News
Gallipoli Day. 25th April 2010
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ABC News photo gallery of Anzac Day in Australia and elsewhere
Irish President visits Gallipoli
Member Mal Murray writes:
On Tuesday 23rd April the Irish President, Mary McAleese, was in Ankara where she met with the President of Turkey, HE Mr Abdullah Gül and later with the Turkish Prime Minister, HE Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. She laid a wreath on the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In the afternoon, President McAleese paid a courtesy call on HE Mr. Mehmet Ali Sahin, speaker of the Turkish Parliament and attended a reception for the Irish community hosted by the Ambassador of Ireland. The President of Turkey, HE Mr Adullah Gül and Mrs Hayrúnnisa Gül hosted a dinner for the Irish delegation that evening.
On Wednesday (24th) the President flew to the Gallipoli region and visited several of the principal locations associated with World War 1. The President laid a wreath on the main Turkish memorial, the Monument of Martyrs.
Later, the President attended a commemorative ceremony including wreath laying at Green Hill Cemetery in memory of the many Irish soldiers who lost their lives and who are buried in this area. At the service which followed, the President said,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Some say graveyards are sad places, other say they are peaceful. However, few have referred to them more memorably or with such haunting eloquence and statesmanship, as the father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, when he said, in 1934, of those who died in Gallipoli:
"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well."
These truly remarkable words, by a remarkable statesman and soldier, written when the searing memory and bitterness of that so called "Great War" was still fresh and raw in peoples' minds, is a testament not only to the man, but to the generosity of spirit of the Turkish people. We in Ireland – and in many other countries – can learn from the underlying sentiment of forgiveness and compassion which resonates down through the decades from these generous and inspiring comments. Only a soldier who has witnessed at first hand the traumatic heat and horror of battle could have uttered such gracious and healing remarks.
The distance of time and historical perspective can allow us to question the folly of that war and the appalling waste of countless wonderful, courageous young men on both sides. The Irish who fought for the British Empire here were not only destined to be overwhelmed by those who opposed them but to have their memory doubly overwhelmed, for they fought in a campaign that was lost and so long overlooked and back home fellow citizens were taking on the might of that same Empire to secure Irish independence. Those fortunate enough few who returned alive from Gallipoli returned to considerable ambivalence even hostility about their role and their sacrifice.
Distance of time and changing historical context now allows us to make up for that deficit of remembrance and in doing so to contribute to the much needed healing of memory on our own divided island. So we come today to honour our Irish dead those who fought in British uniforms those who fought in ANZAC uniforms and to honour those whom they fought, the young Turkish men who defended their homeland. Each one deserves our prayers, respect and remembrance. Within the hallowed boundaries of this Cemetery they now rest, each individual story a challenge to the world's citizens to find ways other than war to resolve our problems.
Francis Ledwidge was an Irish soldier and poet who died in France in 1917. In his poem "The Irish in Gallipoli", he called on Ireland to weep for her sons who lie here.
"but not for sorrow….. angels once again
Come back like exile birds to guard their sleep."
We none of us are angels but we have come to guard their sleep and their memory.
(Mal's report was first posted in the new members forum. Please login to view the forum).
The 29th Division Memorial
| The annual commemoration at the 29th Division Memorial, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire took place on Sunday 14 March. David Ray, a member of the Gallipoli Association, welcomed the organisations and individuals present and gave a moving address, concluding: "We are here today to remember the fallen during those eight months, 1,500 miles away. 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." |
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After the address, wreaths were laid by Cllr. Kam Kaur, Mayor of Rugby and by James Watson-Smith on behalf of The Gallipoli Association. Wreaths were also laid by Chris Holland representing the Heart of England Branch of The Western Front Association, Lyn Edmonds of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers (whose grandfather served with the 'Dublins' and was present when the King reviewed the Division), Noel Doolan for the Royal Military Police Association and Major Bandy on behalf of The Great War Society.
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James Watson Smith lays the |
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The Last Post was sounded and the strong representation of Standard Bearers lowered their standards for the Exhortation. There followed a minute's silence, reveille and the raising of Standards. Two platoons of Great War Society 'Living History' troops, including two 'VADs' in period costume, were also present and added a historic touch to the occasion. Some 20 other people were also in attendance.
2009
FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE, WESTMINSTER ABBEY
On Thursday 5 November 2009 The Gallipoli Association had its usual plot and was represented by committee member Hugh Jenner.
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The Association plot (centre) |
Close-up of individual tributes |
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ‘ALL THE KING’S MEN’
The fifth annual memorial service took place on Sunday 13 September 2009 at West Newton Church on the Sandringham Estate. On an excellent sunny day the church was full with additional seating put in place. There were representatives present from Turkey, New Zealand and France. After the service all gathered in the Village Hall for tea and ANZAC biscuits. Captain Roger Kidd explained how the campaign affected the population of New Zealand.
Note: The next service will be held on Sunday 12th September 2010 for details contact the organiser John Crowe tel: 02086972787 Mobile: 07956188826 e mail - johncrowe@uwclub.net
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Army and Air Force |
Lt Colonel Mehmet Canli reading |
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A reflective moment for Lt Commander Arthur Coxon before laying the wreath for the Association at the window dedicated to Captain Frank Beck and the men of the 5th Bat. Norfolk Reg. |
After the service. 2nd from left Sir Michael Oswald. Right to left Mrs Canli, Lt Col Mehmet Canli, Captain Roger Roger Kidd, New Zealand and Mrs Kidd, The Mayoress and The Mayor of King's Lynn and West Norfolk. |
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Lt Commander Arthur Coxon |
The Association display in |
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Helping to prepare the |
Lt Colonel Mehmet Canli with his wife and children together with Raphael and Nathalie Distante from Normandy, France. |
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Captain Roger Kidd and |
In the Village Hall. |
Third East Anglian Regional Lunch
This successful lunch took place on Friday 26th June 2009 at the historic King’s Lynn Town Hall. Thirty four members and guests received a welcome drink in the Stone Hall in the presence of the Mayor. The speaker was the Association’s historian Colonel Michael Hickey who gave a vivid description of the problems experienced at Suvla Bay in l915.
Note: Next year the lunch will be held on Friday 25th June 2010 for details contact the organiser John Crowe.
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Group photograph in the |
The speaker, |
The lunch in full swing, with Graham Beck the previous speaker,
at bottom right Graham's great uncle was Captain Frank Beck
of the 5th Norfolks.
AGM and Autumn lunch
15th October 2009 saw an excellent AGM and a superb lunch followed by a first class talk from Professor Richard Holmes (right). Professor Holmes focused on the characters and spirit of Gallipoli, and he was presented with an association tie and Gallipolian CD.
At the AGM the past-year's committee was re-elected.
Official events in Gallipoli, April 2009
Membership Secretary John Crowe was present to participate in the ceremonies on the peninsula on 24 and 25th April this year. He joined other representatives at wreath laying services at Turkish, British, Anzac and French locations, and was also able to renew and build on existing friendships and contacts. John writes:
'The emphasis throughout the two days was the defining of nationhood for Turkey, Australia and New Zealand. Following the Gallipoli campaign, the three countries emerged as new nations, and over the ensuing years a strong bond has developed between them'.
John's full report can be read in the August 2009 edition of the Gallipolian.
Photos below:
Left: John joins representatives at the Helles memorial.
Right: Enthusiastic Turkish representation
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April 25th 2009 events in the UK
Click here to see a report on the April 25th events in London.
Click here to see photos of the April 25th event at the National Memorial Arboretum. (Offsite link).