Shrine of Remembrance. Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
The main street, called Rue de Melbourne isn’t in Melbourne, my hometown. The Victoria School isn’t in the state of Victoria, where I live.
They’re both in a French town called Villers Bretonneux. There in the school, the students still sing the haunting lyrics of Waltzing Matilda, the old Australian national anthem.
Yes, little French children sing the Australian words "billabong", "coolibah tree", "jumbuck" and "swagman". Emblazoned prominently around their school are several signs that say: "Do not forget Australia."
The Australian flag flies over this town. It is a fitting gesture of respect, for the Australian flag once flew over this town after a terribly bloody battle.
The story goes back to the northern hemisphere spring of 1918. German troops captured Villers-Bretonneux on 23 April and two Australian brigades were ordered to retake the town before the Germans pushed towards Amiens.
The attack began late on the night of 24 April and by dawn the next day the Australians controlled the town. But almost 1200 Diggers had fallen during the battle.
Publishing this salute to history and sacrifice is especially significant today, for it is exactly 91 years to the day that the Australians liberated the town. And for about five hours after this auto-posts on my site, hundreds of people, young and old, will be gathering in reverence and in silence here in Melbourne, at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Today is Anzac Day and the traditional dawn service will honour all those who laid down their lives to ensure our freedom.
Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Protection''.
neat story Sandy
ReplyDeleteA very fitting tribute! I thought that flame was a ghost! HA!
ReplyDeleteI learn something new all the time when I come here, though I had heard of Anzac Day.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's very touching.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Love the first photo. Great perspective on it!
Nicely done David. A fitting remembrance for those who gave it all, not for their own freedom, but for that of those in another land half a world away.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Waltzing Matilda was the national anthem. What a shame it isn't anymore.
ReplyDeleteBless those who gave their lives for freedom. How often we just forget and go on with our 'lives'. While they have given theirs.
Thanks for this David. Your own lovely tribute has reached across the world and made me think of them today too.
Very enjoyable post David, with great shots too.
ReplyDeleteFancy A give-away? then pop to
http://imac-photosfromthemindseye.blogspot.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this moving story from WW I, David. May those who gave their lives in war rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteAnzac Day. I have heard of this ever since I went overseas in 1953. The photography is very good and I like the assortment of pictures you posted.
ReplyDeleteIt still fascinates me that we have wars like the Korean War, called a "police action," and then other places have their own wars with names so strange to me. I guess that is how the world works.
Not sure you are interested in seeing something but if you go to http://gordonohio.blogspot.com/ you can see my new blog about the hamlet where I was born and grew up.
As children in Canada, we learn a song about Australia:
ReplyDeleteKookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Merry, merry King of the bush is he
Laugh, Kookaburra
Laugh, Kookaburra
Gay your life must be
It's quite catchy, even though none of us had any idea what a Kookaburra was... or a gum tree. We imagined pink trees with bubblegum leaves.
Who knows why we sing that? It was a daily anthem as we put toys away in kindergarten.
Beautiful Story David.
What an wonderful blog- amazing photography and interesting stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
That's a lovely tribute. Anzac Day as a term triggers a faint memory, but I had no idea what it meant.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
A terrific post, and a beautiful tribute through both photos and words! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteExtremely poignant and a good reminder of what we need to remember.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Great respect shown by the French. Great example.
I have a great friend, an elderly man, over in France at the moment. I'm sure he's soaking up the atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteMay their gallant and brave service and sacrifice long be remembered.
ReplyDeleteWhere did the term Anzac originate? Is it one of the heroes of the day?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute, that town. The photos are great!
ReplyDeleteVery moving... Lest we forget....
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post and a wonderful tribute to brave heroes! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story and the photos. It's a great choice for the theme and a reminder to us all.
ReplyDeleteMine is posted here.
Wow! Great history behind your photos:) Learned something new as well.
ReplyDeleteI've done a PH post as well. Please visit http://upcountrysmiles.com
Aloha,
Cindy O
What a nice post...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteListening to Waltzing Matilda at the moment (the first time, thanks to you). Thanks for sharing the story and great (as usual) pics.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
That was true and valiant protection at a time when it was really needed.
ReplyDeleteMy take is humorous this week.
Stop by and see mine if you have the chance.
JyLnC's Photo Hunt
A wonderful story of real courage and protection.
ReplyDeletethat's really touching and a good post for our theme this week.
ReplyDeleteMy PH is here
We both gave honour to ANZAC Day in an unusual way rather than just celebrating the services and parades. Enjoyed your insight into the French connection!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post David and a timely reminder of the importance of not forgetting the sacrifice made by so many.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteMine is here.
There are lots to hear from each part of the world. It was good for me to know about this touching story.It reminded me of Amar Jawan Jyothi (the flame of the Immortal Warrior)...which is in India Gate,Delhi...site of Indian army's Tomb of the unknown soldier. Incidentally it is for the British Indian Army who lost their lives during World War 1 & also the Afghan Wars.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment in my blog. Hope to see more of your comments:)
Fabulous photos and a great story. Perfect for this week's PH theme.
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice for "protect(ion)" Appreciate the history and background. Great photos to go with it.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for the history lesson.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your informative, moving and thought provoking post. I really like your take on the theme. I particularly like it because my husband and my father are veterans, (of different wars) and it always makes me feel good to see people acknowledging the value of what soldiers do.
ReplyDeletehttp://healingmagichands.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/photohunt-protection/
This is beautiful and very touching. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Cool how much respect is shown there for Australia.
ReplyDeleteA great story. With great photos to go along with it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and now I have "Waltzing Matilda" stuck in my head. Thanks a lot!