“THE ANZAC SPIRIT”

by Desmond Kelly “the Star of eLanka”

A century ago, during the early months of 1915, World war 1 was raging in most parts of Europe, including the Ottoman Empire, that, in our geography books, is now known as Turkey. Russian troops were then fighting on many fronts, particularly against the Germans and troops of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires.

At dawn, on the 25th of April, 1915, combined forces from France, Great Britain & the British Empire, including Australia and New Zealand landed at various points on the Gallipoli Peninsula. This campaign was aimed at “opening”new fronts for the allied troops, plus a “trade-route” to Russia.

In the battle that ensued, many lives were lost, the final result also being that the opening to the trade-route to Russia was not accomplished. All the fighting, horrible injuries and deaths were for nothing.
The last of the Anzac Forces withdrew from Gallipoli on the 20th of December, 1915, thankfully, with very few casualties, in one of a very few successful “operations” of the time.

In spite of all their “losses”, in what was another useless war, this is where “THE ANZAC SPIRIT” was born. Gallipoli will always be remembered for the “mateship” shown by both Australian and New Zealand troops who fought, lived & died together and, this is why “THE ANZAC SPIRIT” should never be forgotten.

This writer sometimes “comes across” articles, poems & prose in various news-letters sent to him.

I have never ever believed in “copying” stories such as this, so, if I believe that certain “content” would be interesting to the readers of e’Lanka & The Lanka Times, I re-edit the “stories” such as the one above and the one below and re-submit same, which I think, should interest you. Another important “tip” especially for our Lankan “writers” is this. PLEASE give us your NAME at the finish of your story. There is nothing worse than seeing a “AUTHOR UNKNOWN” sign at the bottom of a good “article”. Now, I take it upon myself to re-edit “THE FINAL INSPECTION”(Author unknown) :-

The soldier stood and faced his God
Which finally “comes to pass”
He hoped his boots were shining
As brightly as his “brass”
“Step forward now, my soldier,
How shall I deal with you,
Have you always “turned the other cheek”,
To “my church”, have you been true”?

The soldier stood up straight and said
“No, my Lord, not me,
Cause those of us who carry guns,
Can-not, always, be free,
I’ve had to fight, most Sundays,
At times, I have talked tough,
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Lord, every war is rough”.

“I never took a penny, since,
That wasn’t mine, to keep,
And worked a lot of “overtime”,
When our bills became too steep
And, I’ve not ignored a cry for help,
Though, at times, I shook with fear,
And, sometimes, Lord forgive me,
I’ve shed a lonely tear,
I know I don’t deserve a home,
Behind these golden gates,
But I have always “been there”,
For all my Anzac-Mates.
If there is a place for me, Lord
It needn’t be too grand
I’ve never expected, or had too much
If you don’t, I’ll understand”,

There was this eerie silence,
Around the throne of God
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his Lord
“Step forward now, my Soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully now, on Heaven’s Streets,
You’ve done your time IN HELL”.

Desmond Kelly.
“Star of e’Lanka”.