The Spirit of the ANZACS

Monday night found us sleeping at Ben and Megan's place in Carlton again.
Megan cooked us a lovely 3 course meal on the Monday evening.
I took the rare opportunity, being so close, to attend the dawn service Tuesday morning which commenced at 6am and went for just half an hour.
The Information Centre in Bourke street informed me that it would be too early for the trams, so I went by car. Big mistake, about 40,000 people turned up and most of them in trams!!! It took me ages to park the car, and thoughI got there on time, there were too many people for me to get close enough to see - BUT, the sound was clear and I could hear every word. There were mothers and children and everybody showing respect with silence and rapt attention.
Of course, I thought about my old dad who passed on in 1981. He fought in France for 2 years and after the famous battle at Villers Brettoneux he was fighting around Morlancourt when he got hit in the shoulder by a Whiz Bang which very nearly removed most of his shoulder muscle. His wound was classified as slight although the Doctors warned him he may never be able to lift his arm above his head.




After the service I was eventually able to make my way up to the shrine itself where thousands were waiting to lay wreaths or poppies inside somewhere.



While it was too early to go back to Carlton and ask Megan to let me in, I made my way down to the South Melbourne beach, near to Mark and Val's new abode and it was just magic. There will be a lot to like about living in South Melbourne Here are a few shots around the beach. You will notice some hot air balloons if you look real close.







Later in the morning we were able to visit with Simon and Brenda in Little Lonsdale Street and I was able to walk down the street and take a look at the marchers forming to march up to the shrine in the ANZAC Parade






I was interested to see the Turkish banners at Flinders Street crossing. The Turks were the enemy at Gallipoli but had been invited to join in the march, which was great


The photos at the top of the blog are of My Dad David Holt
Peta Sue's Dad (Wounded at Pozziers) and my Uncle Cyril Ellis.
I've been reading Larry's blog, and my Dad too, who was of Wesleyan Methodist stock, had a bit of a problem with the "after march" booze up, and this many times kept him away from the march, and also the fact that most of his companions were killed in action.
But I still believe in the true spirit of Anzac, and I do not subscribe to the view of some that the whole thing just glorifies war.
A lot of our choicest young men died out there, and a lot of others almost died inside
LEST WE FORGET