Dave Norman writes song to tell unknown story of WWI submariners

A RATHER unknown WWI story has inspired a new song, written and recorded in Queensland ahead of the Anzac Day centenary commemorations.

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DAVE Norman is sharing a rather unknown story of the AE2 submarine, by creating a song for the Anzac Day centenary commemoration.

Mr Norman was in the recording studio in late March putting the finishing touches on The Silent Anzac — the story of the first submarine to penetrate the Dardanelles Strait to the Marmara Sea in 1915, on the morning soldiers landed at Gallipoli.

Mr Norma, from Mango Hill, north of Brisbane, said he too did not know much about the use of submarines in WWI but felt inspired after learning the story.

“Someone came to the Mango Hill Progress Association meeting and did a talk on the AE2 submarine,” he said.

It was then he learned the AE2 became the first Royal Australian Navy warship to conduct a torpedo attack against an enemy warship.

“Most people don’t think about submarines being a part of WWI,” he said.

“But these people should be recognised for the work they did. I can’t imagine sitting in metal, going through the water and thinking at any moment you could get blown to smithereens.”

To commemorate 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, and recognise the sacrifices of those men and women who have served out country since WWI, Quest Community Newspapers will publish one story each day online in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

Adding to a memorial at Kallangur, Mr Norman wrote a poem and then put it to music. He will record the song with local filmmaker and musician Robert Martin, bass player Geoff Armstrong and Moreton Celtic Fiddle Club.

He will perform the song at the Mango Hill Anzac Centenary Festival on April 25.

THIS story is part of Quest Community Newspaper’s 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Stories project, which will profile Queensland WWI heroes and families as the nation builds up to the centenary of the Allied landing on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

If you have the details and war record of a family member who served during WWI, let us know on our Facebook page or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Dave Norman writes song to tell unknown story of WWI submariners