Posted 12 years ago
vetraio50
(756 items)
The word Tommy has cropped up a couple of times recently and here it has a different meaning appropriate to today's public holiday here in Australia and New Zealand.
April 25 is ANZAC DAY.
A day of remembrance, ANZAC DAY is probably the most important national occasion for both Australia and New Zealand.
Originally 25 April every year was to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, and Tonga. These days it has a broader significance and commemorates all those who have served their country in conflict since Gallipoli.
The card I found among the other PC' s in the Maude Lankester collection is actually one of three that she kept from the Daily Mail series. These were a series of cards that were bought by soldiers' families eager to search through the numerous images of troops at war in the hope they might see their loved ones pictured on the cards.
The photographer is thought to be stills-photographer Ernest Brooks, a well-known 'society' photographer; who had worked for the Daily Mirror and the Graphic prior to the Great War. He went to the Somme in May 1916, after having worked for the Admiralty "covering the Gallipoli operation from H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth."
"Also known as The Daily Mail Battle Pictures the collection numbered 176 cards (in 22 series of 8 cards each) and was based on 105 photographs taken by members of the small band of official photographers that were located on the Western Front. Most of the cards depicted scenes and incidents from the Battle of the Somme 1916. (The 'battle' was not a continuous one, but rather a series of battles and actions that raged from July until November).
The cards were produced in three 'finishes' or formats, colour, silver-print and photogravure. Some of the images were in one format, some in two and a few in all three. "
http://www.dailymailwarpostcardsebook.co.uk
Postcard, 'Official War Photographs', Daily Mail, England, 1916
Production date: 1916
Height: 90 mm or 3.5"
Width: 139 mm or 5.5"
One of my Mum's uncles Myles O'Reilly DCM died on 4 October 1917 at the Battle of Brootseinde. He was one of 6,500 Australians casualties that day in Belgium.
He had served at Gallipoli earlier on as well with his brother Charles. I had met Charles (or Uncle Charlie) when I was three years old and only have a vague memory of him. He drifted away from his family here in Sydney and nothing more was heard from him after 1953. I knew nothing about his service until last week while researching this card for ANZAC DAY. It's a long story that as yet I don't fully understand but I am determined to find out more about Myles and Charlie.
I've added a picture of Myles that we have in the family archive.
Many thanks bratjdd, Amber Rose and MoonstoneL!
Many thanks Sean B! Have a great day!
Great story!
Many thanks mustangT, Sizzle and to you too blunderbuss2!
No, we thank. Haven't yet understood why poster's thank us?
Politesse?
Putting an item back at the top so that it might be Loved yet again?
Many thanks hulalady, Phil, petey and mustangT too!
What a great card and how appropriate for today vetraio, did you go to the dawn service?....:-)
Hi inky! Didn't make it, I have to admit.
Nice posting, and a good history lesson to boot!
Many thanks Ted! I'm learning a lot more about this period.
Great postcard and information. Soldiers learn quickly to dig in-- these hasty positions evolved into full trench lines as the stalement dragged on.
scott
ANZAC DAY Wonderful and detailed explanation, I had known about Gallipoli, but now I have a better understanding of the History. What a beautiful photo also! After Vietnam you read numbers of casualties, but one photo can really make you stop and think. I also remember sleeping in holes!
A lot came back changed from WWI. On my Dads Mums side, 5 brothers went, 2 were killed and one disappeared not long afterwards, so they really only got 2 out of 5 back.
Many thanks to everyone, Don, the Moirs, justanovice, lovedecanters, Manikin, gargoylecollector, czechman and musikchoo too!
Many thanks SteveS!
What a great story and many thanks for information. I could imagine that scene of waiting for the arrival of newly printed PC's... in hopes to see a familiar face.
Uncle Myles is a very dapper gent. Good luck in your search Vetraio.
Thanks for reminding us of this important day, & good luck in your quest to find out more info of your family members.
I had the opportunity to try the Anzac biscuit a couple of years ago at a function honouring Canadian Veterans. It was an opportunity to learn a little bit of the sacrifices made by the Australians & New Zealand soldiers.
Thanks to you all for these comments. The search continues for Charlie's role and things are becoming clearer.
Myles lies at Zonnebeke, Tyne Cot.
http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/tyne-cot/index.html
"Ode of Remembrance"
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget!
Thanks walksoftly!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_of_Remembrance
Robert Laurence Binyon.
You're welcome vetraio.
In remembrance of your Uncle Myles.
Lest we forget!
Many thanks again walksoftly and to you too Moonstonelover!
No, thank you JayHow!
Many thanks miKKo!
Many thanks antiquarius!
Many thanks pwcollector!
Many thanks SEAN68!
Your very welcome KevinG:)
Many thanks MANIKIN!
Many thanks WINDWALKER !!!! !! !!!!
Many thanks DLPETERSEN !!!
Many thanks SUMMERBLUES !!!
Last picture looks almost like my Great Grandfather's Boar War Uniform. Very interesting post Kevin. I've been reading and watching lots of WW1 stories and documentaries about Somme and Vimy Ridge and the Canadian effort there.
Roy
Many thanks ROY !!!! The colonials were well represented in the trenches.
Many thanks YOUGOTTAHAVESTUFF & NEWFLD !.!!.!.!.!!.!