I posted this last year – in fact it was when I first started my blog. It is of course still relevant today, so I’m reposting. As well as my Grandpa, I also want to honour my uncles – Douglas Jewell, Allen Jewell, Les Copping and Sep Moroney and dear friend Hilton Beeton who also served in World War 2.
My Grandpa’s Medals
When I was in my early teens I was a member of the Hornsby RSL Youth Club and on Anzac Day we were encouraged to represent the RSL Youth Club by marching in the local Anzac Day March (I also participated in the march in Sydney in the early seventies). I felt so proud marching on this special day even as a 12 year old. My grandfather Colin Ross Thomson, who served in the Second World War, participated in the local march as well. One of my proudest moments was when we finished the march and we were standing in remembrance around the Cenotaph in Hornsby. It was and always has been a solemn and reflective time. I looked over to see my Grandpa’s head bent in remembrance and it made me feel so proud of this lovely man, who had lost his brother Lachlan in the same war (I didn’t know that as a 12 year old).
I suppose this is why I always feel that Anzac Day is such a special day. I’ve spent many Anzac Days watching the telecast on the ABC, which always brings a tear to my eye. We used to watch with the hope of seeing one of my uncles or parents’ friends on the TV as these very proud men marched by (of course they have all passed away now). Even today just hearing the stirrings of the drums in the pipe bands, the pipes, the Last Post, makes me thoughtful and I reach for the tissues.
My brother’s son Nicholas belongs to his school’s cadets and wears his Great Grandfather’s medals in his school’s Anzac Day March and tomorrow has the honour of playing the Last Post at his school Knox Grammar’s day of remembrance.
If you have an Anzac Day story please let me know.
We will remember them
Lest we forget.
13 Comments on “Lest We Forget”
Thank you for posting again.
We too Honour your ancestors as well as all of those who sacrificed so much for our freedom and this great country. Too many wars and too many lives to ensure we have our easy way of life with an abundance of choice. A few years ago someone said to me “When are we going to forget, when will we move on.” My response was I hope we never forget and we always remember them and what they given us! “Lest we Forget” shouldn’t ever be or become Cliche’
Thanks Nelson, you’ve written your thoughts beautifully and with heart. No, we shall never forget….even as I’m typing this I can hear the last post being played and my eyes are welling up. Thanks again. Love Chris xx
Thank you Chris,
This morning a young bugler played the last post at Forestville RSL and a Mature Piper on the bag pipes. The overwhelming emotion is unavoidable and yes, as I write this and my earlier post I have the all too common knot in my throat and tears welling.
Yesterday, someone asked do we cry or are we like the British. I said I was a real man and I cry because real men Cry!
Love too you, Geoff and those Gorgeous young women of the world! I hope Mitchie is also well.
Darling Christine , yes it is a special day to – day ,very sad for a lot of people who lost loved ones during that time 100 years ago . I was very young when my two brothers were in the army , they both put their ages up to enlist in the second world war , luckily they were not sent overseas , but were sent to Darwin & the Japanese attacked , when my mother heard the news she was so worried about them , but they were okay . Love you Christine , from your ever loving mother xxxx
Thanks darling Mum. You were very young but I still remember your stories of the bunkers you had at school and your little survivor kits. I appreciate you commenting. Love you. Xxxx
I love the way Australians so proudly remember the soldiers who have fought for our freedom and those that continue to do so. Lest we forget.
So do I Sammie. I believe today was more special than most ANZAC days – and I hope the tradition of remembering our former and current military personnel continues to grow. I love watching the pride in the men and women’s faces who have served our countries so well. x Chris
Your grandfather boeing his head in remembrance is such a heartfelt memory that will no doubt stay with you forever. Its so important to pass our family history onto our children to continue to honour the many men and women who fought for the life we have today. Lovely post Chris. Xx
Thanks Shannon – your post was a wonderful tribute to your Great-grand-father. My Grandpa never spoke to us of his time serving in New Guinea, but I feel extremely fortunate to just be a “little part” of his world when I was given the opportunity to march on Anzac Day’s gone past. Love Chris xx
I recall in the 80’s there was concern that Anzac Day ceremony attendance was decreasing – how encouraging to see the numbers of active participants increasing. I think the spirit of Anzac Day taps into a powerful sense of identity for our nation and most importantly unites people from so many nations. To see the many different nationalities included in the Anzac Day marches is heart warming.
You are so right darling. And I’m so fortunate that I didn’t have to say farewell to my husband as he left to serve our country as so many do today. xx
Just Lovely Chris! Liz xx
Thanks Liz. Appreciate you as always. Love Chris xx