Thread: 100 years of ANZAC

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Yes, I am aware of it, but probably did not appreciate how big an event it is in WA.

One point that perhaps should be made is that they did not sail for Gallipoli from Albany - unless I am mistaken the fleet disembarked the Australian soldiers in Egypt, from where they sailed to Gallipoli months later.

John

Correct John.
The troops disembarked at Alexandria in Egypt, continued training and eventually sailed on to Gallipoli as required. The still fit and able sailed back to Alexandria at the end of the Gallipoli Campaign and prepared to head off to France in the Spring of 1916.

Cheers, Mick.

Hi all,
Well our town is filling up for sure. Caravans and campers setup on our sports grounds, organised by the local council , supermarkets are empty as the locals stockup and prepare to battern down and please let there be enough fuel for them to all go home! Have heard there are 3 convoys of 20 busses comming down from Perth with passengers. These busses will be used to transport people around town as no cars are allowed, suposed to be no more than 5 minutes wait between busses to get to the different sites.
Also upsetting the locals is that there has been traffic lights installed at the major roundabout in town, we havent had traffic lights up till now, they arent permanate though.

Today Ive seen media vans from all the Aus TV as well as the BBC, NBC, TVNZ.
One bit of controversy is the fact that the Light horse brigade wasnt allowed to march in the main parade, due to public liability concerns, however a compromise was reached and they are allowed to be on display at one of the street intersections as the parade passes by. work that one out! This local brigade of horses march on ANZAC day every year, and have never put a foot wrong. They will be putting on a display at the horse race club on Sunday

However there is a darkside, local gossip has it that there have been finds of firearms and homemade explosives in a neighbouring town, police are denighing the fact that it has anything to do with the weekend. Please I hope they are right, we dont want to go there.

My great uncle Jack was on the first convoy with the 8th South Canturbury mounted rifles NZ. He was in the first group to land at Gallopi, survived 8 weeks on the battle feild and was sent home wounded. At home he Slept in a tent on the lawn and would only go in the house to eat. He died 6 months later in his sleep of ''shell shock''. Their Regiment motto was ''Moveo et profitor'' Latin for, By my actions Im known.

Will be in town Saturday so will see what photos I can get, I think the ABC is doing a three hour broadcast of Saturdays event, better coverage than I could do.

Cheers Steve