Remembering our fallen

Published on 24 April 2018

Today marks the 103rd 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. It was the event that led to the term "Anzacs" for our soldiers.

Today, Australians will gather at RSL clubs, war memorials and elsewhere to remember the original World War I Anzacs and all our Anzacs who have since 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, with scattered houses and farms, a few shops and dirt tracks. In all, 373 men and women enlisted from our area to serve in World War I. 38 of them died during World War I, including three at Gallipoli - Thomas Sinclair, Edgar Alec Soper and Lyle (Evered) Hodges.

Because Fairfield was then such a small community, most people would have known those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The loss of 38 residents during the war would have taken a heavy emotional toll in our community.

Today Councillors and I will be paying respect to those Fairfield Anzacs who "gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays" while laying wreaths at Smithfield RSL's Dawn Service at 5am, Fairfield RSL at 5am, Cabra-Vale Diggers at 5.45am, Canley Heights RSL at 7am and Mounties at 12pm. I invite the community to join us.

We should be grateful to those who helped preserve our nation and way of life through their service and sacrifice from the original Anzacs to today. Generations of Australian service people have defended our values and freedoms in wars, conflicts and peace operations 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.