ANZAC Service at Claremont
Today we held our school ANZAC Day Service. Mrs Shoebridge or Bu Jill as the students know her, shared some of her stories, from her own experiences and family members who have served in the armed forces. These are the stories Bu Jill told us about this morning.
What does ANZAC Day mean to you?
Anzac Day is a day to remember the service past and present of sailors, soldiers and airmen and women in war and peace. Time does not erode the significance of their sacrifice. Many families were shattered, and many homes have been plunged into mourning including my own.
Can you tell us about some of your family and their service history?
In my family both of my grandfathers, my dad and my husband have all served in the Australian Army during the 1st World War and the 2nd World Wars and more recently, during peacetime.
My paternal grandmother was sad all her life about the loss of her younger brother, Errol, a young Light Horse Cavalry Soldier, who was killed in Romani, Egypt, in 1917.
In 1980, my husband and I went to live in Damascus (Syria) and Israel as Rob (my husband) was posted to the Middle East on a Peacekeeping Mission. We were determined to find Uncle Errol and visit his grave in a Commonwealth War Grave cemetery in the Sinai Desert, as this was something none of the family had ever been able to do. After an adventurous drive from Cairo, across the Suez Canal on a car ferry, and a bit of a rough ride over the desert dunes, we found where he is buried. I quickly posted photographs back to my Grandmother who was thrilled that after all that time a family member could at last visit her brother in his resting place.
Portraits of fallen soldiers were given to families by the government. I have the portrait of Uncle Errol and later, my grandmother left this to Rob and me, as she knew we would look after it.
Do you have other family members who have been involved in the services?
My husband’s grandfather was among the first to land and fight at Gallipoli. He wrote several diaries that we treasure and keep safe in the family, which describe graphically and in minute detail, including maps, as to how events unfolded. He survived injuries and was repatriated to London for medical care. I have one of his diaries here to show the children his beautiful handwriting and attention to detail; it is very precious.
My own Grandfather and his two brothers from the NSW country left Australia on what they thought was a bit of an adventure, to fight in the mud and slush of France, however my Grandfather was the only one of the three to return home. Like many who fought in that, and other wars, he rarely talked of his experiences.
Uncles Errol, Jack and Stan are commemorated at the Wall of Remembrance in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and whenever we visit, we make sure to put a poppy next to their names to show that we remember them, and we quietly thank them for their huge sacrifice.
Both my dad and my husband’s dad were a bit too young to go overseas but they were in the Army and Airforce towards the end of WW2.
Tell us about your husband Rob and the places you have travelled with him.
When my husband, Rob, left school he joined the Australian Army as a cadet at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra. He had always really wanted to serve Australia and that was the way he chose to go. On graduation from Duntroon, he was awarded the Sword of Honour as the Senior Cadet (like school captain!), AND he wants me to stress that this sword has never been used in anger or war! He loved his time in the Army commanding tanks and working on tactics and strategy.
As a family we have moved within Australia and overseas too many times to tell you, but our family has had some amazing adventures and our 3 boys have learned so much about other parts of the world, with us having lived in Syria, Israel, Germany, Malaysia and Singapore.
Our boys had opportunities they definitely would not have had if we stayed in one place, although they did find it tricky changing schools so often! They all developed a love of travel, interest in how other people live and how later, they could play their parts in being world citizens.
What about you Bu Jill, what has the experience been like for you?
For me there are so many experiences to talk about and friendships made both here and overseas and I appreciate all of these. One thing, in all this, which I am grateful for, is the fact that while I was at school at Meriden, I loved learning languages. Would you believe that the three languages I learnt then were French, German and Indonesian? Little did I know that, with Rob, I would later go on postings to an old French colony Syria (Peacekeeping with the United Nations), Germany (on exchange with a British tank regiment) and later Malaysia and Singapore where I could practise my Indonesian skills! It’s almost as if someone had a plan for me!
I know you have a favourite saying that you would like to end with.
Let us give thanks for those who gave us their tomorrows for our today (John Maxwell Edmonds)
Today we also had a Claremont Mum in uniform, Lieutenant Colonel Louise Kirkwood (Olivia, Year 2), who told the children about her uniform and the special significance of having shiny shoes, wearing a hat and wearing her army badge with pride. She also said this was just the same for the Claremont children. She showed the children her own hat, a hat from the Airforce, and a hat from the Navy.
Lieutenant Colonel Kirkwood taught us all how to salute with our right arm, to show respect, with a big right arm up and a short arm down. She also taught us how to be ‘little ANZACS’ by showing kindness, mateship, being brave and courageous and by following instructions.
We sincerely thank Mrs Shoebridge and Lieutenant Colonel Kirkwood for their important and insightful contribution to today’s service.
We also thank our four school leaders for leading our service, our School Choir for singing the New Zealand National Anthem and for leading us in the Australian National Anthem, and Ms Gilbert for her exceptional trumpet playing of The Last Post and The Rouse.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Mrs Alanna James & Mrs Janelle Ford
Senior Leadership Team
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