frank macdonald mm memorial prize - the … · frank macdonald mm memorial prize ... why was this...

Frank MacDonald MM Memorial Prize Question One: Every year since 1916, Australians have commemorated the first day of the landings at Gallipoli - 25 April. How relevant is the national significance of ANZAC Day nearly 100 years on? Why was this event considered so important and so powerful that it has endured beyond the lifetime of any person who was there at the time?

Image 1, Pozières, France

Olivia Toohey

Calvin Christian Secondary School

Word count: 1158

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Olivia Toohey

Every year since 1916, Australians have commemorated the first day of the landings at

Gallipoli - 25 April. How relevant is the national significance of ANZAC Day nearly 100

years on? Why was this event considered so important and so powerful that it has

endured beyond the lifetime of any person who was there at the time?

Throughout my research into the Anzac legend, one term that has become most

prominent is mateship. This is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “Companionship or

friendship”1. Mateship is the one word that can be used to express the relevance of

ANZAC Day and the true meaning of the Anzac legend. As stated in 2006 by, RSL National

President, Major General Bill Crews, “Mateship is at the heart of what we refer to as the

Anzac values: it drives loyalty, courage, endurance and sacrifice. It is a compelling reason for

most acts of heroism, and the suffering so often experienced by our servicemen and

women: for not letting down the team is a powerful motivator in our nation’s psyche.”2 I

have learnt that ANZAC Day is a time to commemorate this quality of the Anzac legend.

This day is not only used to remember the lives lost throughout the war, but also a day to

remind ourselves to keep the quality of mateship embedded within the Australian nation.

The national significance of ANZAC Day, almost 100 years on, still continues to be

relevant due to the Anzac legend. ANZAC began in 1914 as the acronym for Australian and

New Zealand Army Corps, but soon developed into the characteristics of the ANZACs

1 Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014). mateship: definition of mateship in Oxford dictionary (British & World English). [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mateship [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014]. 2 Awm.gov.au, (2014). Anzac Day 2006 National Ceremony Commemorative Address | Australian War Memorial. [online] Available at: http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/2006_speech_crews/ [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

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themselves. This term comes from the Gallipoli campaign 25th April, 1915 ending with an

evacuation of troops on the 20th December 1915. ANZAC qualities are said to be

characteristics of Australian soldiers. These include perseverance, bravery, mateship and

good humour. The creator and supporter of the Anzac legend was Australia’s official war

correspondent, Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean. “No one liked shell fire, but public opinion

demanded that, whatever men felt, not by the flicker of an eyelid must they show it.…That

careless, easy manner and apparent indifference to shell fire marked the Australians on

every battlefield.”3 Bean’s descriptions about the ANZACs spread throughout the world

giving hope to Australian families and high expectations to the remaining allies. Bean was

accused of bias; he would exaggerate the slight accomplishments and lessen the major

loses. Despite his exaggerations some soldiers managed to live up to the expectations of

the Anzac legend. Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts, was a young Tasmanian soldier who

died at the age of 24, after serving in Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front, in the battle

of Pozières, during which he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Margetts fought

gallantly and embodied the qualities of the Anzac legend. He was loved by those who

served with him and was dearly missed after his passing. Private G. A. McKenzie who was

associated with Margetts Company wrote, “I cried like a kid when I found he was dead. I

think he went because he was too good for the beastliness of war…”4 McKenzie also wrote

a personal letter home to Margetts parents telling them the details of his death and

sharing in their sadness. “He was the most popular man in the Batt and he never done a

bad turn to anyone since we left Hobart Shore. It is the worst shock the 12th Batt has had

3 Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook] Available at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30 Aug. 2014]. 4 Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.

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since the war started. Anyone would of gave their life for to save his little toe”5 These

examples of mateship show the true meaning of the Anzac legend. Although legend,

qualities of soldiers like Margetts and McKenzie could contradict this belief. These assets

were also noted in Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918. “…the

feeling of “mateship” was intensely strong in the Australian soldiers. When they were

plunged into their first action, there was invariably in these men a desire to show their

mates that they more than shared their danger.”6 Through these men the Anzac legend

continues, true or false, and is the reason it is still relevant that Australians

commemorate their lives, 100 years on.

The actions of the ANZACs at Gallipoli during 1915 are arguably considered so important

and powerful that they have lasted 100 years. When considering the soldiers at Gallipoli

the significance has little to do with the battle in itself. The Gallipoli campaign was aimed

at capturing the coast of Turkey, at the time held by the Ottoman Empire, supporting

Germany and Austro-Hungary. In reality the campaign was a horrific and unfortunate

massacre in which over 8,000 lives were lost and no real gain was achieved. After

surviving his first day at Gallipoli, Private Frank Brent from the Australian 2nd Brigade

wrote in his diary, “On the first day, we were just mixed up and running about like a lot of

rabbits – nobody could see who was who or what was what. And it was then for the first

time we realised what the taking of Anzac Ridge had cost, because hardly any of our mates

were left.”7 The powerful part of Gallipoli that has retained for so long is how it shaped

5 Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd. 6 Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook] Available at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30 Aug. 2014]. 7 Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

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Australia as a nation. In a way it was Australia’s coming of age or debut. It was a means

for Australia to demonstrate to the world how strong they could perform as a newly

formed nation, laying the foundations for the reputation of mateship for which Australia

is known. In his ANZAC Day speech, author Les Carlyon stated, “We, as a nation, could

have talked about these events in France and Belgium, but mostly we didn’t, and still don’t.

Gallipoli is the campaign that goes past the brain and wriggles into the heart. … Gallipoli is

part of the national mythology and mythology is seldom objective… In Australia, Gallipoli is

… a state of mind, a place in the heart, and the stuff of warm inner glows for those of us

who were lucky enough not to have been there”8 For Australians the most memorable

time during the eight months of gruelling warfare was the very first moments. On the

dawn of the 25th April 1915, the first boats of the landing party were set to embark upon

the shores of Gallipoli. “It was pitch dark then all of a sudden the coast, a dim outline of the

coast loomed up. As we got closer, we were all beginning to get tensed up, nervous,

wondering what was going to happen as everything was so quiet.”9 Over 20,000 men from

both Australia and New Zealand were participating; four battalions in total all part of the

First Australian Division. They were faced with an unknown and overwhelming situation

for which they were not prepared. What is most prominent throughout the process of

this landing is the way in which the Australian soldiers demonstrated perseverance. Once

Gallipoli was over, no one wished to recall the blood loss and lives ruined instead it was

easier to reminisce of the ANZACs in their most honourable moments. This is what

Australians take pride in to this day and why Gallipoli can be seen as so significant.

8 People of the Great War: Shaping the Modern World. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Additional_Resources_Activity_2_Shaping_National_Identities.pdf [Accessed 31 Aug. 2014]. 9 Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

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Although Gallipoli can be seen as a significant campaign, it can be argued that other

battles were of equal importance. The 1916 Battle of Pozières is arguably a greater

example of Australian sacrifice as noted by Scott Bennett, “Gallipoli symbolised the

nation’s coming of age, while Pozieres exposed the darker, uglier side of war.”10 Pozières

was crucial in the Battle of the Somme and the first point at which the Australians were

involved on the Western Front. The aim of the Battle of the Somme was to capture the

high points situated throughout the Western Front. One of these high points was

Pozières; a town located on small hill, therefore prized territory held by the Germans. The

Battle of Pozières Ridge was launched at 1:30 am, 23 July 1916. Correspondent John

Masefield stated its purpose, in the book Pozières, The ANZAC Story. “The tactical aim of

the Australians was to drive the enemy off the high land. The tactical aim of the enemy was

to shell the Australians off it.”11 Although the village of Pozières was obtained in one hour,

capturing the Pozières Ridge took two weeks of solid fighting, completed on the 4th

August 1916. The events that occurred during these days are described throughout

diaries and letters written by distraught soldiers who fought through the Battle of

Pozières. “We beat Fritz, beat him easy, he would not stand up and fight like a man, but

fled before us, and then- turned and tore us to pieces with his artillery. Nearly all my mates

are gone.”12 The Australian soldiers fighting in the Somme were given the utmost

responsibly of capturing Pozières and because of this, encountered the greatest amount

of loss. In turn the Battle of Pozières strengthened the legend of the ANZAC and became

10 Bennett . . o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications. 11 Bennett, S. (2011). o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications. 12 Trove.nla.gov.au, (2014). 30 Mar 1917 - The Battle of Pozleres FORMER JERILDERIE BOY'S E.... [online] Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134452132 [Accessed 29 Aug. 2014].

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a well-known date in The Great War. Noted by Sir Douglas Haig, “The capture of Pozieres

by the Australians will live in history.”13 There are major differences between the Gallipoli

campaign and the Battle of Pozieres Ridge, “If Gallipoli signified Australia’s ‘debut’ on the

world stage, Pozieres laid bare the consequences of a small nation, still uncertain of its

identity, participating in an international war.”14 While Gallipoli was tedious with just over

8,000 casualties, Pozières was only seven weeks and included a total of more than

23,000 casualties. Gallipoli’s significance is the creation of the Anzac legend, whilst

Pozières is most telling due to the sheer loss made by Australian forces.

For 98 years ANZAC Day has been commemorated by Australians. ANZAC Day has

developed through many generations. It has become apparent to me through my

research, that although different, each generation recognises ANZAC Day as a time to

inform younger generations and share in remembering with the older. As stated in 1972

by Prime Minister McMahon, “We are here to honour those who died in war and to

commemorate-Anzac Day, one of the notable anniversaries in our history… It is my hope

that the younger generation, as it grows to manhood, will not forget what my generation so

well remembers… We loathe war: Its brutality, its tragedy and its waste. But we also

cherish our inheritance, freedom and liberty.”15 Whilst standing in the footsteps of the

fallen soldiers, Prime Minister Julia Gillard emphasised in her ANZAC Day speech, “we do

today what those who left these shores most dearly hoped: We come back… To give the

best and only gift that can matter anymore – our remembrance. We remember what the

13 Bennett . . o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications. 14 Bennett . . o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications. 15 Pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au, (2014). ANZAC OPEN AIR SERVICE - CONCOR NSW - 23 APRIL 1972 - SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIAM MCMAHON CH MP. [online] Available at: http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=2568 [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

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Anzacs did in war. And for what they did to shape our nation in peace… This is the legend of

Anzac, and it belongs to every Australian.”16 Comparing two speeches made in

commemoration of ANZAC Day, 40 years apart, the similarities are displayed. It is

because of these needs to teach and reminisce, formed because of the Anzac legend,

that 100 years on ANZAC Day continues to be commemorated.

16 'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, T. (2012). 'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, Turks and the mates they left behind. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald. Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/a-place-shining-with-honour-pm-honours-diggers-turks-and-the-mates-they-left-behind-20120425-1xkok.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

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Image 2 Image 4

Image 3

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Olivia Toohey

Bibliography

Websites

'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, T. (2012). 'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, Turks and the mates they left behind. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald. Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/a-place-shining-with-honour-pm-honours-diggers-turks-and-the-mates-they-left-behind-20120425-1xkok.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Aif.adfa.edu.au, (2014). Details. [online] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=187306 [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Anzacsite.gov.au, (2014). Gallipoli and the Anzacs | Gallipoli tour - Historical Background - Gallipoli, 25 April 1915 – 8 January 1916. [online] Available at: http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/2visiting/tgallipoli.html [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

Awm.gov.au, (2014). Anzac Day 2006 National Ceremony Commemorative Address | Australian War Memorial. [online] Available at: http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/2006_speech_crews/ [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook] Available at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30 Aug. 2014].

Bennett . . o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications.

Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.

Firstworldwar.com, (2009). First World War.com - Battles - The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, 1916. [online] Available at: http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/pozieres.htm [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014). mateship: definition of mateship in Oxford dictionary (British & World English). [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mateship [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

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Olivia Toohey

People of the Great War: Shaping the Modern World. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Additional_Resources_Activity_2_Shaping_National_Identities.pdf [Accessed 31 Aug. 2014].

Pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au, (2014). ANZAC OPEN AIR SERVICE - CONCOR NSW - 23 APRIL 1972 - SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIAM MCMAHON CH MP. [online] Available at: http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=2568 [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

TheAustralian, (2014). Man of war who helped create Anzac legend. [online] Available at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/man-of-war-who-helped-create-anzac-legend/story-e6frg6zo-1225948197637?nk=f18a5fb024add2cb627bd3283276223a [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Trove.nla.gov.au, (2014). 30 Mar 1917 - The Battle of Pozleres FORMER JERILDERIE BOY'S E.... [online] Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134452132 [Accessed 29 Aug. 2014].

Ww1westernfront.gov.au, (2014). Charles Bean at Pozières | Visiting the 1st Australian Division Memorial | 1st Australian Division Memorial, Pozières | Australians on the Western Front 1914-1918. [online] Available at: http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-australian-memorial/visiting-pozieres/charles-bean-at-pozieres.php [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Books and PDFs

'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, T. (2012). 'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, Turks and the mates they left behind. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald. Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/a-place-shining-with-honour-pm-honours-diggers-turks-and-the-mates-they-left-behind-20120425-1xkok.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Aif.adfa.edu.au, (2014). Details. [online] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=187306 [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Anzacsite.gov.au, (2014). Gallipoli and the Anzacs | Gallipoli tour - Historical Background - Gallipoli, 25 April 1915 – 8 January 1916. [online] Available at: http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/2visiting/tgallipoli.html [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

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Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook] Available at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30 Aug. 2014].

Bennett . . o i res. st ed. Carlton orth, Vic.: Scribe Publications.

Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.

Firstworldwar.com, (2009). First World War.com - Battles - The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, 1916. [online] Available at: http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/pozieres.htm [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014). mateship: definition of mateship in Oxford dictionary (British & World English). [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mateship [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

People of the Great War: Shaping the Modern World. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Additional_Resources_Activity_2_Shaping_National_Identities.pdf [Accessed 31 Aug. 2014].

Pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au, (2014). ANZAC OPEN AIR SERVICE - CONCOR NSW - 23 APRIL 1972 - SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIAM MCMAHON CH MP. [online] Available at: http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=2568 [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

TheAustralian, (2014). Man of war who helped create Anzac legend. [online] Available at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/man-of-war-who-helped-create-anzac-legend/story-e6frg6zo-1225948197637?nk=f18a5fb024add2cb627bd3283276223a [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Trove.nla.gov.au, (2014). 30 Mar 1917 - The Battle of Pozleres FORMER JERILDERIE BOY'S E.... [online] Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134452132 [Accessed 29 Aug. 2014].

Ww1westernfront.gov.au, (2014). Charles Bean at Pozières | Visiting the 1st Australian Division Memorial | 1st Australian Division Memorial, Pozières | Australians on the Western Front 1914-

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1918. [online] Available at: http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-australian-memorial/visiting-pozieres/charles-bean-at-pozieres.php [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Photographs

Image 1:

The lost grave of Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts destroyed after German bombing.


Image 2 and 3:

The memorial plaque of Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts, Tasmanian Soldiers Walk, photographs taken by Olivia Toohey.

Image 4:

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France, of the 12th Infantry Battalion, Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts.

Findagrave.com, (2014). Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts (1891 - 1916) - Find A Grave Memorial. [online] Available at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16185465 [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

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