Читать книгу Boy's Own War - G. S. Willmott - Страница 10

2014

Joshua and Cameron had previously attended the same primary school, Bentleigh West, before becoming Haileybury College students for the remainder of their school days.

Being an all boy’s school, great importance was placed on the cadet program at Haileybury with students in year 11 and 12 all encouraged to enrol. Both boys were enthusiastic cadets; apart from learning etiquette on the parade ground they learnt weaponry, abseiling and many other skills.

Haileybury had a proud tradition for service in the two major wars of the twentieth century. Seventeen former pupils had been awarded the Victoria Cross, three more the George Cross and yet another three the Albert Medal.

740 old boys died in The First World War and another 518 died in The Second World War. The Boer War had killed 55 former students of Haileybury.

As part of the school curriculum all students, not just cadets, must learn about Australia’s role in both the First World War and the Second World War. A study of battles the ANZAC soldiers fought, including battlefield tactics, is an integral component of the learning process.

Each year the Victorian Government conducts a ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ competition, open to all senior schools in the state. Winners, twelve in all, participate in a study tour either to Gallipoli or The Western Front.

Student entries are required to address the following:

The 2015 Anzac Centenary is a time for us to reflect on the Anzac spirit. To what extent do you think it is relevant today? What can it teach us about the Australia we want for the future?

Students are asked to refer to examples of the Anzac spirit from Australia's involvement in wars and conflicts from Gallipoli through to the present day, and relate those experiences to positive values in their community and activities in everyday life.

Entries should be in ONE of the following formats:

 Essay of up to 1000 words

 Poem or short story

 Audio presentation (maximum 10 minutes)

 Video presentation (maximum 10 minutes)

 Digital presentation on CD or DVD

 Musical composition – a song or instrumental

 Web page or PowerPoint on CD or DVD

 Artwork – painting, drawing, photograph or textile

Non-essay entries require a supporting statement of up to 500 words.

Joshua and Cameron decided to enter the competition as both felt the trip to Europe would be the opportunity of a lifetime.

Creating a sketch of a battlefield scene was Joshua’s choice, he decided on The Somme.

The Battle of The Somme by Joshua Bowes

Cameron chose the essay option as writing was his forte.

Spirit of ANZAC

By Cameron Davey

I believe that the ANZAC Spirit is still prevalent in our society today, and everyday. Any deed, big or small, can improve a person’s life, and everyone has the ability to show the ANZAC Spirit. Whether it’s looking after a mate who has it rough, helping others rebuild their lives after disaster, volunteering or even just helping a complete stranger in need.

The media shows many people with the ANZAC Spirit. Yet, I believe the ones who are nameless to the media, are the ones that show the ANZAC Spirit so much more. Large tragedies occur in our world every year, with plenty of media attention.

However we don’t see the deeds that go on behind the scenes in local communities, the everyday heroes. For example, Moira Kelly and her acts of humanitarianism. By developing the Children First Foundation, she has changed many lives, and I see this displaying the ANZAC Spirit.

Black Saturday fires and floods in New South Wales and Queensland, are examples of disasters that have left many people to rebuild their lives. The selfless work that went on behind the scenes, to raise money, and to clean up homes was spectacular.

Queensland’s Emergency Volunteering initiative is an example of the ANZAC Spirit as any Australian, can help out a fellow mate or stranger, by registering their profession, and if an emergency occurs, you can immediately help.

To me, the ANZAC Spirit has no limits. The way in which Australian and New Zealand battalions risked their lives for our country back in 1915, may never compare with many acts displayed in society today. Yet, we all need to thank these ANZACs from Gallipoli, and the ones still serving today, for making our world a safer place.

Living the ANZAC Spirit can teach young Australians so much about the future that we want. We need a country full of people who care for fellow citizens, who would help a fellow mate or stranger, just out of the goodness of their heart.

It is our responsibility, the future ANZACs to display the ANZAC qualities, to make our country a place where everyone belongs, and where we all feel safe. The ANZAC Spirit will live long in the hearts of Australians, and I hope that it will stay evident in society for the rest of Australian history.

*Essay by Jasmine Davis, College Captain - Sacred Heart College Geelong

Both boys were hopeful but not overly confident. They knew there would be very tough competition not just from within Haileybury but the entire Victorian school system.

Cameron was summoned to the Headmaster’s office one Monday morning. He couldn’t think of any thing he’d done of late which would necessitate a visit to Mr. Cornish’s office.

He was asked by the Headmaster’s assistant to take a seat and spent a very nervous twenty-minutes in the waiting room before the Headmaster, resplendent is his black robe, beckoned Cameron inside his office.

‘So Cameron, you’re probably wondering why I summoned you here this morning?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Don’t look so worried boy. You’re not here for punishment but for congratulations.’

‘I am sir?’

‘You have won the ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ competition with your excellent essay.’

‘Wow I can’t believe it. That’s awesome.’

‘It certainly is awesome, as you say.’

‘Did any other boys from the school win sir?

‘No, I’m afraid not, I would have liked to see more win.’

‘Will I get a letter about it all sir?’

‘Yes, I expect you will. I’ll make the announcement at assembly tomorrow morning.’

Cameron left the Headmaster’s office and returned to the classroom. He had difficulty concentrating in English class his mind was half a world away on The Western Front.

At lunchtime he was approached by Joshua.

‘What was that all about? Are you in trouble?’

‘Nope.’

Cameron recounted his visit to the Headmaster and the competition news.

‘That’s fantastic mate, congratulations. I guess that means I missed out. Never mind I gave it my best shot.’

‘You sure did. I thought your sketch was fantastic.’

‘Yeah, thanks mate.’

‘There’s the bell. Suppose we better get to bloody Maths.’

April couldn’t come fast enough for Cameron. He was to depart for France on the 11^th and start the Western Front battlefield tour on the 15^th, the tour concluding on April 26^th, the day after the ANZAC Day ceremony.

April 11^th 2015

Twelve excited students gathered at Melbourne airport, having met once before when they attended a trip briefing, their chaperones were Ian Jones, Deputy President of the Victorian RSL, and Patricia Jennings, Head Mistress of Brighton High School.

Once on board the plane, everyone settled into their economy class seats eager for the experiences ahead of them.

After what seemed like a lifetime they arrived in Paris via Dubai, where they’d stopped for two hours. The next two days in Paris were for the students to discover the art galleries, museums and of course monuments such as the Eiffel Tower.

The unanimous opinion: Paris was magnificent.

April 16^th 2015

The school group caught a Metro train to Gare du Nord where a fast train would take them to Lille and the battlefield tour would begin.

They were accompanied by Gordon Wilson, a senior guide from Boronia Battlefield Tours.

Battlefield Tour Map

Cameron and all the students found the tour both informative and heartbreaking.

Gordon spoke of the thousands of boys, aged fourteen to seventeen years, who had lied about their age and enlisted to fight in World War 1. Many died, including some who were executed by firing squad for desertion and cowardice. This particularly moved the male students of the same age. It could have been them.

Their final stop was Villers-Bretonneux for the ANZAC Dawn Service. The night before the ceremony a copy of the proceedings was distributed among the students.

Official Anzac Day Commemorations 2015

ANZAC Dawn Service

Wednesday, April 25^th 2015

Site Opens 3 a.m.

Ceremony Commences 5.30 a.m.

Venue: The Australian National Memorial

Villers-Bretonneux

Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery

Standing in the cold darkness, facing memorial, they contemplated what had taken place a century ago. Not only in Villers-Bretonneux but across the entire Western Front, Gallipoli and the Middle East. Soldiers who had left their homes on their great adventure, only to be confronted with horrible conditions with far too many lives lost through ill conceived and badly executed battle plans. Despite the breadth of the First World War Allied soldiers including the Australian diggers had overcome extraordinary odds and achieved peace.

At dinner, the students and chaperones had discussed how long peace had lasted until another generation was sent away to the Second World War, and then Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In total more than 100,000 Australian diggers have died, all in their prime of their lives. In wars occurring since 1860 with the American Civil War, the number of people killed totals more than 175 million, a number increasing all the time.

The sound of drums cut through the darkness and the students’ thoughts. The catafalque party slowly approached the cenotaph. The catafalque party consisted of four members of the Australian armed guard who stood, their heads bowed and their weapons reversed, facing outward approximately one metre from the catafalque (cenotaph) as a symbolic form of respect for those who have fallen.

Cameron felt quite special amongst the group, as he was the only one wearing khaki, dressed in his cadet uniform. The ceremony proceeded with the singing of hymns and an address given by the Australian Minister of Veteran Affairs. Wreaths were laid as a lone bugler played the Last Post followed by a minute’s silence, later agreed by the students as an incredibly moving part of the service. Reveille was played and the national anthems of Australia, New Zealand, and France. Each student then placed a poppy at the base of the cenotaph.

After the formalities the students and their chaperones made their way to the gunfire breakfast hosted by the people of Villers-Bretonneux. Each year the villagers prepare a traditional ANZAC day breakfast of eggs and bacon with coffee and rum. Mr. Jones and Mrs. Jennings allowed the students a nip of rum in their coffee; after all it was ANZAC Day.

Diggers Gunfire Breakfast

The school group began their return journey with the train to Paris and several hours later boarded the plane to Melbourne.

Opinion was again unanimous; the trip had lived up to all expectations. Their belief in the ANZAC spirit had been strengthened for all time.

Reality soon hit them; ahead was Year 12, their final and most important school year.