“Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives.
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well.“
In 1934, Kemal Atatürk delivered these words to the first Australians, New Zealanders and British to visit the Gallipoli battlefields. They were later inscribed on a monolith at Ari Burnu Cemetery (ANZAC Beach) which was unveiled in 1985. The words also appear on the Kemal Atatürk Memorial, Canberra, and the Atatürk Memorial in Wellington.
Let us take this day to remember all those, from Australia and New Zealand who gave their lives, not only in 75(NZ) Squadron RAF, but in every conflict before and after.
We shall remember them………….
Nice one Simon. Happy Anzac Day to you from downunder. Don’t forget a swy game or two today! Rex
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Would love to know if anyone has heard of Eddie Worsdale of 75 Squadron. He was my uncle (Mother’s Brother) but sadly passed away at age 96. Eddie was a gunner in Lancaster Bombers during WW2 and he and Jim Barnes wee shot down over France and it took them 3 weeks to walk to Switzerland.
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