Anzac Day 25 April

[Lolabelle]

A Tribute to ANZAC Day

With their hair a little whiter, their step not quite so sure
Still they march on proudly as they did the year before.
Theirs were the hands that saved us, their courage showed the way
Their lives they laid down for us, that we may live today.
From Gallipoli's rugged hillsides, to the sands of Alamein
On rolling seas and in the skies, those memories will remain.
Of airmen and the sailors, of Lone Pine and Suvla Bay
The boys of the Dardenelles are remembered on this day.
They fought their way through jungles, their blood soaked desert sands
They still remember comrades who rest in foreign lands.
They remember the siege of old Tobruk, the mud of the Kokoda Trail
Some paying the supreme sacrifice with courage that did not fail.
To the icy land of Korea, the steamy jungles of Vietnam
And the heroic battle of Kapyong and that epic victory at Long Tan.
Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died
That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried.
When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide
Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.

Ken Bunker

[North Rhins]

Poignant and touching.

[Echidna]

According to press reports 9000 people camped out at Gallipoli to take part in dawn service memorials this year. There are no veterans left in Australia from this campaign nor the Western Front. The Gallipoli dawn service has become part of a traditional Aussie - Kiwi pilgrimage, as has walking the Kokoda Track in PNG, a way to honour those who served in these campaigns.

There is only one 'digger' left from WWI, in Australia, and he did not see overseas service, he is 108 years young!

However, this year's Anzac Day parades throughout Australia saw great public interest and turn outs to honour those who returned and those who did not. Many who served in the 1st AIF (Australian Infantry Force) were born in, or had descendency from Scotland and Caithness.

Lest We Forget....

[oldmarine]

I remember the ANZAC's during WWII. They were great troopers who deserve a lot of respect from the people of today.

[scotsboy]

I was fortunate to attend the Anzac dawn service in Canberra in 1995, very moving.

[Echidna]

Many who served in the 1st AIF (Australian Infantry Force) were born in, or had descendancy from Scotland and Caithness.

A notable Caithness descendant who seved at Gallipoli was Major General Sir Granville de Laune Ryrie. He went to Gallipoli in 19 May 1915 as Commander of the Australian 2nd Light Horse. He rose to become Commander of the Australian Military Forces. Born in Michelago NSW on 7/1/1865 he had a distinguished military and political career, even serving at the League of Nations. He died on 2/10/1937.

[Echidna]

by no means a comprehensive list, just some Caithness ancestorial family names I am researching...with acknowledgement to the Highland Archive Roll of Honour....

Bremner Francis. 3023. L/Cpl.
47th Australian IF. 12th Aust Bde, 4th Aust Div.
Born Wick. Home & Enlisted Brisbane.
Died of wounds 14/08/16 Pozieres, Somme.
Parents; Don, Upper Dunbar St, Wick

Sinclair Alex. 1301. L/Cpl.
19th (New South Wales) Australian IF. 5th Aust Bde, 2nd Aust Div.
Born Reay. Home & Enlisted Scarbrough, NSW.
Killed in action 14/11/16. 33 yrs. Western Front.
Parents; Parents; Robert & Margt (Miller), Brackside, Reay.

Sinclair Alex. 6867. Pte.
Australian IF. Home Enlisted Australia. Cenotaph Halkirk.
Died from illness contracted on service 24/07/21.
Parents; Alex & Barbara. George St, Halkirk.

Sinclair Walter B G *. 1569. Pte.
31st (Queensland & Victoria) Australian IF. 8th Aust Bde, 5th Aust Div.
Born Halkirk. Home & Enlisted Australia.
Killed in action 20/07/16 20 yrs. Fromelles, Somme.
Parents; John & Mary. George St, Halkirk.

Sutherland Geo O *. 567. Pte.
31st (Queensland & Victoria) Australian IF. 8th Aust Bde, 5th Aust Div.
Born Home Australia Aug 14. Cenotaph Halkirk. Enlisted Australia.
Killed in action 18/07/16 20 yrs. Fromelles, Somme.
Parents; Alex & Barbera. Heatherly Cottage, Halkirk.

Sutherland Hector Daniel Louttit. 5095. Pte.
24th (Victoria) Australian IF. 6th Aust Bde, 2nd Aust Div.
Born Wick. Home & Enlisted Melbourne.
Killed in action 04/10/17 Broodseinde, Ypres.
Parents; Alex, Dempster St, Wick.

Sutherland John D G *. 4772. Pte.
Australian IF. Born Home, Cenotaph Halkirk. Enlisted Australia.
Killed in action 14/12/16 35 yrs. Somme Front.
Parents; Alex & Barbera. Heatherly Cottage, Halkirk.

[David Sutherland]

I note that you list a number of Caithness born who served with the Anzac forces during the first world war, and that they are some ancestorial family names that you are researching.

I am the nephew of Hector Daniel Louttit Sutherland who was killed at Broodseinde Ridge on 4th October 1917.

I have obtained details of his service record from Australia and the notice of his death in the John O' Groats Journal.

I would be interested to know if you are related and if the other names you listed are related.


.

[Tighsonas4]

ref the anzca day
my uncle was given the privilige a few years back of laying a
wreath in sydney he was james sutherland but was navy.
he had six brothers all serving as well as him. one in canadian mounted artillery. one never came back good to see this at this time
they were all coasters originally.
regards tony

[robynaus]

My daughter returns this week from service overseas.
In that land of sand where we probably shouldn't even be!
So the tradition continues and my pride in her and her fellow servicepeople is huge.
regards robyn

[Echidna]

I note that you list a number of Caithness born who served with the Anzac forces during the first world war, and that they are some ancestorial family names that you are researching. ...

I would be interested to know if you are related and if the other names you listed are related.


.

G'day Hector

yes these are all (ancestoral) family names, though I am yet to find distinct relationships to these individuals, they are most likely cousins as the web of Caithness was spun well before the Orger universe was created!

My 3X great grandmother being a Bremner from Freswick - Skirza, and buried at Keiss. My Sutherland and Sinclair ancestors come through the Nicolson line (Slickly and Stoupster) and go back many more generations...the research continues....

[danc1ngwitch]

read and a lump came to my throat, can say no more