One hundred and ten years ago, the landing at Gallipoli for all Australians, has become a day to be remembered anywhere in Australia. No matter where Australians living, it is the largest day of the year to remember and commemorate the events of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, World War One.
Every year, people asking me why Australians have so much passion for this day of the year, which in fact was a disaster from the first day.
The landing, at 4.00am in the morning, over 2000 Australians died in 24 hours.
In the First World War, all the soldiers were volunteers, and very enthusiastically
Volunteered to serve their Country. The correct age to enlist in the Australian Army in World War One was 18, but we do know that many Australian young men lied their age and enlisted at 16 and 17 years old.
War was not in their minds, they looked going and travel oversees as an adventure, and to see other places away from home. The youngest Australian soldier to enlist and die at Gallipoli was James Martin from Victoria age 14. He landed at Gallipoli at 14 and three months old, and died from disease, at the age 14 and nine months old. He remains the youngest Australian soldier to enlist and die in war in the Australian Forces.
Many large battles occurred by the Australians at Gallipoli, such as the battle at the Nek, and at the battle at Lone Pine in August 1915. Over 2000 Australian Casualties, killed or wounded in this battle, and nearly 7.000 Ottoman troops either killed or wounded. Seven Australians were awarded the Victorian Cross for their part at Lone Pine, the highest number awarded for a single action in Australia’s wartime history.
By December 1915, all Australian troops were evacuated from Gallipoli, with over 26.000 Australian casualties, Killed & wounded.
Approximately 400.000 Australians serve in World War One, with 60.000 deaths.
From Victoria, 89.000 served with 19.000 deaths.
It’s important also to acknowledge the 10 Greek-Australians, in the Australian Forces that died in World War One.
CHIFITHIS, Alexander, age 23, ELIAS, Charles, age 31, FLORIAS, John, age 29,
HALKAS, Arthur, age 29, KELLAS, George, age 20, MACRYANNIS, Basil, age 23,
MANOUSOS, Leonidas, age 22, PAXINOS,Leonidas, age 39, RADOS, Peter, age 23,
ZOULANOS, Reuben, age 26. Peter Rados was the only one to die in Gallipoli.
“LEST WE FORGET”
*Steve Kyritsis OAM is the Past President, Hellenic RSL, Melbourne.
