Lest We Forget
those who gave up
their tomorrow
so we can enjoy
our today.
I come from a long history of family military service. I remember and honor all that served. Lest we forget.
ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is recognized globally on the anniversary of the landing of troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula in World War I at dawn on April 25, 1915. In Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Newfoundland it is known as the Gallipoli Campaign or simply as Gallipoli.
A joint Imperial British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the geographical area that is now Turkey and provide a secure sea route for military and agricultural trade with the Russians including the strategically important Dardanelles in the Aegean. Russian troops were fighting on many fronts, particularly against troops from Germany and the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. 70,000 troops were amassed including the ANZAC forces were the first to arrive to fight on new sea fronts
As dawn broke on 25th April 1915, the troops were towed ashore in lifeboats to land at what quickly became known as Anzac Cove, and some way short of the intended landing place. ‘The boats missed their bearing‘ and it proved to be a costly mistake. On the first day alone over 2,000 men lost their lives and little ground was won.
Heavy casualties and bravery of military personnel were experienced on both sides in the 260 days at Gallipoli from April to December 1915. In the battles, many lives were lost on both sides and the Allied forces did not succeed. The last ANZAC forces withdrew from the Gallipoli peninsula by December 20, 1915. The retreat was just about the only successful operation with very few casualties.
Over 8,000 Australian and 2,721 New Zealand soldiers soldiers died in the Gallipoli campaign alone, and even though the campaign was a military failure, the ANZAC legend was formed. Many saw this as the start of the ANZAC spirit. This is an Australasian ideal based on the “mateship” and cheerful suffering the forces showed during this campaign. | |
In Turkey, the campaign is known as the Çanakkale Savaşları, after the province of Çanakkale. In Turkey, the battle is perceived as a defining moment in the history of the Turkish people – a final surge in the defense of the motherland as the centuries-old Ottoman Empire was crumbling. The struggle laid the grounds for the Turkish War of Independence and the foundation of the Turkish Republic 8 years later under Ataturk, himself a commander at Galipoli. |
In spite of losses, the Battle of Gallipoli / Çanakkale Savaşları resonated profoundly among all nations involved.
ANZAC Day has since evolved to additionally mark remembrance for the lives of those who died in all military actions, before and after.
On April 25 every year, ceremonies, parades, the wearing of red poppies, reunions of current & past military personnel, memorial services and other activities are held on ANZAC Day with a heightened sense of nationalism to solemnly remember the lives of those who participated or died in military action, particularly on the Gallipoli peninsula in World War I.
Dawn prayer or church services are a particularly important aspect of ANZAC Day. These represent the comradeship that the soldiers experienced as they woke each morning to prepare for another day of military action.
After the services, ‘gunfire breakfast‘ (coffee with rum in it) is often served.
SIMKIN FAMILY MILITARY HISTORY
REMEMBERING MY FAMILY
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![]() Henry Walter Simkin Enlisted in the Australia Imperial Forces (Australian Army) in 1915 one week after his son, my grandfather enlisted. He re-enlisted in 1916 and was sent to France where he fought in World War I at Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele (one of the worst battles in modern history), where after he was charged going AWOL on May 9, 1918, found guilty of desertion, and sentenced to 3 years of penal servitude. His wife is told he’s dead and is granted a widow’s pension. Soon after, he is found alive, and the widows pension is cancelled. On June 12, 1918, his sentence was suspended, and on August 9, 1918, he was returned to Australia. |
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![]() Roy Henry Simkin (Pap) Enlisted in the Australia Imperial Forces (Australian Army) at age 17 (with parental consent pretending to be 18) in 1915. He was gassed by mustard gas in World War I in 1918 near Le Havre, France, medically evacuated to England, refused to be discharged, literally jumped the return ship, and went back to his unit on the front lines in France only to be shot in the right shoulder in 1918, and returned to Australia. He also served as a government consultant during World War II. |
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Father Brigadier General Maxwell Byron Simkin, CBE KStJ Commissioned from Royal Military College Duntroon in 1942 and fought in the Middle East and South East Asia during World War II. He fought the Japanese in hand-to-hand combat in Malaya and New Guinea. In 1945 he commanded both 49th and 11th Australian Squadron Air Liaison Sections. He attended the Australian Staff College in 1948 and has served as a parachute instructor, with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, The Royal Australian Regiment, and Commander of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. In 1968 he was appointed the first Director of the Australian Army Aviation Corps. Awarded the M.B.E. for military service in Malaya, the C.B.E. for his service as Commander in Vũng Tàu, South Vietnam, the USA Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in Vietnam, promoted to Knight of the Order of St. John by Her Majesty the Queen in 1994. |
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Mother Irene Marshall Royal Air Force Warrant Officer served in World War II as Assistant to Marshall of the R.A.F., the Lord Tedder at Whitehall, England, Malaya and Singapore and met my father while teaching him how to parachute in England. Awarded the rare King George VI Malaya Medal for service in the Malaysian theatre of war. |
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Brother Colonel Tim Simkin, CSC Commissioned from Royal Military College Duntroon on December 9th, 1980. Was the Australian Military Adviser to the U.N. and served in East Timor and Iraq. |
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Sister Mandy Jeanroy Managed procurement for all Australian Defense (Army, Navy, Air Force and civilian) at the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. |
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Me Toby Simkin For a very brief time, I was in Australian Army Intelligence. |
For The Fallen
The fourth stanza or verse of a well-known poem, known as The Ode, is read aloud at many ceremonies. The “For The Fallen” poem was written by Laurence Binyon in 1914. It commemorates those who died and can never grow old.
For the Fallen
BY LAURENCE BINYON
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
For more information visit:
Anzac Day traditions from the Australian War Memorial
For a film that gives a glimpse into the ANZAC spirit, I recommend Gallipoli (1981)