AT the Anzac Day commemorative service today Yanchep Two Rocks RSL president Bill Jones said April 25, 2019 marked the 104th anniversary of the forever famous, if poorly planned and generally unsuccessful Gallipoli landings in Turkey.
Mr Jones said the original Anzacs had passed into legend but it was hoped people would pause every Anzac Day into the future to remember them and the sacrifices they made for Australia.
“Not only did they endure eight months of constant fighting for little gain and suffering huge casualties, numbering about 10,000 Australian and New Zealanders but then when finally evacuated in December 1915, were then sent off to the even greater horrors of the war on the Western Front in Europe,’’ he said.
“Anzac Day has been set aside and has gained such significance on our national calendar so that we may collectively give thanks to all of the men and women who have put their lives at risk for Australia – in far too many instances having paid the ultimate price.
“We also stop to acknowledge the losses and sacrifices of our military families, the vast number of innocent civilians touched by war, the devastation to cities, towns and villages and remembering also the animals who served alongside their human masters in times of conflict and who suffered the same conditions.
“And others such as the merchant mariners who kept the supply lines open for everyone and the prisoners of war.
He said it was not just World War I that was remembered on April 25 as since then Australian defence personnel had served in many other conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
“I should also mention our oldest exWWII member Ted Gilchrist, who is still with us having had his 101st birthday last September and also mention having only recently lost another member Harry Meader, who passed away, Friday, April 12 and whose funeral I attended yesterday afternoon,” he said.
Earlier today (Thursday, April 25) there were more than 300 breakfasts served at the gun fire breakfast held at the Yanchep Sports and Social Club on Yanchep Beach Rd.
