Creswick Dawn Services - 2016 to 2020
2016
The first Dawn Service with the newly completed Field of Crosses Memorial Gardens
MC - Rick Palm Acting President Creswick-Smeaton RSL
INTRODUCTION
The Hon. Catherine King, Federal Member for Ballarat.
Cr Mr Don Henderson and Cr Mr Greg May of the Hepburn Shire
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Good morning.
On behalf of all the Creswick-Smeaton RSL members I welcome you to the Dawn Service on this the 101st anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli and thus the anniversary of the formation of the ANZAC legend.
MOUNT THE CATAFALQUE PARTY
The Hon. Catherine King, Federal Member for Ballarat.
Cr Mr Don Henderson and Cr Mr Greg May of the Hepburn Shire
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Good morning.
On behalf of all the Creswick-Smeaton RSL members I welcome you to the Dawn Service on this the 101st anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli and thus the anniversary of the formation of the ANZAC legend.
MOUNT THE CATAFALQUE PARTY
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The Dawn Service has its origins in an operational routine which is still observed by the Australian Army today. The half-light of dawn plays tricks with soldiers eyes and from earliest times the half hour or so before dawn, with all its misty shadows, became one of the most favoured times for an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were therefore woken up in the dark, before dawn, so that by the time the first dull grey light crept across the battlefield, they were awake, alert and manning their weapons. This practice was, and still is, known as “Stand To”.
TRIBUTE
I would now like to pay tribute to two Creswick men who appear on the Cenotaph. The first of these is:
Robert Anderson
Born in Creswick in August 1890.
He enlisted in Daylesford on the 21 August 1914 in the 7th Battalion AIF, 1st Australian Division, as a Private with Enlistment No. 738. He was 24 years and 1 month old. On enlistment, his records showed that his previous service was with the 9th Light horse for three years.
Robert embarked from Melbourne on the 19 October 1914 on HMAT A20 "Hororata"
He landed at ANZAC Cove, one hundred and one years ago today and was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula. His date of death is recorded as between 25 April 1915 to 2 May 1915 when his body was eventually found.
The second man I will pay tribute to is -
Raymond William Beckerleg (known as Robert)
Born in Creswick in April 1888
Enlisted on the 4 December 1914 at the age of 26 years and 8 months in Traralgon, Enlistment No. 1517. He was part of the 3rd Reinforcements, 5th Battalion AIF as a Private.
Robert embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A54 Runic on 19 February 1915 and on the 5th May 1915 fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula where he was also wounded. He then re-joined his unit on the 9th of May.
On the 4th December was transported to the Overseas Base at Giza, Egypt.
On the 10th January 1916 embarked on the HT Auronia from Alexandria, Egypt for the Overseas Base at Ghezireh Egypt and on the 9th May 1916 he embarked again from Alexandria on O.C. TPA. "Caledonia" and arrived in Marseilles France on 17 June. Robert re-joined his battalion on the 4 August.
By then Robert held the rank of Lieutenant Corporal. He was killed in action at Pozieres France on the 18 August 1916 and has no known grave but is remembered on the walls at the Villiers-Bretonneau Memorial in France.
TRIBUTE
I would now like to pay tribute to two Creswick men who appear on the Cenotaph. The first of these is:
Robert Anderson
Born in Creswick in August 1890.
He enlisted in Daylesford on the 21 August 1914 in the 7th Battalion AIF, 1st Australian Division, as a Private with Enlistment No. 738. He was 24 years and 1 month old. On enlistment, his records showed that his previous service was with the 9th Light horse for three years.
Robert embarked from Melbourne on the 19 October 1914 on HMAT A20 "Hororata"
He landed at ANZAC Cove, one hundred and one years ago today and was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula. His date of death is recorded as between 25 April 1915 to 2 May 1915 when his body was eventually found.
The second man I will pay tribute to is -
Raymond William Beckerleg (known as Robert)
Born in Creswick in April 1888
Enlisted on the 4 December 1914 at the age of 26 years and 8 months in Traralgon, Enlistment No. 1517. He was part of the 3rd Reinforcements, 5th Battalion AIF as a Private.
Robert embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A54 Runic on 19 February 1915 and on the 5th May 1915 fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula where he was also wounded. He then re-joined his unit on the 9th of May.
On the 4th December was transported to the Overseas Base at Giza, Egypt.
On the 10th January 1916 embarked on the HT Auronia from Alexandria, Egypt for the Overseas Base at Ghezireh Egypt and on the 9th May 1916 he embarked again from Alexandria on O.C. TPA. "Caledonia" and arrived in Marseilles France on 17 June. Robert re-joined his battalion on the 4 August.
By then Robert held the rank of Lieutenant Corporal. He was killed in action at Pozieres France on the 18 August 1916 and has no known grave but is remembered on the walls at the Villiers-Bretonneau Memorial in France.
POEM
I will now read a poem called ANZAC Day, written by an unknown author. This poem like others, give us a message about the meaning of ANZAC Day.
I will now read a poem called ANZAC Day, written by an unknown author. This poem like others, give us a message about the meaning of ANZAC Day.
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I saw a kid marching with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside the diggers marching six abreast. He knew it was ANZAC Day – and he walked along with pride. He did his best to keep in step with the diggers by his side. And when the march was over, the kid was rather tired A digger said “whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied: “They belong to my daddy, but he did not come back He died in somewhere in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track, The kid looked rather sad then a tear come to his eye. The digger said “Don’t cry my boy and I will tell you why. Your daddy marched with us today – all the blooming way. We diggers know that he was here – it’s like that on ANZAC Day” The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand. But the digger went on talking and started to wave his hand. |
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay.
And for this thing called freedom, the diggers had to pay. For we love fun and merriment in the country where we live, The price was that some soldiers his precious life must give. For you to go to school, my lad, and worship God at will Someone had to pay the price so the diggers paid the bill. Your daddy died for us my son – for all things good and true. I wonder if you can understand the things I’ve said to you” The kid looked up at the digger – just for a little while. And with a changed expression, said with a lovely smile: I know my daddy marched here today – this, our ANZAC Day, I know he did – I know he did – all the blooming way” |
LAYING OF THE WREATH
I will now invite the Hon Catherine King to lay a wreath on behalf of the Federal Government.
SILENT TRIBUTE
For those of who are able, please stand for the silent tribute and ode
- Last Post - Suzi Koene
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
REVEILLE - Suzi Koene
For those of who are able, please stand for the silent tribute and ode
- Last Post - Suzi Koene
- - Silence (1 minute)
- - The Ode
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
REVEILLE - Suzi Koene
STAND DOWN THE CATAFALQUE PARTY
END OF SERVICE
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls that concludes this morning’s dawn ceremony.
I wish to acknowledge and thank:
Members of the guard – LCPL Graeme Paizis
PTE George Brown
PTE Alexander Grice
PTE Maddy McMaster
END OF SERVICE
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls that concludes this morning’s dawn ceremony.
I wish to acknowledge and thank:
- Our Bugler - Suzi Koene from the Creswick Light Horse Regiment.
- The Members of the Catafalque Party from the 8 / 7th Royal Victorian Regiment.
Members of the guard – LCPL Graeme Paizis
PTE George Brown
PTE Alexander Grice
PTE Maddy McMaster
- For those wishing to march this morning, please assemble near the old bowling club by 10.15am.
- The march will step off at 10.30 followed by the commemorative service at 10.45.
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I would also like to invite everyone to the Town Hall for Gunfire Breakfast.On behalf of the Creswick Smeaton RSL Sub- Branch, I thank you for your attendance this morning and hope to see you at the March and main service starting at 10.30am.
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Above photos courtesy Terry Hope Productions
2017
Mounting of Catafalque Party
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As the sound of gunfire is heard around the cenotaph,
MC Paul McGuinness read from the Diary of Pte Turnbull 14 Pl D Coy 8 Bn AIF
‘Reveille at 4 am. Most of us spent a restless night. Breakfast was at 4:30 am and warships opened up a bombardment and Turks replying from batteries ashore. We can see shrapnel shell bursting high in air over our ships.’
‘…Then a destroyer came alongside us after landing the 3rd Bde. We boarded her and she steamed for shore. We could see the broken, scrub covered hills in front of us. Shrapnel overhead accounted for a few of us. The destroyer stopped and we transshipped into boats manned by blue jackets in charge of boys…Steam pinnaces towed half a dozen boats to the shore…’
‘…The water all round our boats was whipped up by shrapnel fire. Some boats were half full of wounded. Our boat grounded some distance from the beach. We waited a few seconds until our boat was hit by shrapnel then Col Gartside told us to hop out. We needed no second order. I was in the storm. I hopped over the side into 4 ft of water and made for the beach. We crossed a narrow strip of sand to the prickly holly covered hills in front of us and began our climb. You could hear the commands D Coy here, 14 Pl here or 1 sect 14 Pl here and so on. By the time the Coy was on top of the first ridge we were in our places. That ridge was swept with shellfire and in a few minutes dead and dying were all around us. We scrambled down the other side of the ridge into a gully also swept by shellfire. We stormed up and over another ridge passing dead and wounded until we came under machine gun fire.’
‘…I was lying behind a bush when a machine gun got busy and was cutting the twigs over my head and next I got a graze through the right arm. Another bullet smashed into the woodwork of my rifle. We could not see anything to aim at. We then made another rush and saw a Turkish trench and machine gun a few yards from us. We charged into and over the trench. The Turks did not wait but we shot them down getting away. We dropped into the trench and used their Maxim gun. I had a go at my water bottle and found it a bit light and found a hole shot through it…’
‘…There were several wounded men in the vicinity. We got as many as we could into the shelter of the trench. They were crying out for water and we had very little. We crawled out of the trench again and got the bottles from the Turks. We were in an advanced position and could see men on either flank falling back. We could see men falling back wounded and could see them drop again wounded once more. We hung onto our trench until late in the afternoon when some New Zealanders reached us…’
MC Paul McGuinness read from the Diary of Pte Turnbull 14 Pl D Coy 8 Bn AIF
‘Reveille at 4 am. Most of us spent a restless night. Breakfast was at 4:30 am and warships opened up a bombardment and Turks replying from batteries ashore. We can see shrapnel shell bursting high in air over our ships.’
‘…Then a destroyer came alongside us after landing the 3rd Bde. We boarded her and she steamed for shore. We could see the broken, scrub covered hills in front of us. Shrapnel overhead accounted for a few of us. The destroyer stopped and we transshipped into boats manned by blue jackets in charge of boys…Steam pinnaces towed half a dozen boats to the shore…’
‘…The water all round our boats was whipped up by shrapnel fire. Some boats were half full of wounded. Our boat grounded some distance from the beach. We waited a few seconds until our boat was hit by shrapnel then Col Gartside told us to hop out. We needed no second order. I was in the storm. I hopped over the side into 4 ft of water and made for the beach. We crossed a narrow strip of sand to the prickly holly covered hills in front of us and began our climb. You could hear the commands D Coy here, 14 Pl here or 1 sect 14 Pl here and so on. By the time the Coy was on top of the first ridge we were in our places. That ridge was swept with shellfire and in a few minutes dead and dying were all around us. We scrambled down the other side of the ridge into a gully also swept by shellfire. We stormed up and over another ridge passing dead and wounded until we came under machine gun fire.’
‘…I was lying behind a bush when a machine gun got busy and was cutting the twigs over my head and next I got a graze through the right arm. Another bullet smashed into the woodwork of my rifle. We could not see anything to aim at. We then made another rush and saw a Turkish trench and machine gun a few yards from us. We charged into and over the trench. The Turks did not wait but we shot them down getting away. We dropped into the trench and used their Maxim gun. I had a go at my water bottle and found it a bit light and found a hole shot through it…’
‘…There were several wounded men in the vicinity. We got as many as we could into the shelter of the trench. They were crying out for water and we had very little. We crawled out of the trench again and got the bottles from the Turks. We were in an advanced position and could see men on either flank falling back. We could see men falling back wounded and could see them drop again wounded once more. We hung onto our trench until late in the afternoon when some New Zealanders reached us…’
ANZAC Cove
There’s a lonely stretch of hillocks:
There’s a beach asleep and drear:
There’s a battered broken fort beside the sea.
There are sunken trampled graves:
And a little rotting pier:
And winding paths that wind unceasingly.
There’s a torn and silent valley:
There’s a tiny rivulet
With some blood upon the stones beside its mouth.
There are lines of buried bones:
There’s an unpaid waiting debt:
There’s a sound of gentle sobbing in the South.
Leon Gellert 10th Bn AIF
WELCOMING ADDRESS
Good morning everyone. It is heartening to see the increasing numbers of people, especially our younger generations, gathered this morning. I know that the ever-declining ranks of our veterans value your attendance. To paraphrase Gen Sir Peter Cosgrove: "Anzac is now not the sole possession of the veterans, probably never has been. It's not the possession of the armed forces or the RSL, although they are, to some degree, custodians of Anzac Day. It is where it ought to be and probably has been spiritually for generations, the possession of the peoples of Australia and New Zealand."
As such we are met here, in this place, at this hour, on this day every year, not to glorify war or praise victors, but to commemorate those who have served our nation in times of conflict and crisis; to reflect upon their sacrifice, and to remember those who suffered and are still suffering in body, mind and spirit.
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
On the morning of 25th April, 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed under fire at Gallipoli, and it was then and in the violent campaign which followed, that the ANZAC tradition was forged. The elements of that tradition have inspired and offered an enduring example to later generations of Australians.
On this day, above all days, we remember all those, whether service personnel or civilians, of every nation, who have suffered or continue to suffer because of war. In particular, we remember those who served in the Australian Defence Forces on land, sea and in the air, from the Boer War through two World Wars, Korea,Vietnam,Rwanda,East Timor,Iraq & Afganistan.
So we pay homage not only to those original Anzac’s, but to all who died or were disabled in their service to their country. They enrich our nation’s history. Their hope was for the freedom of mankind and we remember with pride their courage, their compassion and their comradeship.
May we and our successors be worthy of their sacrifice.
Wreath Laying
I now invite the Honourable Catherine King MP to lay a wreath.
The Ode:
They shall grow not old as we who 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
Parade Attention. (Catafalque party to attention)
Parade Present Arms.
Last Post
Parade Attention
Reveille
Parade Present Arms.
National Anthem
Catafalque Party Dismount
Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our Dawn Service for this morning. There will be a gunfire breakfast at the Town Hall should you wish to attend. Cost of entry is gold coin donation.
To my left is the Field of Poppies commemorating those of the area who had at some time served and died locally. Those who died since ANZAC Day last year are at the top of the field. There are poppies available should you wish to locate someone within this field.
There will be a service this morning at 1045am following the march. I would encourage you to attend.
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Gunfire Breakfast
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Above photos courtesy Terry Hope Productions
The Great War honour board on display since its restoration finished on the 24th April 2017. Photo courtesy Jude Schahinger
2018
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Gunfire Breakfast
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2019
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Gunfire Breakfast
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2020
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, and social distancing regulations, all RSL activities for ANZAC Day have been cancelled.
This included The Dawn Service and the Gunfire Breakfast.
A short service was held by the RSL and was streamed live on Creswick Online Notice Board by some
Following the reading of the Ode, The Last Post, minute silence and Reveille were played, followed by the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems.
The playing of the bugle on a queit morning and empty street echoed throughout the town and could be heard by those who stood in their driveways conducting their own services or listening to the service from the Shrine of Remembrance.
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, and social distancing regulations, all RSL activities for ANZAC Day have been cancelled.
This included The Dawn Service and the Gunfire Breakfast.
A short service was held by the RSL and was streamed live on Creswick Online Notice Board by some
Following the reading of the Ode, The Last Post, minute silence and Reveille were played, followed by the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems.
The playing of the bugle on a queit morning and empty street echoed throughout the town and could be heard by those who stood in their driveways conducting their own services or listening to the service from the Shrine of Remembrance.
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