ANZAC Day means a great deal to me and my family. My Great Grandfather, James Chadwick was an ANZAC who went to Gallipoli. My Father, Mark Sherlock worked for the RSL for 30 years, continuing to promote the ANZAC legacy. Both of them are no longer here, and yet, my passion for continuing the ANZAC legacy is alive and well. As a Primary Teacher, I was asked by the RSL in 2003 to reflect on my own journey to Gallipoli, a place I visited with two of my best friends. In sharing this journey, I asked my then students to consider what the ANZAC legacy means to them. Now as adults of their own, I hope that they have grown to remember and respect the ANZAC memory. Now as a Mother, I think about my own children and how I can educate them to greatly respect this day each year.
Below is both the video and transcript of this tribute fifteen years later, from the Great Grand Daughter an ANZAC, this ANZAC Day eve.
My Great Grand Father was James Chadwick, who enlisted in the Australian imperial force at Mildura, on 6th of January 1914 at the age of 21. Private Chadwick was posted to B Squadron – 13th Australian Light horse regiment as a Trooper, and his regimental number was 150. the regiment disembarked at ANZAC Cove on the 11th September 1915, and for the next four months, his regiment fought in the infantry in and around the areas of Lone Pine. My Great Grand Father was evacuated from Gallipoli on the 11th December 1915 due to illness, however he later rejoined the regiment, and was sent to Sinai, where he was engaged in the defence of the Suez Canal. On the 27th May, 1919 as a surviving member if his regiment he embarked for home from Liverpool and arrived in Port Melbourne on the 5th June 1919.
Since that day, the ANZAC spirit has remained a part of the Chadwick family, and his spirit has lived on in his 23 Great Grand Children (and since this video was made 15 Great Grandchildren) and in my heart, as I remain passionate about keeping the ANZAC legacy alive in the hearts andm minds about of the millions of Australians who owe their way of life to the lives of those courageous young men.
Just as those men were called, so was I, to venture across the world to visit the place where so many young Australians fought so that we may be able to live in peace. My whole life I had wanted to visit this special place and in 2006, I made the journey to ANZAC cove with my two best mates, just as my Great Grand Father had done almost 100 years before.
As I stoof on the shores of ANZAC Cove, I took a moment to look around and take in the overwhelming feeling of being in a place that had meant so much to our family, and so much to our nation. I wondered to myself if the people around me felt the same? And whether or not they too felt goosebumps on their skin, as we stood in awe of the sheer cliffs that were presented to those young soldiers at dawn on that day. The sign ANZAC dominated the skyline and never had I felt more proud to be an Australian.
I took a moment to myself on the shore and took out my phone where I rang my family back in Australia to let them know that I was standing on the shores of ANZAC cove. My Dad told me that I was standing in the place where my Great Grandfather once stood with those brave young ANZACs who fought for our freedom. As I looked down to the water, I thought to myself how peaceful this place felt, how clear and calm the water was, and how at ease I felt as I stoof quietly, trying to take in the feeling so I could remember it forever. I looked down towards the rocks and thought how beautiful and colourful they were, and how a century before me, the water would have displayed a mixture of different colours. The colours of war. Like the rocks in the water, the ANZAC spirit has whit stood the test of time, and has remained steadfast as we move through time and the generations.
One day, my Great Grandfather may have been standing there, where I was standing.
However I ventured through the terrain of the Gallipoli Peninsula, I came to understand how the Turkish soldiers gave of their lives too, for the freedom of their people. Like Ataturk said…
‘Those heroes that shed their blod and lost their lives. You are now lying in the soil of friendly country. There is no difference between the Jonnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You the Mothers that have sent your sons from far away countries. Wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well’
As a teacher of the young, I have made it my endeavour to ensure that our students remember and respect the sacrifices made by those soldiers and all soldiers who fought for peace. I have made it my responsibility of continuing the journey of remembering the ANZACS and the dedication that they showed towards working together so that we may live our life in a wonderful country. I hope that one day they too will be inspired to make the journey to Gallipoli, to experience for themselves the overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for the young brace soldiers who gave of themselves for us.
Now and forever. Old and Young.
LEST WE FORGET
