Lest we forget

Published on 23 April 2019

This year marks the 104th year since Australian and New Zealand forces landed on what became known as Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915.

It was the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the event that led to the term “Anzacs” for our soldiers.

Tomorrow, Australians will gather at RSL clubs, war memorials and elsewhere to remember the original Anzacs and all our Anzacs since who have served our country in wars and peace keeping missions.

Back in 1915, Fairfield had a population of about 9,000 and it resembled a small country town. In all, 373 men and women enlisted from our area to serve in World War I. Thirty-eight of them died during World War I, including three at Gallipoli - Thomas Sinclair, Edgar Alec Soper and Lyle (Evered) Hodges.

The loss of 38 residents during the war would have taken a heavy emotional toll in our small community.

Tomorrow, Councillors and I will be paying respect to our Anzacs while laying wreaths at Smithfield RSL’s Dawn Service at 5am, Canley Heights RSL at 6.30am and Mounties at 12pm. I invite the community to join us.

We are grateful to those who helped preserve our nation and way of life through their service and sacrifice. Generations of Australian service personnel have defended our values and freedoms for more than a century. It is in the remembrance of their sacrifices that communities across the nation come together on Anzac Day.

Lest we forget.