How the students of John Palmer Public School recalled the sacrifices made by our Anzacs

TIANNA Knight remembered the sacrifices made by Australian defence forces, including her great-grandfather, at the various wars around the world, during the moving Anzac Day service at John Palmer Public School last week.

John Palmer School students laying wreaths at the Anzac Day service. Pictures: Peter Kelly

• Two charged over Riverstone bashing
• Billy cart racing anyone?

TIANNA Knight remembered the sacrifices made by Australian defence forces, including her great-grandfather, at the various wars around the world, during the moving Anzac Day service at John Palmer Public School last week.

Captains from The Ponds school, Riley Michelle, Vince Bolos, Tianna, Chloe Vrontamitis, Kace Hobby and Brandon Valenton, led the Anzac Day ceremony where Castle Hill RSL president Don Tait was the guest of honour.

Mr Tait and Michelle Tipton from the P & C laid wreaths under the flag pole along with each class, who made their own. During the wreath-laying, the school choir sang Lest We Forget by Michael Reynolds.

John Palmer School school captains Riley Michelle and Tianna Knight.

Tianna said she had learnt a lot about the sacrifices made by Australians and New Zealanders during the wars when she was the Anzac Youth Ambassador last year.

In her speech, Tianna spoke about her grandfather, Leonard Deasy, who died two months ago, aged 93. He was a heavy anti aircraft gunner during WW II and fought in PNG.

“At Castle Hill RSL I saw a photo of newly enlisted WW1 soldiers sitting on the side of a pyramid, in the photo there were almost the same amount of soldiers as there are students at our school,” Tianna told the school assembly.

John Palmer School students lay wreaths they made themselves.

“Within a week over half of these soldiers had died, never having a chance to say goodbye to their family.

“This is what is meant by sacrifice, and hardship, we owe it to their memory to pay our respects.

“People like Private James Turnbull Grieve, who was a farmer from our area, when he enlisted in World War 1.

“Private Grieve wrote a letter to his parents on the 27th August, 1915. He was killed in action, later that same day.

Tianna Knight with Castle Hill RSL president Don Tait.

“Private Grieve’s story is typical of all that those brave soldiers and today’s service men and women continue to give up for us.

“So when you hear the song “The band played Waltzing Matilda” carefully listen to the last verse:

“…and the young people ask ‘what are they marching for? And I ask myself the same question. And the band plays Waltzing Matilda as the old men still answered the call. But year after year more old men disappear, some day no one will march here at all”.

“As the next generation it is our duty to make sure that never happens.”

Don Tait laying a wreath with student Tianna Knight.

Tianna Knight”s speech

Australians and New Zealanders take time each ANZAC DAY to remember those who served, and honour the sacrifices they made in our country’s name. We hear this phrase every year, but raise your hand if you actually know what this means?

Before last year, when I became the Anzac youth ambassador I did not grasp just how much past generations sacrificed.

At Castle Hill RSL I saw a photo of newly enlisted WW1 soldiers sitting on the side of a pyramid, in the photo there were almost the same amount of soldiers as there are students at our school. Within a week over half of these soldiers had died, never having a chance to say goodbye to their family. This is what is meant by sacrifice, and hardship, we owe it to their memory to pay our respects.

People like Private James Turnbull Grieve, who was a farmer from our area, when he enlisted in World War 1. Private Grieve wrote a letter to his parents on the 27th August, 1915. He was killed in action, later that same day.

In the letter he says:

“At two o’clock on Sunday morning we were all roused out of bed and told that we had to make a charge. There were bullets and machine guns whizzing all around, also shrapnel which is worst of all. After the charge, I got into a trench with about 60 of our battalion, we had to stop for about 35 hours and keep the Turks at bay. In that trench things were awful. We were in such a cramped position and it was almost impossible to get water.

Private Grieve’s story is typical of all that those brave soldiers and todays service men and women continue to give up for us.

So when you hear the song “The band played Waltzing Matilda” carefully listen to the last verse:

“…and the young people ask ‘what are they marching for? And I ask myself the same question. And the band plays Waltzing Matilda as the old men still answered the call. But year after year more old men disappear, some day no one will march here at all”.

As the next generation it is our duty to make sure that never happens.

My great grandfather, an anti-aircraft gunner in WWII, passed away a few months ago, it is now my job to share his stories so they are not forgotten.

I would now like to introduce to you all one of these great heroes Colonel Don Tait, the president of the Castle Hill RSL. I was very fortunate to listen and meet Colonel Tait last year and have invited him to attend our ANZAC service as our honoured guest as I believe sharing our stories is the only way to make sure the ANZAC memory stays alive.

Lest We Forget.