ANZACs and war and stuff

[Hitcher]

For most .. dying was not something that was thought of.

They would have thought about it OK. Everybody thinks about death, we prefer to dwell on more positive thoughts. Soldiers are no different. The WWII guys particularly would have known what happened in Belgium in WWI.

[Edbear]

For most .. dying was not something that was thought of. They saw it all as a big adventure ... and a chance to travel. Something very few of them could do had there been no war.

"It wont happen to me" was the usual remark .... and as well as ... "It will be all over by Christmas" ...

Yup. It was advertised as glorious and exciting. Not mentioning the mud and the exposed fields and beaches, the exhaustion and horror of getting body parts blown off, dysentery, the noise and fear.

Disillusionment seems to be the predominant feeling of returnees.

Does everyone feel the current promotion of ANZAC day will have the desired effect on how people look forward? How do you balance an aversion to war with respect for those who went and do you believe it was worth it?

[Edbear]

They would have thought about it OK. Everybody thinks about death, we prefer to dwell on more positive thoughts. Soldiers are no different. The WWII guys particularly would have known what happened in Belgium in WWI.

People were more realistic in WW2, sort of "here we go again" with those survivors of WW1 under no illusions.

It appears that WW2 made the whole world more circumspect about war and we have seen strenuous efforts since to avoid escalating conflict to involve more nations.

Witness the lengths the US and Sth Korea and China have gone to make sure Nth Korea doesn't cause international conflict. Governments are fully aware of MAD and are desperate to avoid risking that.

[FJRider]

Yup. It was advertised as glorious and exciting. Not mentioning the mud and the exposed fields and beaches, the exhaustion and horror of getting body parts blown off, dysentery, the noise and fear.

They wouldn't have found out about that until they saw it for themselves.

Disillusionment seems to be the predominant feeling of returnees.

The usual feeling of returning soldiers from any war.

Does everyone feel the current promotion of ANZAC day will have the desired effect on how people look forward? How do you balance an aversion to war with respect for those who went and do you believe it was worth it?

The desired effect is the belief it can't happen again.

A silly thing to believe eh .. !!!

[MadDuck]

Has anyone here been able to hear first hand stories from fathers, grandfathers or grandmothers about their experiences and how it affected them?

Yes I remember sitting on my Grandfathers knee and hearing the stories. He came back a very bitter man after WW2. He resented the church and all they had while people starved in the streets. He was based in Italy and Egypt.

I also witnessed my Uncle on his return from Vietnam as a medic. Not much I can say to describe the difference I saw in him.

[Smifffy]

Grandad might not have wanted to talk about it much with his family, but every ANZAC day he'd go and get on the lash at the RSA with his old comrades, and those that still serve and they would all talk up a storm.

There may be less of them left, but that's even more reason to honour them.

If you were really interested, you could wander down to your local cenotaph tomorrow, and ask around there. Let us know how you get on.

[Edbear]

Yes I remember sitting on my Grandfathers knee and hearing the stories. He came back a very bitter man after WW2. He resented the church and all they had while people starved in the streets. He was based in Italy and Egypt.

I also witnessed my Uncle on his return from Vietnam as a medic. Not much I can say to describe the difference I saw in him.

Many witnessed the hypocrisy of the churches during the wars. My father-in-law hated religion after WW2. He was a mechanic in the Pacific. Mother-in-law was a nurse in England but never spoke of it much.

Your Uncle would have seen horrors!

[MadDuck]

Grandad might not have wanted to talk about it much with his family, but every ANZAC day he'd go and get on the lash at the RSA with his old comrades, and those that still serve and they would all talk up a storm.

That was the hardest thing for me in his later years. My Granddad was Merchant Navy and was not allowed to join the RSA. All he wanted was to have a 'lash' with comrades and those that were there.

[Mom]

Grandad might not have wanted to talk about it much with his family, but every ANZAC day he'd go and get on the lash at the RSA with his old comrades.

And this is probably why I still play Last Post...

The "old" guys share so much when they have had a few. They still dont tell all, but they will share a few funny stories.

When I get asked why I play Last Post my standard answer is "I Love making old men cry". And I do. And it is important they do.

[Hitcher]

The RSA hasn't always been an organisation to be proud of. In some cases just a bunch of grumpy old farts keen to hang onto the rank and privileges structures they found in the military. They certainly didn't go out of their way to do anything to acknowledge my Grandpa in his last days. So what if he survived Chunuk Bair.

Some of the bravest folks in the war were merchant navy sailors. Good grief, they were the ones getting shot at in the Atlantic convoys, not to mention on that return trip from the UK to Murmansk (all going well).

There were lots of incredibly brave civilians in WWII. We shouldn't forget them tomorrow either.

[Edbear]

I made the comment earlier that more people nowadays would register as CO's if called up. How do you feel? Would you join up or refuse?

Of course it may be a different political scene these days but I'd be interested in views in this, too.

[PrincessBandit]

Saw the item on Seven Sharp tonight - interviews with four trumpeters/buglers who play at the various Anzac Parades. A real cross section of the community and all very proud to perform for it.

I always get a lump in my throat when I hear it, including at our assembly at school last week (since Anzac Day falls in the holidays).

My grandad never talked about the war either - nanna said he only ever wanted to forget the experience (although his diary, which is in our family) makes for fascinating reading showing the monotony of day to day life on the boat over, drills they had to perform etc. The horror of what he witnessed was touched on briefly, and as far as I know was limited to the diary, never discussed at home.

Well done Mom for still playing. I thought of you tonight while watching the article on tv.

[MadDuck]

I made the comment earlier that more people nowadays would register as CO's if called up. How do you feel? Would you join up or refuse?

Of course it may be a different political scene these days but I'd be interested in views in this, too.

You really are very good at the trolling thing. I nearly bit. See you at Silverdale RSA 5.45am tomorrow.

[Edbear]

You really are very good at the trolling thing. I nearly bit. See you at Silverdale RSA 5.45am tomorrow.

Ha ha, no I genuinely am interested to see if and how attitudes have changed over the years. Not trolling this time, honest.

[The Reibz]

7 years Navy and still serving. Been attending dawn services since I could walk. Used to march with the grandfather every year.
Biggest day of the year in the service and it isn't just commemorating WW1 vets. ITS FOR ALL SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN