PARENTS 'THEY BECAME 9 TIMES A WEEK DRUNKS WHO TOOK THEIR ANGER OUT ON US CHILDREN
I DO NOT THINK THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO SUFERED TRAUMA AND BECAME BITTER TO THE WORLD
MY OLDER BROTHER AND MYSELF SUFFERED TERRIBLE BEATINGS AS CHILDREN THAT BADLY I REMEMBER A BEATING WHERE I ACTUALLY PISSED MY PANTS AND SHIT MYSELF
I AM SURE THERE WERE WORSE THINGS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF POST WAR CHILDREN AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER CHILDREN MY AGE WHERE LIFE AT HOME WAS HELL
I SERVED THIS COUNTRY FOR 9 YEARS IN THE DEFENCE FORCE AND GET NO THANKS FROM THIS GOVT FOR MY CONTRIBUTION, AS CONFIRMED IN THE LAST PENSION INCREASE AND EVERY OTHER INCREASE SINCE GOING ON THE OLD AGE PENSION
EVERY CPI INCREASE AS FAR AS PENSIONS GO ARE ALWAYS PAID AT A LOWER RATE THAN THE ACUAL CPI THEREFORE EVERY 6 MONTHS PENSIONS FALL BACK TO A LOWER RATE OF PAY THAN WHAT IT SHOULD BE
WHILE EVERYONE IS GETTING TAX CUTS PAY INCREASES AND MORE TAX CUTS, PENSIONERS ARE GETT SWEET F.A. IF THIS IS A LUCKY COUNTRY THEN WHY IS IT ONLY LUCKY FOR CERAIN PEOPLE LIKE THE RICH AND WHY IS THIS COUNTRY BEING LED CONTINUOUSLY BY LIARS AND THIEVES

 

[Sherril54]

MY PARENTS were in ENGLAND when the 2nd world war started and during the war the house they lived in was bombed and i think this experience made a difference in their lives
WHEN THE WAR WAS OVER MY PARENTS MOVED OVER HERE TO AUSTRALIA AND I THINK THE WAR CHANGED THEM TO BE BITTER PARENTS 'THEY BECAME 9 TIMES A WEEK DRUNKS WHO TOOK THEIR ANGER OUT ON US CHILDREN
I DO NOT THINK THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO SUFERED TRAUMA AND BECAME BITTER TO THE WORLD
MY OLDER BROTHER AND MYSELF SUFFERED TERRIBLE BEATINGS AS CHILDREN THAT BADLY I REMEMBER A BEATING WHERE I ACTUALLY PISSED MY PANTS AND SHIT MYSELF
I AM SURE THERE WERE WORSE THINGS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF POST WAR CHILDREN AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER CHILDREN MY AGE WHERE LIFE AT HOME WAS HELL
I SERVED THIS COUNTRY FOR 9 YEARS IN THE DEFENCE FORCE AND GET NO THANKS FROM THIS GOVT FOR MY CONTRIBUTION, AS CONFIRMED IN THE LAST PENSION INCREASE AND EVERY OTHER INCREASE SINCE GOING ON THE OLD AGE PENSION
EVERY CPI INCREASE AS FAR AS PENSIONS GO ARE ALWAYS PAID AT A LOWER RATE THAN THE ACUAL CPI THEREFORE EVERY 6 MONTHS PENSIONS FALL BACK TO A LOWER RATE OF PAY THAN WHAT IT SHOULD BE
WHILE EVERYONE IS GETTING TAX CUTS PAY INCREASES AND MORE TAX CUTS, PENSIONERS ARE GETT SWEET F.A. IF THIS IS A LUCKY COUNTRY THEN WHY IS IT ONLY LUCKY FOR CERAIN PEOPLE LIKE THE RICH AND WHY IS THIS COUNTRY BEING LED CONTINUOUSLY BY LIARS AND THIEVES

This didn`t only happen in families who were immigrants. After the trauma that my mother experienced following her father`s return from Gallipoli, my father served in the Australian Navy WW2. The lucky Country was well and truly embroiled in the fall out. I remember the alcohol abuse, violence, the abuse (physical and mental) it was in almost every household in my neighbourhood, including my own. What a price to pay!. Then when everyone was used up, they were left alone to deal with it (or not deal with it) however they could. As far as pensions go, insult after insult, the idea is that we should all have the capacity to provide for our own retirement, fair enough if you do have the means to take care of yourself financially. However most ordinary people do not, because they have been struggling to keep their head above water, making sure that they all do all the right things, looking after a family, paying their own way without any tax breaks. What I did notice was that many people who did not have much, seemed to think that the rich were better, more entitled than them and deserved to be treated with much more respect!! Isn`t that part of elitist propaganda on which they cut their teeth. Also very convenient for governments to develope policies that keep these people where they belong, powerless, voiceless and broke!!

 

[mitchellowe]

This didn`t only happen in families who were immigrants. After the trauma that my mother experienced following her father`s return from Gallipoli, my father served in the Australian Navy WW2. The lucky Country was well and truly embroiled in the fall out. I remember the alcohol abuse, violence, the abuse (physical and mental) it was in almost every household in my neighbourhood, including my own. What a price to pay!. Then when everyone was used up, they were left alone to deal with it (or not deal with it) however they could. As far as pensions go, insult after insult, the idea is that we should all have the capacity to provide for our own retirement, fair enough if you do have the means to take care of yourself financially. However most ordinary people do not, because they have been struggling to keep their head above water, making sure that they all do all the right things, looking after a family, paying their own way without any tax breaks. What I did notice was that many people who did not have much, seemed to think that the rich were better, more entitled than them and deserved to be treated with much more respect!! Isn`t that part of elitist propaganda on which they cut their teeth. Also very convenient for governments to develope policies that keep these people where they belong, powerless, voiceless and broke!!

i would think not many rich have been in any of the AUTRALIAN ARMED FORCES ANDI DOUBT TOO MANY COULD CARE LESS
MOST OF THEM ARE ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE AND YOU DONT
IF POLLIES WERE ENTITLED TO THE SAME RATE AS PENSIONERS IN THEIR PAY PACKETS AS PAY INCREASES I would bet the formula for WORKING OUT PENSIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED STRAIGHT AFTER THEY FOUND OUT THEY WERE BEING RIPPED OFF JUST LIKE ALL CENTRELINC RECIPIENTS

 

[Wombat2u2004]

i would think not many rich have been in any of the AUTRALIAN ARMED FORCES ANDI DOUBT TOO MANY COULD CARE LESS
MOST OF THEM ARE ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE AND YOU DONT
IF POLLIES WERE ENTITLED TO THE SAME RATE AS PENSIONERS IN THEIR PAY PACKETS AS PAY INCREASES I would bet the formula for WORKING OUT PENSIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED STRAIGHT AFTER THEY FOUND OUT THEY WERE BEING RIPPED OFF JUST LIKE ALL CENTRELINC RECIPIENTS

I was in Vietnam with a national serviceman by the name of Marcus Robinson. His family were super rich, his father was the producer of the TV show "Skippy". But his father, Lee Robinson, was also an ex WWII photographer and War Correspondent. He was proud that his son after him, served after being selected by the national serviceman ballot. So yeah, some of the richies served, those with the right patriotism and attitude. Young Skippy Robinson (Marcus) passed away some years ago now, he was a really nice guy and a good mate.