Humble heroes led Anzacs in trenches and served us

Many believed that Gallipoli would be the making of Australia. While it was a military disaster some men emerged from the smoke of battle to become successful in the halls of power

Supplied Editorial History: Sir Charles Rosenthal in uniform in World War I. Must credit State Library of NSW.

Tomorrow Australians will commemorate the ­centenary of the Gallipoli landings — a seminal ­moment in our young nation’s history when Australian troops took part in their first major offensive of World War 1.

Many believed the battle would be the making of our ­nation and ­although it turned into a military disaster in which thousands of Australians died, it did prove to be the making of many who survived.

Some of those who fought would ­become heroes, others forged a reputation as leaders on and off the battlefield. Among them were officers Charles Rosenthal and ­Michael Bruxner. Both were military men honoured for their roles in the war and who on their return took their leadership skills into the political arena. Their stories are told in Politics & Sacrifice: NSW Parliament And The Anzacs, which is open to visitors ­tomorrow at State Parliament.

A lieutenant colonel in charge of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, ­Rosenthal was there on April 25 when the troops landed at Gallipoli. Born in Berrima in 1875, the son of a ­Danish-born schoolmaster and a Swedish-born mother, he trained as an architect, but also joined a local militia unit while living in Victoria. He was also an accomplished singer. Rosenthal was an established ­architect, militia officer and oratorio singer in Sydney when war broke out in 1914. He joined the AIF and in April 1915 found himself on the beach at Gallipoli.

Known to his men as “Rosie”, he clashed with Anzac commander Maj Gen William Bridges, who ­initially refused to let him land his guns because the beach was not ­secure. He persuaded Bridges otherwise and his artillery played a key role in repelling a Turkish counter attack on April 26.

Wounded in the leg, Rosenthal is said to have entertained other ­injured troops on a hospital ship with a rendition of Handel’s Arm, Arm Ye Brave. He returned to Gallipoli but was wounded again and evacuated to England.

Sir Charles Rosenthal in uniform in World War I. Picture: State Library of NSW

Promoted to Brigadier, he commanded troops on the Western Front at Pozieres, Somme, Mouquet Farm, Ypres and Passchendaele. At Passchendaele he managed to capture three Germans despite having been gassed. In 1918 he was promoted to Major General where his expertise with the creeping barrage proved ­effective at Hamel, Peronne, Mont St Quentin and Montbrehain. For his service he was knighted in 1919. Rosenthal was also awarded a Distinguished Service Order, a French and Belgian Croix de Guerre and the ­Legion d’honneur.

On returning home he ­remained involved with the military, rebuilt his architectural practice (although he briefly studied law) and also became involved in politics. He was an alderman of the Sydney Municipal Council from 1921-24 and served as member for Bathurst in the Legislative ­Assembly from 1922-25.

During World War II he filled the post of Administrator of Norfolk Island, where his ­architectural skills were useful in developing in the island. He ­returned to Australia in 1947 and died at Green Point in NSW in May 1954.

A very different personality, Bruxner was a stockman, born at Sandilands station near Tabulam, NSW, in 1882. An accomplished horseman, he was an amateur jockey, owned racehorses and was involved with cricket and rugby clubs and the local agricultural society.

Bruxner was involved with the local militia and in 1911 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 6th Australian (New England) Light Horse. At the outbreak of war, he signed up, joining the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment of the AIF. He landed at Gallipoli on May 19 and was badly wounded a few days later while supervising his men trying to rebuild a collapsed parapet of a trench. After spending time recuperating, he rejoined his men in the Sinai desert, where he took part in the battle of ­Romani, repelling the Turks from capturing the Suez Canal.

Returning home in 1919, Bruxner resumed life as a grazier, but got involved in politics, standing as a Progressive Party candidate in the 1920 election. Being “the ­colonel” and a hero of Gallipoli, his military career helped to win him the North Tablelands seat. When the Progressives split, he became leader of a group of Rural Progressives, which after the 1925 election became the Country Party.

In 1927 he became member for Tenterfield and over his long parliamentary career he would also become minister for local government, minister for transport and later deputy premier. He resigned from parliament in 1962 and was later knighted. He died in 1970.

Originally published as Humble heroes led Anzacs in trenches and served us