Talking Point: Remembering the sacrifices

TENS of thousands of Tasmanians have served overseas to fight wars to keep their nation free, writes Peter Scully

Sydney, Australia – 3rd March 2015 - In the lead up to the Gallipoli centenary, Australians today paid their respects to the nation’s fallen Anzacs by placing a poppy in a wall of remembrance beside Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth at Circular Quay. Visitors to the two-metre poppy wall, formed in the shape of “100” to mark the upcoming centenary, were also invited to honour their war heroes by writing a personal message in a remembrance book. Reflecting Cunard’s long-standing association with Australian wartime campaigns, including Gallipoli, both the poppy wall and remembrance book will form the centrepiece of a commemorative service onboard the ship on April 24, the eve of Anzac Day, when Queen Elizabeth reaches the waters off the Gallipoli Peninsula during her current world voyage. Pictures here is Dale Sewell from the Australian Great War Association. Pic, James Morgan

THIS year we commemorate the Centenary of Anzac — 100 years since that fateful landing by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

Much has been written about this tragic event in our military legacy, an event that is now deeply embedded in Australian history.

Anzac Day remains “the one day of the year” to most Australians and will inevitably remain so for today’s and future generations.

But the centenary of this event is not about just revisiting that tragic battle yet again. It is the one appropriate occasion to reflect on the service to our nation by our defence force in all conflicts, past and present — from the Boar War to Iraq.

A time to remember all those men and women who gave their time to serve, to those who suffered physically and mentally as a result, and, of course, to those who gave their lives for their country.

It is also about remembering those who contributed by staying at home and especially those families who lost loved ones.

We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these people and the purpose of this centenary year is to reflect on what others have done to enable us to live in peace in what must be the best nation on earth.

Anzac Centenary Advisory Board chairman Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said: “The Anzac Centenary will be one of the most significant commemorations to take place in our lifetimes. It will be time to honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all those who have worn our nation’s uniform, past and present.

“One of the board’s main objectives for the centenary is to increase the understanding of all Australians of the Anzac experience, our military history and its enduring impacts on the Australia of today.

It will be time to honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all those who have worn our nation’s uniform, past and present.

“The board is determined to ensure that the Anzac Centenary is marked in a way that captures the spirit and reverence it so deserves and that the baton of remembrance is passed on to this and future generations.”

One fact that will surprise most Tasmanians is that of the 100 Australians awarded the Victoria Cross to date, 14 recipients have come from Tasmania.

Today, although only 2.22 per cent of the Australian population resides in Tasmania, our young men and women make up 7 per cent of the Australian Defence Force.

These figures are indicative of our small state punching well above its weight. We should all be proud.

In reflecting on this commemorative occasion some additional statistics may reveal how extensive Australia’s and Tasmania’s contributions were —

Boer War: Our contribution was significant — 23,000 served, including 900 Tasmanians and their horses, of whom about 1000 lost their lives, including 40 Tasmanians. The first war in which nurses served and they made their way to South Africa and return to Tasmania at their own expense.

World War I (1914-1919): The Australian population was 4.9 million and 420,000 enlisted (38.7 per cent of the male population between 18 and 44) — 15,000 were Tasmanians, seven of whom won the Victoria Cross. The Australian casualty rate was among the highest at 64.8 per cent, including over 61,000 deaths — 38 for each day of the 1560 days of war and another 152,284 being wounded. Total Tasmanian deaths was 2432.

World War II (1939-1945): A million Australians served in the Second World War, 575,799 of whom served overseas of these were 30,000 Tasmanians, 16,000 serving overseas and 1100 being killed. Total Australians killed were 39,429 with another 66,563 wounded.

Korean War (1950-1953): 17,164 Aussies served, 339 killed.

Malayan Emergency (1950-1960): 7000 served, 51 killed.

Vietnam War (1962-1975): 49,211 served, 520 killed.

Indonesian Confrontation (1963-1966): 3500 served, 23 killed.

And now we have the conflicts in the Middle East also involving Australians.

These are stunning statistics — more than sufficient reason to pause and remember the sacrifices and to commemorate those who have served their nation.

One of the first, perhaps most significant events, is the Centenary of Anzac Dinner to be held on April 17 at Wrest Point. While this function is the initiative of the greater Hobart branch of the Returned and Services League, it is now sponsored by the state branch of the RSL.

It is not just for servicemen and servicewomen, it is an event for all Tasmanians — those in uniform, those who have worn the uniform, those families with a connection with members in uniform and those families with links with those who gave their lives for this country. But it is more than that, it is an occasion for Tasmanians to pay respect, commemorate and remember those, who by their service, helped keep this nation free.

Peter Scully is a retired Air Vice-Marshal RAAF and chairman of the Tasmanian Anzac Centenary Dinner Committee.

Originally published as Talking Point: Remembering the sacrifices