artwork, essays & videos by students from years 7, 8, 9 &10

115 Pages·2015·27.2 MB·English

ARTWORK, ESSAYS & VIDEOS BY STUDENTS FROM YEARS 7, 8, 9 &10
Commemorate
the Centenary
of Anzac Day
NewsLocal invited students from years 7- 10 to research the
tumultuous impact of World War I on young Australians
100 years ago and tell the story of the life and experiences
of a soldier, sailor, nurse, medic or animal that served in the
Australian armed forces in the Great War of 1914-1918.
Entries could be about a real subject or
re-imagined based on research and portrayed
in essays, artworks and videos
Kathy Lipari, Editor in Chief of NewsLocal:
“We were overwhelmed with the creativity, talent and
imagination that shone through the hundreds of entries we
received and are very proud to have been associated with
this competition run through schools in New South Wales
with the support of the Minister for Veterans Affairs.”
The Great War and Me competition is brought to you by NewsLocal with support of the Minister for Veterans’
Affairs, Assistant Minister for Education and Minister for Citizenship and Communities. Enquiries 9288 3299.
YEAR 7
WINNERS
Claire Stephens - Article
HIGHLY
WINNER
Holly Faulds - Artwork COMMENDED
Kyran King - Video
~ ESSAY ENTRIES ~ Jimmy O’Connor Christian Hiliounakis
Sophie Ozkan Eden Ingles
Connor Adams Prashanti Prabaharan Oliver Kearney
Jana Arts Matthew Pross Aysha Nadeen
Isabella Baker Sebastien Richardson Maddie O’Connell
Tynesha Baker Page Ronzini Rebecca Pierce
Jade Cameron Anna Saunders Maria Ramos
Emma Cherry Laura Smith Jacob Turley
Zoe Cochrane Josiah Southwell
Ethan Don Claire Stephens ~ VIDEO ENTRIES ~
Bodhi Ewings Amber Takacs
Brooke Fietkau Shannen Tan Anela Aguial teacher -
Lilyarna Genford Amelia Vesperman Felicity & Simran
Emily Grimes Elizabeth Wade Ariel Eisner
JaneMarie Henry Tullia Williams Josiah Jacobs
Joshua Johansson Sarah Grace Wilson Kyran King
Kannitha Kershaw Azel Yilmaz Carollane O’brien
Rachel Kinsey
Jeremy Kwok ~ ART ENTRIES ~
Ella Malligan
Maria Mangoulias Brooke Archer
Benjamin McLennan Jacqueline Berthold
Rebeka Morrison Jack Bishop
Nicholas Moujalli Emma Duffy
Aysha Nadeem Holly Faulds
Reshmi Niriella Kirsten Gearin
PAINTING ABOVE BY EMMA DUFFY; PAINTING OPPOSITE EDEN INGLES
The Great War and Me stop... some of the horses had been killed on the road. I rode my In November 1915, Driver was smuggled and hidden into the
horse back to the teams and dismounted to talk to the men. One pocket of his owner, Fred Roberts, when he went on the ship that
shell came whooshing past my shoulder and burst on the road, would bring him to Egypt. Now you might be thinking “Why
killing the mules in the second team, and wounding a man on the does Fred have to hide his dog in a pocket?” Well there is a good
CONNOR ADAMS
cart. A man standing very near to me was killed. It seems I was reason for this: Fred was worried that Driver wouldn’t be allowed
saved by a poor horse standing between me and the bomb blast, to join him. So Fred didn’t want to take any risks. But like Fred,
Introduction
although I did get my fair share of the shell in my shoulder. a lot of other soldiers had brought their beloved pets along with
This is an adaptation of a letter from my Great, Great, Great
As soon as the burst was over I mounted up and went back along them. There were several cats, a kangaroo, a couple of wallabies,
Uncle, Sergeant Harry C. Reid (MM) 18736, 3rd Divisional
the column dismounting my men. The ammunition was a mess some possums and another Terrier called Snappy, joining the
Ammunitions Column (pictured below).
as it was all torn up from the shelling. We salvaged what we troops.
I have based this letter on one that he sent to his family after
could, pulled some of the mules up onto the carts and headed the No one is quite sure what had happened to all these animals.
being wounded in Belgium.
two miles back to Ypres. But what is very certain is that Driver became one of the 7th
Harry had been sent to war from Sydney Wharf on Thursday
I reported immediately to the dressing station, where my arm was Mascots for field engineers. He travelled with them to France,
May 11th 1916 on board the HMAT A8 “Argyllshire”.
bandaged. They then sent me by ambulance to Popperinge. All where he would suffer from the cold and scary nights just like
After the incident described in the letter, Harry was awarded
that I had with me was my steel helmet, gas mask and revolver. the soldiers did. When Fred became very sick and had to leave,
the “Military Medal” for “coolness and initiative in delivering
I stayed one night at Popperinge, and was then sent to the 11th Driver got a new owner. Her name was Leslie Ross.
ammunition to forward positions although subjected to heavy
Stationary Hospital at Rouen, near Paris. From there it was on to One of Driver’s favourite spots to sleep at night was curled
shell fire which disorganised the columns during the advance in
Baulorne and the Canadian Hospital, then across the Channel to up under his new owner’s feet. But it wasn’t safe. One night an
August near Bray & Proyart”
Dover, and by train to Torquay, where I am writing to you. unexpected bomb dropped close to Leslie and a lot of people
(Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 57 – dated 17 June 1919)
I must say, it is so nice to have a good old spell away from Fritz. I were killed. After that fatal incident, Driver had learnt to listen
have been in France for 10 months now and with the exception for bombs. Whenever he heard a scary sound, he would bark and
Monday 2nd October 1917
of a fortnights rest in Merck-St Lievm last month I have been all run underneath the nearest shelter and would wait until it was
that time on the line. safe again.
Dear Mother,
I’ll bring this to a close now. Hoping to receive a letter from you But life wasn’t only dangerous for Driver. There were some
No doubt you are anxiously waiting to hear from me, as I suppose
soon. great days, too. Driver was playing during the peaceful moments
you already know what has happened. I’m much better now,
From your loving Son and Brother, with Leslie, laid in the sun for a snooze and even became a father!
although the nurses still won’t let me move from my bed.
Harry The mother was Snappy – the other Terrier that was with him on
It seemed so far away from home, being on the Menin Road. We
the troop ship. When it was finally time to sail back home, Leslie
were fighting close to the Hooge. Close to where the Huns first
decided to go on a trip to England and took Driver with her.
used poison gas on the poor Canadians a couple of years ago.
Unfortunately Snappy had to stay in France. Leslie never found
On Monday the 24th of September I was in charge of 12 teams Driver
out what had become of her.
loaded with ammunition. I had to get it to the infantry dump at
When they were boarding the ship on their return voyage to
any cost. What is an offensive without ammunition? The Animal Hero
Australia, animals weren’t allowed. The people feared that they
There was a very thick fog, it was all so confusing, and made the
would carry dangerous diseases. Everyone told Leslie that Driver
sound of shells bursting seem much further away than they really
JANA ARTS needed to be killed. Leslie looked into Driver’s eyes and said
were. We’d gone through Ypres, turned onto Menin Road, and
“Who ever tries to kill you will repay for this”. So she smuggled
were approaching a lovely place called Hell-Fire Corner when
When you think of war, you probably think of death, soldiers Driver successfully into Australia the same way he was smuggled
the shells starting bursting just 100 yards ahead of use. Fearing
fighting in a hail of bullets, destroyed towns and endless pain. You out before – in a pocket!
that the Hun would switch aim on us I made up my mind to keep
wouldn’t think of a cute little puppy going to war, would you? Driver lived the rest of his life with Leslie’s father and died on
going faster. I started riding ahead to make sure the road was
But believe it or not, a little silky terrier played a very 31 October 1926.
clear.
important role in the Australian Armed forces during World War
The shells were falling uncomfortably close. At Hooge I had to
1. His name was Driver. R.I.P. Driver
Anne’s Poppy his eyes and his hand went limp. And, for just that moment, she The Great War and Me
wanted to believe it.
ISABELLA BAKER JADE CAMERON
The Great War and Me
Dark clouds blanketed the sky as rain poured over the ward like a Claude Edgar Wood, 27, blue eyes, light brown hair, complexion
hail of bullets. The smell of the dead and wounded hung heavy fresh. Joined Australian Imperial Forces 28.4.1916.
TYNESHA BAKER
in the rancid atmosphere of the operating theatre. Moaning What would become of this solemn man, a butcher from a
cries echoed loudly throughout the ward. So many young lives, small town Cumberland N.S.W? 3.5.1917 proceeded overseas to
So I’ve set up camp for myself on the hard dusty dirt, since all
emptied into an inky pit of ruins. Never to see their families France 12th tng Battalion, via Folkestone. Fought for his life for 34
the beds are taken due to the amount of unexpected wounded.
again. Everything they had ever been and everything they might days, lost his company, on his own and wounded in action.
As I lie here, I contemplate how much of a blur today was. It was
have become, gone forever. Nurses moved from patient to patient You can see my great Grandmothers face when she receives
about 7:30am, the sun was starting to rise in the horizon and I
like ghostly white phantoms holding blood stained bandages. the message on a sunny Sunday morning after attending mass
could hear explosions and gunfire in the distance. I remember
Anne sighed as she washed her hands in the bloody, dirty water. at her local Parish in Windsor.’’ Dear Madam, I regret to advise
my friend, Keith Murdoch; who was another member of the
She had heard news that her brother had been fighting in Verdun you that Private C. Wood, has been admitted to Alexandra
Australian Army Medical Corpse (AAMC); tell me “Not long
not far from the hospital ward she served in. So much pain and Hospital, Cosham, England, suffering from gunshot wound left
now, are you ready?”
so much grief, but still no sign of George. She remembered how foot severe.’’ She collapses on the stairs of the parish. Ester was
As he asked me that question all I could do was think back and
his laughing blue eyes twinkled as his smile twitched blissfully only praying an hour earlier for her son to return home safely and
wish I could be back home at South Shield in England with my
in the morning sun. How his chocolate brown windswept hair knew that after the many dead from Gallipoli, her son may not
mother and sister.
danced smoothly on his head. come home from France. Although the news was not comforting,
I know I enlisted myself in The Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
Anne adjusted her white bonnet and exhaled deeply. She he was returning home. The hospital in England was also under
but nothing could prepare me for what was about to happen.
turned around, ready to attend to the next patient. Metallic threat and news came again that he was been transferred to
As we got closer to shore, I could the hear sounds of moans
fear stabbed her tongue, it was her brother. His eyes were lost another Hospital.
from wounded soldiers. I could barely get off the ship and could
and wretched with fear as he stared hopefully at her. His face Norman Wimble Cameron, Corporal 3rd Field Artillery
already smell and hear the bullets flying through the air. I knew
was streaked with dirt and sweat as he smiled gently. Finally, he Brigade, landed in Gallipoli at dawn Sunday 25th April 1915,
the job at hand and was immediately into action, carrying one
managed to whisper. with Colonel Rosenthal. What fate was to be played out for this
of my mates on my shoulders into one of the nearest trenches.
“Hey sis, how things?” Anne smiled weakly back at him, 20 year old, blue eyed Electrician from Charleston Queensland?
A donkey which looked as scared as me, was just standing by
noticing his blood covered chest. After many letters from my Great Great Grandfather to the
the trench, looking into his eyes for that very brief moment, I
“Don’t worry George, I’m going to look after you just like Major Officer in charge, John Cameron was getting no positive
knew we were going to be brothers in arms for life so I decided
you looked after me back home.” She gave her brother some reports of his sons whereabouts or if he was still alive. Finally
to nickname him “Duffy” and figured he could help me carry the
anaesthetic and wiped the sweat and blood from his face with her after 5 months, of continuous letter writing to different people, a
wounded which he did very bravely throughout the whole day.
sleeve. Then Anne started digging in his chest, searching for the letter saying he had returned to duty in Egypt. Norman was not
My job sounded like it was going to be quite simple and
small, sharp silver bullet. Her thoughts pulled her into a trance as receiving correspondence from his Father and John was becoming
straight forward but as soon as I stepped on the sands of ANZAC
she remembered how she laughed and talked with George as they desperate for answers as he had so many questions.
Cove, I knew I was about to live out my worst nightmare. I’d
ran through the meadows. She remembered how George taught 9TH July, 1917. ‘’Dear Sir, I beg to advise you that Corporal
rather not recall what I witnessed today but all I can say is, as
her how to ride her bike and how he liked to take her hand and N.W Cameron, suffering gunshot wound, right arm’’. Then
I walked through The Australian Casualty Clearance Station
dance in the rain. She remembered… finally the telegram, he was too scared to open fearing the worst.
(ACCS) and looked at the faces of these poor brave souls we call
Suddenly George started shaking violently. His knuckles CORPORAL CAMERON, Twenty Three Sixty Six with Anzacs
our brothers, it was making me sick to my stomach knowing most
turned pale white. His fists were clenched tight. His head swayed arriving Melbourne Saturday.
of them wouldn’t be able to return home to see their loved ones.
from side to side and he started moaning for home, family and My name is Jade Isabel Cameron, green eyes, brown hair,
What was even worse was that the majority of these soldiers were
love. Blood stained his hair and trickled slowly down his face. aged 12, Student. I am here today because of these two brave
not fit enough to return into the field of battle however due to
His legs thrashed against the bed. Anne realised the anaesthetic young men and their survival. Yes they did eventually start their
the lack of firepower and also due to the considerable shortage of
was wearing off. George was trembling, his hands shook and he own family, but life for them was hard because of the torment
beds me, Keith and a few others from the AAMC were trying to
started coughing up blood. His chest heaved painfully as blood they both went through on the brutal battlefields of WW1. My
get them cleared within 24-72 hours.
poured out of it each time he exhaled. He blinked rapidly and his Great Grandfathers were not prepared for the torment, neither
We all came here thinking we were prepared..... We were so
pulse was getting faster. were their families able to understand the full details of the war
wrong, And in saying that who knows if I live the night or even
Unexpectedly, George suddenly relaxed and reached out to upon their loved ones. So it’s only fitting that 100 years later, their
hold my mother and sister once more.
touch Anne’s hand. He clutched it and whispered ever so softly. 12 year old Great Granddaughter can read and understand the
Until next time, John Simpson Kirkpatrick signing off......
“It’s going to be OK Anne, it’s going to be OK.” Slowly he closed things they had seen brought about by the many horrors, they
HIGHLY
COMMENDED
WINNER
PAINTING ABOVE BY HOLLY FAULDS; PICTURE OPPOSITE JACQUELINE BERTHOLD
heard while in the trenches. is a river, drowning me in its torrents of unmerciful, abhorrent sobbing hysterically. A visualization of my friends appear, their
I was determined to research their incredible sacrifices now water, only to be washed up in its bank of fear and forced through faces in shock of the decision I have made. James. His name rings
digitised and briefly tell Australia their story. the unmitigated abomination again. through my ears like the bells of death at a funeral. I told each of
I hope they can be proud of me today. Suddenly, the feeling of strain disappears, only to be replaced them the same statement, the same lie. It was that lie saved my
by one of cold revulsion. I peer into the distance, and gasp life, and is soon to kill me. I told each and every one of them the
melodramatically with what I identify. In the distance, lies the most ironic three words that can possibly be spoken. With that,
I’ll be Fine
silhouette of several Italian planes, nostalgic signs of forbidding I hear the screeching sound my plane colliding with the sturdy,
murder. From the corner of my eye I see James. I expect him durable ground. I tell myself the three words until it is no longer
EMMA CHERRY to be overwhelmed with despicable hysteria, however, a look of intellectually possible.
mourn spreads across his face. With a no more than a subtle I’ll be fine.
I look across to my colleague, James, who was in utter glance towards me, his look of melancholy is replaced with one of
concentration of his current situation. It absolutely astounds me agony, as I hear the first gunshot shriek across the field. His plane
Alice Ross-King
that he can stay so serene and placid while flying a plane. My is a stone in water, dropping and dropping, helplessly plummeting
hands, however, are flames, quivering and trembling, vulnerable from surface to ground. The sight makes my stomach gyrate
to any insignificant movement made. People of high military with terror. Abhorrence digests the field, impenetrable to any ZOE COCHRANE
significance are observing our every advance, to be followed jubilation and optimism. His plane subsides, its defiance to gravity
with a deep, ponderous thought, as if they were staking their instantaneously fatigues. Alice was born in 1887 to Archibald Ross-King, a store keeper
lives on the decision they were making. I grimace with anguish Within a millisecond of misery, a bullet tears through my left and his wife Henrietta. The family moved to Perth soon after she
with every remark they write on those seminal pieces of paper, shoulder, following the deafening sound of the enemies’ promise was born where her father and two brothers tragically drowned in
the significance of those marks are what defines my place in the of death. My muscles experience immediate exposure to agony. an accident on the Swan River. Soon she and her mother moved
hierarchy of the military. My heart is an automobile, progressively travelling to my throat. to Melbourne where she was brought up. She was educated at the
My limbs are now abnormally debilitated, threatening the Grief is a major distraction to the fact that I was plunging to the Convent of Mercy and later went to Presbyterian Ladies College.
dependability of my welfare. Anxiety towers over me, like an ground. Not been old enough to enrol as a nurse she had to be content
indestructible monster, daring to be fought. The apprehensiveness I see the look of desolation on my parents’ face, mixed in helping out at the local hospital. Later she served in the theatre
with exasperation and betrayal. I picture my younger siblings, room at the Austin hospital. Later on, when world war one broke
out she naturally joined up. She was so very brave to sign up underwater when the AE2 was damaged by a torpedo ship called in hospital in England before being sent back to the front to do it
without knowing what lay ahead. She was stationed in Egypt Sultanhisar [5]. The sub was too critically damaged to continue, all again.
where she nursed with the Australian Imperial Force. so we scuttled it and were picked up by the Sultanhisar. When By the middle of 1918 the surviving original ANZACS were
we got to shore, we were made prisoners of war. We stayed there had it, most were broken men.
for almost three and a half years. I was grateful to be released in Eric, along with the ‘original’ ANZACS of the First field
The Silent Anzac
1918. Ambulance, was already on his way home when the Great War
finally ended.
ETHAN DON As a stretcher bearer, he would have saved hundreds may be
ERIC Ewings First Field
thousands of lives, he would however have sentenced others to
“Attention! Stand... MARCH!” the commander belted out. While certain death as he had to decide who was to be treated first and
Ambulance AIF
we were marching, an army officer briskly marched up to the who he would have to come back for later.
commander and whispered something in his ear. The commander My grandfather said Eric was affected by this for the rest of his
let us have a break while he talked near the pyramids. I spotted BODHI EWINGS life.
the army officer pointing at a few people, and then marching He never went to any Anzac Ceremonies. When asked why,
away. In less than a minute the commander marched up to us and My great, great, grandfather; he said that there was nothing to celebrate; that nobody ever died
ordered: “Crew of AE2 Submarine step forward!” A few men my grandfather’s, grandfather, Eric Ewings, was an original valiantly or heroically; he couldn’t commemorate anything to do
stepped forward, including myself. I was a member of the crew. Anzac; he walked from his work in a grocers shop in Redfern to with war.
It was almost a week later in the year 1915, when the AE2 Queens Park Waverley on the first day of enlistment August 24th He might not have been proud of what he did, but we are still
rocketed out of Egyptian waters. I was ecstatic to be at sea again! 1914. His enlistment number is 161. very proud of him.
I had received the job of turning the altitude dial, which changes He was selected as a stretcher bearer with the 1st Field This work is not all my own, my grandfather Allan Eric Ewings help me
the depth of the sub. Ambulance AIF. He was 24 years old, he was a little older and
‘Built by the Royal Australian Navy, AE2 was an E class must have been fitter than a lot of other new recruits. The First
Great War and me
submarine. AE2 was built alongside another submarine called Field Ambulance history page says “the standard of physical
AE1. They both sailed to Australia from England in what was, fitness for stretcher bearers was higher than that required for
at the time, the longest voyage ever undertaken by a submarine. infantry.” BROOKE FIETKAU
After the start of World War 1, both subs were sent to German He sailed for Egypt and then to Lemnos and then on the April
New Guinea. Soon after, AE1 disappeared without a trace [1]. 25th; they arrived at ANZAC cove A century ago there was sacrifice, horror, and adrenaline of war.
Then AE2 started patrolling around Fiji. With no need for He survived the landings and went to work. Ships were everywhere full of men from all over Australia. It was
submarines in the Pacific or Indian waters, AE2 was towed to the For the next 6 months, Eric carried the wounded from the a very hard thing to do for the mothers because why would you
Mediterranean, and arrived off Egypt in early 1915[2]. trenches to the beach, almost every day, 7 days a week, being shot sign up to the war and parents do not know. Life as a solider is
Several weeks later, the captain announced that we were nearing at by snipers, lucky not to be killed, like the famous Simpson; he hard they had to learn how to use guns and be courageous have
Turkish waters. We were in the Sea of Marmara [3]. I spun carried the wounded to the dressing stations on the beach. you had a family member going to Gallipoli before? Soliders
the dial up and the captain stared out the periscope, to look I think the documentaries and movies give us a good idea of who charge should be proud and horrify anyway so want to hear
at the Turkish Defenses. Then a shot cracked through the air. the look of the terrible conditions Eric and the other soldiers more? .... Ok I will even though a solider is hard what about a
And another. And yet another. The AE2 had been spotted! The endured. pilot. A pilot is scary at the same time because you may crash or
captain ordered that I crank down the dial to submerge the But I don’t think we can imagine the hunger and thirst, we die in an accident. Flying would be hard without training. Image
submarine. can’t imagine the feel of unwashed clothes with lice crawling all that you had a seventeen year old flying a massive plane and die.
When we finally got out of the perpetual gunfire we were relieved over us, we can’t imagine the smell of the decaying bodies and of Sailors may look easy because of looking out to sea that is not
until we heard the clank of a metal cord rubbing against the sub. the open toilets, we can’t imagine how it would be to be scared of how to be a sailor, being a sailor requires you to stand proud and
Alarmed, the captain realized that it was an underwater mine. being shot or blown up all day every day. do your job you can look and say to your self is this the right job
Suddenly it occurred to us why the Turkish let us get away. It After Gallipoli Eric was sent to the Western front or not. Soldiers wear green pilots wear navy sailors wear white
was probably because we had entered the underwater mine field He kept pulling wounded soldiers out of the trenches all so does nurses but nurses dont fight really they care for men who
we had heard about. There were probably hundreds of mines, through 1916, 1917 and the early part of 1918. He survived are cut, massive bleeding, and broken bones so in 1914 turkey
maybe even thousands! We were in serious danger and I started through the famous battles of the Somme, of Ypres and Pozieres. was ready to fight Australia so off they went up the hill bullets
to panic. Eric’s record doesn’t say much though there are a couple of everywhere bang bang bang bang. A solider was dying every
After a few hours of waiting and slowly moving (hoping we interesting bits, second the more the more men die with bullets everywhere on
wouldn’t ram into a mine and explode into a million pieces), we On 21st of October 1916 he was convicted of the ‘Crime the body. Men can cry because so many of wonderful people
finally got through the mine field in the early hours of 25th April – “In the Field“ Conduct to the prejudice of good order and do this for our country they do this for the next 4 years of their
1915. We cruised underwater and soon we came across a Turkish Military discipline, to wit, using Foul Language at an NCO’ (non- lifes in Gallipoli. Fathers and sons working together mateships
ship. We went closer and fired a torpedo at the ship, damaging commissioned officer). He was “awarded 7days”???? everywhere they will bring a photo of their children or wives,
it [4]. After five anxious days, we were maneuvering along Not long after this he was mustard gassed and spent a month bloody tears beyond the sun. What soilders give back to mates?
POWERPOINT ABOVE EMILY GRIMES; PAINTING OPPOSITE BY CHRISTIAN HILIOUNAKIS
I know poppies red flowers that you wear, place, pin and show safety I knew that god was telling me to save these men. seconds after the whistle you could hear soldiers charging to the
during the war I have a rhyme that says poppies are red mates are I started to pull out the men on the stretchers out of the enemies. You could hear those who were shot dead on the ground
bright people are dying least we forget its almost over men are hospital and into the air raid shelter. It was hard work; I finally and the loudest thing you could hear was the gun shots coming
tried sore wounds bullets everywhere everyday how was the poppy saw some other nurses and they came to help. I have been waiting from either side. I was there shooting from the side then I quickly
discovered? During the war poppies were among the spring my whole life for this. So lets go, I started to get more and more got up and charged. There were just a few of the Australian
battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In the English men out of the room. Now the bombs started to really rain down. soldiers here still fighting for our lives. Those soldiers who were
century poppies were symbolised sleep and state of oblivion so Each step we took the earth shook, men were screaming, “There shot but were still alive, quickly got back to the trenches. My
that is how the poppies were discovered Remembrance Day is a coming, they’re coming run for shelter men!” thinking they were best mate and I were still shooting, walking step by step to the
day that marks our brave people in Gallipoli. On the 11th day still in the battlefield. I could not pull some men out of the room enemies. “BAM!” that was his time. He was one of the most
of the 11th month marks the 97th anniversary of WW1 every by myself I had to call some of the other woman to help evacuate amazing people I have ever met.
year. There is a one minute silent on 11am this day takes all over them. They’re only a handful of us woman helping all the I was still fighting! Tears were coming down from my eyes
the world. Even in Turkey is a place where the men are placed to wounded to get to the shelter. while I was fighting for my best mate, my family, friends and
rest with a cross and a badge with information on it. That is life Finally we got all the men into the air raid shelter. It was a long my country. This war wasn’t ending until either side gave up. I
in Gallipoli the war is over for good the men are happy. Kids are and painful process pulling all the stretchers over rocks and fallen quickly ran back to the trenches . Everybody was running up and
saying ‘daddy’ and their wives are crying that they are back the bricks from the hospital. down the trenches helping those who were really injured and
war as soon as the ship comes back the celebration starts right We eventually got all the nurses and the wounded into the were about to lose their lives.
until now. hospital. On our way out I grabbed some necessary supplies: It was the evening and those injured soldiers were taking a
food, water, bandages, ointment, and some stitching equipment rest while the other soldiers were still keeping an eye out for any
for the men and women who got injured during the bombing. gun shots coming from ahead. We don’t know how many days
A short story on Elizabeth
In about 1 hour or 2 I could not tell the time, the raid was over or weeks until this war was going to end. There were still a few
and we all piled out of the shelter. Everything was in ruins; we people recovering, saying their prayers and hoping for the best. I
(Sister) Pearl Corkhill
all knew we had to get out of that environment. So we hauled to was still sad about my mate who passed away a few hours ago. He
stretchers to the boats and took the next boat out to Australia. did what he had to do and in any minute somebody could die. I
When I got home I was awarded the Military medal for my was still keeping an eye out for any gunshots. It was midnight and
LILYARNA GENFORD
bravery, I was starving. I hadn’t eaten for two days.
But I couldn’t see why I deserved it I was only doing my job. 26 April 1915
I turned around with a jolt. All I could feels is hot flames around
It was very early in the morning and I had not had any sleep.
me I immediately knew that we were bombed. Everything was
We decided to go early and attack. So we headed out slowly and
starting to collapse we were stationed right near the battlefield Robert Beatham The Soldier
quietly. Next minute we attacked the enemies and we killed as
just miles away. I could still hear exploding shells going off in the
many people as we could. I could hear people dying and I was
distance. My first thought was to save the patients, I didn’t know that fought for us
worried. I kept fighting as hard as I could. Then I was shot in the
if I should just run out of the building or help. I decided to stay.
leg, I tried to head back to the trench and I made it. They tried to
In my experience I have gone through nothing compared to these
JANEMARIE HENRY stop the blood coming out of my leg but it was too late, I lost too
men.
much blood.
I looked through a gap in the window from the blackout
25 April 1915
curtains, the bomb only ruined the sterilising room as far as I
It was just a few hours until I (Robert Beatham) was about to fight
could see through all the smoke, but other bombs have been Kenneth Allan Bell
in war. I was furious and I scared if I was going to chicken out.
dropped throughout the hospital. All the men started to panic
My best mate was more worried than me and we were
I thought maybe if I stayed calm maybe they will. Every other
absolutely terrified. We were getting ready to say our goodbyes to JOSHUA JOHANSSON
nurse was yelling to take shelter because there was an enemy
our fellow friends and get into position for the big battle. It was
aircraft overhead. I knew I could not leave these men to die all
then a few more seconds until we were going to fight . I fought in the Battle of Pozières which was at a village in France.
over again. They have gone through to many hardships of the
It was time. The whistle blew and off we went. Just a few I enlisted in June 1915 at the age of 25 years.
time they’ve enlisted for this war. I have no regards for my own
Back in Australia I was an aspiring barrister studying at Sydney Nurse Mabel Earp himself further, there were times when they had let go, but they
University (I was in my third year of university when I enlisted). I quickly repositioned themselves to get a better grip.
didn’t feel like it was just a duty but an honour to go forward and Sighing to myself I ready myself for another injured man,
KANNITHA KERSHAW
“fight for the good old flag which stands for right and justice to all because until this war was over, there will be plenty more.
nations” which was concerning for the Empire.
Looking at the gruesomely injured man in front of me, I let my
As a boy I attended Petersham Public School and when I I was one of the few that made it
eyes soften at his broken form. His stomach was red and had a
graduated from there I attended Sydney Grammar School.
small hole where his belly button would be, it was obvious that
Marine law was important in my day because everything was back to tell the tale
this man had been shot, but the bullet had not gone straight
transported by ship. My father owned a significant shipping
through, it had hit a bone on its way out and was now stuck in
company that transported food and goods from the North Coast
there, with a broken –possibly fractured- bone. Not only that, RACHEL KINSEY
to Sydney and back. This sparked my interest in marine law. At
but his right ankle was twisted in an angle that I thought wasn’t
17 I was apprenticed to the Vernjean Shipping Company and I
possible. This boy looked to be around eighteen or so, still young These days nightmares haunt me whenever I manage to
spent 2 years sailing around the coast of England until our boat
and barely a man. Taking a breath I sat next to the poor boy and shut out my thoughts long enough to sleep. Thinking back to
was shipwrecked.
grabbed my sketch book. The solider was unconscious; he had those dark times I wonder if all the spilt blood was worth it. I
I left Sydney on the 11th of March 1916 on the troopship named
passed out from exhaustion most likely. When he came in he was volunteered to fight for Australia hoping for adventure and glory.
Orsova to Egypt where I stayed for 3 or 4 weeks and went to
screaming and crying, every movement seemed to have set him Little did I know what it felt like when someone fell like a rock to
France afterwards. I was a lieutenant in the 19th Battalion 5th
off. It was worse when we tried to set him on the bed, we had to the ground, and you knew you were the one responsible for taking
Brigade which had already been at Gallipoli before I had joined.
twist his angle so he could lay down, which made him scream that young man’s life.
Our battalion was posted to the front and I arrived on 16th of
bloody murder and he started to struggle against us, though he We were told the terrain at Gallipoli shore would be like home.
July 1916. 23,000 Australians lost their lives in Pozières in the six
passed out soon afterwards. Grabbing my pencil, I looked up at A flat, wide beach that would give us an advantage. The plan, we
week battle. There were more casualties for the Australians in
the sleeping solider and then I began to draw him. I lightly drew realised a little too late wasn’t as fool proof as we’d hoped. As our
the Battle of Pozieres than the whole of the Gallipoli campaign.
the shape of his head on the table, the way his eyes were closed boat hit the peninsula of Gallipoli, the steep, rocky mountains did
Australian historian Charles Bean wrote the Pozières ridge “is
and he was getting some well-deserved rest. The way his face not look promising.
more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place
darkened in some areas caused by dirt, blood and grime. The way The climb was tiring. Already a few men were bloody and
on earth”.
his body was facing and the bandage on his ankle was already unable to continue. The sound of pistols firing was like nothing
We fought in Pozières because it was a key part of the German
soaking in blood. I had ever heard before, and sent a shot of adrenaline through
defensive system. We took Pozières but the Germans were
I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked up from the sketch to see my body. Conquering each small mountain felt like an enormous
desperate to get it back. Despite their efforts, it resulted in our
a nurse. “Ma’am, the tools are here, you may start.” Nodding to achievement.
victory.
the nurse I stood up. “Thank you.” I picked up a scalpel and went Next to me was new friend Sebastian. He got queasy at the
I was in Pozières for only 10 days on the 26th of July 1916. It was
to cut his stomach where the lines had been placed, but a thought sight of blood but was incredibly fit and smart. He had thrived
the most intense day of bombardment by the Germans in the
ran through my head that made me pull back. “Nurse, Trestail, during the intense training at Egypt. We covered each other and
whole of the battle at Pozières. I died because of a shell burst.
please hold him down, you two, Nurse Morrice.” The nurses did worked like a team. A pack filled with food, fresh water, socks, a
When the survivors were relieved on the 27th of July, one
so and I began the operation. I was right when I thought that jacket and a few cigarettes was shared between us.
observer, Sergeant E.J Rule said: “They looked like men who
he would struggle as soon as I placed the tool on his skin. As the The sleepless nights spent on the boat were starting to gain on
had been in Hell…. Drawn and haggard and so dazed that they
scalpel started to pierce his soft flesh, he started to whimper and me. It was bitterly cold and occasionally you could hear a gun
appeared to be walking in a dream and their eyes looked glassy
struggle, it broke my heart a little to see a poor man struggle, but fire in the distance or a man’s terrified scream. Sebastian could
and starey.”
I knew that if I did not do this, he would die. sleep through anything and claimed to never get dreams. I didn’t
I was buried at the British Pozières Cemetery and my mother
I looked upon the fortunate eighteen year old boy, who has believe him. Every night in his sleep he would murmur about his
left the war memorial a portrait of me. At my church (Ashfield
been lucky enough to survive the operation and will see his family family and the deaths of our troupes.
Presbyterian) there is a large plaque in remembrance of me
again. His stomach area is bandaged and his ankle is going to I woke up to the alarming sound of a bullet being fired. Our
and a photographic tribute to my war service is projected on
take some time to heal properly, but he will survive and that’s trenches were under attack. Bullets were flying everywhere. One
the exterior of the Hall of Memory on a periodic basis at the
what matters. Both Nurse Morrice and Nurse Trestail had held of my ears went deaf from the booming sound of bombs flying
Australian War Memorial.
him down by his arms and legs, making sure he did not injure out of the enemy planes. All I needed was to remember the
DRAWING BY BROOKE ARCHER
promise I made to my mum, to come home. I grabbed Sebastian’s parts of my gun. I race left to right looking for the enemies’ my wonderful son again faded into the community’s grief and
arm and ran. hunting ground as a thick layer of grey smoke swayed peacefully misery.
Somehow we managed to weave our way around the trenches, past, with several deceased bodies lying on the lonely field. I stalk Then the flow of letters suddenly stopped. In the hope that
but as soon as we made it to a safety Sebastian was moaning. I and choose my target without them knowing. Suddenly everyone Clarence was still out there somewhere, I sent a letter every day.
turned to ask what was wrong but at the sight of his leg my voice is the target. The letters can take weeks to get to the soldiers, so I sent an early
wouldn’t come. Blood was gushing out of a bullet wound above The pallor of a winter evening seemed to have closed upon the 23rd birthday card to Clarence to make sure he would get it in
his knee. trenches, cloaking them in mist. My eyes burned like a blazing time.
“You can still make it” he whispered as his eyes rolled fire. All our lives were hanging of a thread. It was kill or be killed. A few days later I finally received a letter. Joshua and I opened
backwards. My hands clenched onto the trigger. My hands easing through the it together. The first letter we’d received in a month. Could this
From then on I was running on auto-pilot. I can’t remember gaps of my gun with sweet I breath a cold sigh. be the source of new hope?
getting back to the boats with other Australian troupes. I was My skin was covered in a coating of slimy sweat from the
numb the whole way home. The next thing I remember seeing continuous gunfire. No one at home could imagine what life was
Black Ship
was my mum’s pained and relieved face. like here at Anzac not even a picture nor story could retell the
That’s what we were fighting for out there. lives of the fallen men who risked their lives for our nation. A
breeze of air blows against my cheeks. Tears blurred my vision as MARIA MANGOULIAS
the atmosphere was as cool as ice. I fall into the lifeless earth as
Great War and me
rocks stabbed my backside. I slowly fade away. “Splash!” thousands of miniscule droplets bounce out from the
enormous ebony pot and onto my bare flesh. I wince as they
JEREMY KWOK burn my arm, stinging like thousands of piercing needles. “Move
Clarence Jeffries
away from the pot!” shouts my mother “And bring those potatoes
The rattles of the guns deafen my ear, I run through the rocky here!” I drop the bruised and rotten potatoes from my stained
trench as dirt splashes my body, smoke fills the air as I cough ELLA MALLIGAN apron and onto the grimy bench top for my mother to peel. Mr.
repeatedly. I leap inside the sniping area as my fingers move Bertram snorts and continues to mix the watery stew, a mixture
like lightning setting up my sniper. I rock side to side as the Saying goodbye was the hardest thing. I watched my little boy of outdated corn beef and stale vegetables, oblivious to my pain.
thunderous booms shake the earth’s crust. Sweat dribbles down walk up onto the HMAT Hororata. The ship that would take My mother points to the flour. I know what she is indicating. She
my forehead as I lie down. My eyes trained through the smoky my only child, my little Clarence, away to war. Tears streamed wants me to remove the maggots before she kneads the next batch
mist as heads fly up and down like flies. My finger melting into down my face like a waterfall, as I waved at my beloved son. He of bread.
the metal trigger as my eyes glued onto my scope. “BANG!” the was like a boy amongst men. I didn’t stop waving until the ship The kitchen is dim and musty. Black and brown mold dots the
trigger flies back as the bullet bursts out. I sigh with relief. My was completely out of view. The whole way home, my husband, cracked ceiling in clusters whilst rotten food scraps lie scattered
eyelashes flickers as my eyebrows twitch. One by one I race my Joshua and I, sat in silence. Praying hard that one day in the near across the floor. As gruesome as it sounds, the food prepared here,
eyes for my next target. future, we’d return to greet our dear son. would appear as a magnificent meal to the unfortunate souls lying
Day dawn arrived as the sound of gunfire stopped. I follow The weeks that followed our tearful farewell were hard. It was just meters away from us.
the lit lights as my blistered hands sting. The weight of my as if wherever Clarence was the sunshine and happiness followed. It’s the 6th of August 1915, my mother and I are nurses serving
sniper drowns me to the ground. I fall back collapsing on my Leaving only shadows and sorrow behind in Newcastle. aboard the hospital ship, Gascon, in Anzac Cove, just off the
mat. I shove the tin cans that surrounded me. I stare deeply into I received Clarence’s first letter in early July and a bit of sun Turkish Coast in Gallipoli. We come to help out in the Galley
the night sky as the glittering lights dazzled. The sounds of the started to come out. He had been promoted to Lieutenant after every evening before our shift begins. It is a way to relax and
injured soldiers who moan awaken me at night. five months training in England. We were extremely proud of our forget, the dreadful reality that awaits us. Our duty is to treat the
The trumpet blows as comrade’s wake. The sunset filled the son. wounded as best as we can and ship our cargo of misery to the
entire sky with the deep colours of rubies, setting the clouds The months after were filled with our weekly correspondence. general hospitals.
ablaze. “Attack!” Roaring sounds of explosion and bullets Clarence’s refreshing style of writing and even his familiar There was something different about today, the environment
piercing through the atmosphere. A tsunami of dirt covers my handwriting was the most important thing in the world to me. was upbeat in the Galley. Everyone was talking about a major
legs as soldiers scatter the trench impossible to get up. I rage Clarence’s letters informing me of his arrival in France provided offensive that had started, one that will end this terrible war. ‘The
for help. The earth’s crust shaking in anger as dirt collides over me with great comfort through the tough times occurring around August Offensive’, they called it, led by our Australian diggers.
the soldiers. Thunderous explosions hit the edge of the trench. me. Half the town had already lost family in the raging battle in “Come Ella, its time,” My mother whispers. My positive feeling
I scream. Rage inside me brings me back on my feet. Roaring the Western Front where my poor Clarence was fighting for King rapidly subsides. A sickening odour begins to arise as we get
bullets fire dramatically. Soldiers drop dead like a fly into the and Country. closer to the ward doors. I begin to hear screams and moans of
lifeless earth. Clarence’s next letter bought terrible news that he had joined the wounded. I open the doors.
I glared into my scope as my fingers clenched on the wooden the battle in Passchendaele. My hope that I would someday see Dense air hovers in the sweltering room, sticky and humid,