World War One
As we approach the Centenary of World War I, we start to think about the tremendous sacrifice so many of our diggers made. It is unimaginable to think that over 60,000 young men died in Gallipoli and the Western Front.
When you visit the battlefields of France and Belgium and the cemeteries and memorials you see countless numbers of white crosses honoring the fallen. Many of those crosses are for soldiers who are “Known Only to God”.
At the various memorials such as VC Corner and Menin Gate the names of those who were missing in action are engraved in stone. The Australian Government’s official estimation is there are approximately 18,000 Diggers lying under the fields of France and Belgium.
Continue reading "Digging up fallen diggers is the ultimate indignity" »
But for a sniper’s sticky trigger, I would not be sitting here writing a last minute article about forgetting to remember Remembrance Day.
For those whose history is a little fuzzy, what was first known as Armistice Day commemorates the moment the guns of the Western Front fell silent at the end of the First World War, at 11am on 11 November 1918.
It became Remembrance Day after the Second World War, and has since become an opportunity for us to pay tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present. At 11am, time stands still.
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Gallipoli says:
ANZAC & Gallipoli was like a dream. It was a fantastic place with its history and incredible natural surroundings and also entertainment. I spent 3 unforgettable days in there with my family. I would like to special thanks for the company TTG Travel They provided us a very professional and… Read more »
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RoseyGirl says:
Interesting historic tale that I didn’t know before, but I think Dan means he wouldn’t be here if his Grandfather had been killed by a sniper on a cigarette rescue, not the war as a whole. Read more »
Lebanon became part of the French Mandate, a provision of the post world war one League of Nations, today in 1918. They gained independence in 1943 when France was occupied by Germany in 1940.
It’s Wednesday at The Punch. What’s on your mind? Share it here.
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Billy Boyle says:
Trouble tonight in the middle east, a headline older than most of the people of the planet, do you think anyone can resolve this, or is it catchcry for eternity. Read more »
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S.L says:
@ Macca….I know many 4wd owners and to them their vehicles are just transport not status symbols but this guy was definitely driving his anatomy extender. Read more »
Welcome to Monday at The Punch
The Treaty of Versailles was signed by the allied forces today in 1919, officially ending World War One. Share your thoughts on this event, or anything else for that matter, right here.
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A Dose of Reality says:
The Real Dave @ POST. Yes the Australian Light Horse (Mounted Infantry) did a magnificent job. However you are incorrect. The “Desert Army” made its’ way up the coast from Egypt, it was exposed to and vulnerable to a flanking movement all the way. It was the Arabs, who had… Read more »
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TheRealDave says:
Not to mention half the trouble started with Lawrence and his band of Arab clowns were allowed to stir up Arab Nationalism and pretend they kicked out the Ottomans when in fact it was the Desert Army spearheaded by the Australian Light Horse who did all the hard work and… Read more »
Those people with strong religious beliefs tend to think graves are better left undisturbed. People with strong non-religious beliefs share this view.
“Let the dead rest” is a universal sentiment that is only ever challenged when foul play or mass executions are suspected.
There is no good reason to dig up our Diggers. Nothing will be gained by identifying those members of the 31st Battalion, and others, who died at Pheasant Wood in France, in July 1916. We already know what happened.
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WagnerMara21 says:
I took my first personal loans when I was 32 and that helped me a lot. But, I require the student loan as well. Read more »
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Denny Carr says:
Bit late on the scene but: They asked the families what they wanted and went with the consensus. Read more »
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