Creswick Remembrance Day Service 2019
Master of Ceremonies - Alan Morris President Creswick-Smeaton RSL
Good morning Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls.
We would like to acknowledge we are meeting on Jaara people country, of which members and elders of the Dja Dja Wurrung community and their forebears have been custodians for many centuries.
On this land, the Jaara people have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal.
We acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the life of this region.
There have been many conflicts since the two major world wars. The Korean War was fought over a period of 3 years (1950 – 1953). There were 340 Australians killed and 1216 wounded; 33 New Zealanders killed and 79 wounded. Let us not forget these sacrifices that were made by our ANZACS for a war that has not resulted in a lasting formal peace between the two Koreas still today.
The Korean War was among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, with approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II or the Vietnam War. It incurred the destruction of virtually all of Korea's major cities and North Korea became among the most heavily-bombed countries in history.
For Australia the Vietnam War started in 1962 and lasted until 1972. This war resulted in 500 Australian killed and 3129 wounded. This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the battle of Long Tan. This battle was held on 18 August 1966 and saw the action of 108 ANZACS against a Viet Cong (North Vietnamese) force estimated between 1,500 and 2,500. The Battle was one of the heaviest conflicts of the Vietnam War as well as one the few battles in the recorded history of the world to be won against such odds.
18 Australians were killed and 21 wounded in this battle.
Let us not forget the many brave ANZACS who took part in this war.
Good morning Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls.
We would like to acknowledge we are meeting on Jaara people country, of which members and elders of the Dja Dja Wurrung community and their forebears have been custodians for many centuries.
On this land, the Jaara people have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal.
We acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the life of this region.
There have been many conflicts since the two major world wars. The Korean War was fought over a period of 3 years (1950 – 1953). There were 340 Australians killed and 1216 wounded; 33 New Zealanders killed and 79 wounded. Let us not forget these sacrifices that were made by our ANZACS for a war that has not resulted in a lasting formal peace between the two Koreas still today.
The Korean War was among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, with approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II or the Vietnam War. It incurred the destruction of virtually all of Korea's major cities and North Korea became among the most heavily-bombed countries in history.
For Australia the Vietnam War started in 1962 and lasted until 1972. This war resulted in 500 Australian killed and 3129 wounded. This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the battle of Long Tan. This battle was held on 18 August 1966 and saw the action of 108 ANZACS against a Viet Cong (North Vietnamese) force estimated between 1,500 and 2,500. The Battle was one of the heaviest conflicts of the Vietnam War as well as one the few battles in the recorded history of the world to be won against such odds.
18 Australians were killed and 21 wounded in this battle.
Let us not forget the many brave ANZACS who took part in this war.
Today we remember another Creswick local, Gilbert Stanley Douglas who was also known as George Douglas. He was aged 31 years and five months when he enlisted at Warwick Farm (N.S.W.) on 8 August 1915 in 15th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion.
He sailed from Sydney on HMAT Wiltshire on 22nd August 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth on 13th October. He then sailed from Folkestone on board S.S.Arundal for France on 13th December. He joined his unit on 17th December and then transferred to 3rd Battalion from reinforcements on 19th December.
He fell ill with pyrexia on 22nd January and was admitted to hospital and then to 36th Casualty clearing station where he died of Broncho-pneumonia on 30th January 1917.
George is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, north east of Corbie, France.
The army investigated George in 1921 because his personal details were not accurate as he stated on enlistment that he was not married yet a marriage certificate was produced. Nazareth House in Ballarat confirmed that his wife was deceased and that his daughter was in the care of Nuns. A pension was granted to his daughter..
His daughter also received a memorial scroll & plaque plus her father’s 2 medals
He sailed from Sydney on HMAT Wiltshire on 22nd August 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth on 13th October. He then sailed from Folkestone on board S.S.Arundal for France on 13th December. He joined his unit on 17th December and then transferred to 3rd Battalion from reinforcements on 19th December.
He fell ill with pyrexia on 22nd January and was admitted to hospital and then to 36th Casualty clearing station where he died of Broncho-pneumonia on 30th January 1917.
George is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, north east of Corbie, France.
The army investigated George in 1921 because his personal details were not accurate as he stated on enlistment that he was not married yet a marriage certificate was produced. Nazareth House in Ballarat confirmed that his wife was deceased and that his daughter was in the care of Nuns. A pension was granted to his daughter..
His daughter also received a memorial scroll & plaque plus her father’s 2 medals
Primay School readings
We have some of our local schoolchildren who will now read a selection of poems. These poems were written by soldiers whilst serving during WW1, and the Korean War (The forgotten War)
Creswick Primary School – My Native leaf ( Private James Bryant, 3rd Brigade, 1915. WW1)
Private James Bryant was wounded at Gallipoli, shortly after the debacle of the landing, and was shipped back to an Egyptian hospital. It was at his time Jim wrote some of his best and most moving poetry.
A couple of months later after recovering from his wounds and writing these poems he was back on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and was killed a few days later during the battle of Lone Pine in August 1915.
We are fortunate that he posted these works back to his mother in Australia, where they became a treasured part of the family collection.
Creswick North Primary School -- Ella Jo Stuart and Reed Ellams
So Long Digger (Private P.J.Paterson, 1 RAR, Korea. 1953, nickname “Banjo” wrote this poem while serving in Korea during the Korean War. He was killed shortly after returning home from Korea in a motorbike accident. (He was also related to the famous Banjo Paterson)
Creswick Primary School – My Native leaf ( Private James Bryant, 3rd Brigade, 1915. WW1)
Private James Bryant was wounded at Gallipoli, shortly after the debacle of the landing, and was shipped back to an Egyptian hospital. It was at his time Jim wrote some of his best and most moving poetry.
A couple of months later after recovering from his wounds and writing these poems he was back on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and was killed a few days later during the battle of Lone Pine in August 1915.
We are fortunate that he posted these works back to his mother in Australia, where they became a treasured part of the family collection.
Creswick North Primary School -- Ella Jo Stuart and Reed Ellams
So Long Digger (Private P.J.Paterson, 1 RAR, Korea. 1953, nickname “Banjo” wrote this poem while serving in Korea during the Korean War. He was killed shortly after returning home from Korea in a motorbike accident. (He was also related to the famous Banjo Paterson)
My Native Leaf
The Irish love their native leaf That in their island grows; The Scottish and the English love The thistle and the rose; But greater than these flowers, And dearer far to me, The emblem I love best of all Is the native blue gum tree. I sheltered me when I was young, Beneath its boughs I played, The house where I was born was built Beneath a gum trees shade. And often in the days gone by – The days when we were boys – That old gum shared my childish thoughts, My sorrows and my joys. And if perchance that I should fall Beneath a foreign sky, I hope some passing wind will blow A gum leaf where I lie: A gum leaf fresh and fragrant, Blown from a wild gum tree That grows in far Australia, The island of the free. |
So Long Digger
To the boys we leave behind us. We're off to Aussie, Fella, And we hate to leave you here, We didn't think it would end like this When we started out last year. Remember the march through Sydney, We were really proud that day, We were going to Korea, And it had to end this way. And the days we spent on the "Devonshire", Our first long voyage by ship, We laughed and joked not dreaming. That this was your one way trip. It's still hard to believe that it's happened, That you'll march with us no more. That you've "Grounded Arms" forever, And have fought your last cruel war. Yes, we're going back to Aussie, Mate. And we're going to march again, And we're going to make it a better place, So you won't have died in vain. And while the band is playing, Our marches old and new, We'll swing along there proudly, Knowing you are marching too. Yes, you'll always march beside us, And when our time is through, We'll muster on that "Last Parade", To march again with you. |
Wreath Laying
Creswick-Smeaton RSL - Ken McMillan
Hepburn Shire - Cr Don Henderson
Catherine King - Carmel Roads
Louise Staley - Michael Clark
Australian Red Cross - Norah Stubbs
Legacy Club Creswick-.
Creswick Senior Citizens
Creswick Lions club
Creswick IGA - Steve Sellars
Creswick Fire Brigade
Creswick Garden club
Creswick Primary School
North Creswick Primary School
Friends of Smeaton
Hepburn Shire - Cr Don Henderson
Catherine King - Carmel Roads
Louise Staley - Michael Clark
Australian Red Cross - Norah Stubbs
Legacy Club Creswick-.
Creswick Senior Citizens
Creswick Lions club
Creswick IGA - Steve Sellars
Creswick Fire Brigade
Creswick Garden club
Creswick Primary School
North Creswick Primary School
Friends of Smeaton
If you are able could you please be upstanding
The Ode
Last Post
Silence
Rouse
Advance Australia Fair
Australians let us all rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in natures gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let is all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fair.
Thanks to you all for attending our ceremony
The Shire gardeners for poppies and preparing Cenotaph & RSL Gardens
Railway workshop for chairs
The ladies who made the wreaths
The Laurels and members for collecting the leaves for the wreaths
Volunteers helping to set up for ceremony
The Citizens of Creswick and surrounding areas for donations and support for the RSL Poppy Appeal.
The Creswick IGA for support with the Poppy Appeal
The Creswick Bakery for preparation of food.
The Ode
Last Post
Silence
Rouse
Advance Australia Fair
Australians let us all rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in natures gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let is all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fair.
Thanks to you all for attending our ceremony
The Shire gardeners for poppies and preparing Cenotaph & RSL Gardens
Railway workshop for chairs
The ladies who made the wreaths
The Laurels and members for collecting the leaves for the wreaths
Volunteers helping to set up for ceremony
The Citizens of Creswick and surrounding areas for donations and support for the RSL Poppy Appeal.
The Creswick IGA for support with the Poppy Appeal
The Creswick Bakery for preparation of food.