ANZAC DAY MUSINGS 2013

John Simpson @ Gallipoli

Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April and is one of those days when I reflect on what our relatives and friends did during the major conflicts around the world. I think of those friends I have met in my travels as a customs agent and business representative, especially in the Military and the many Returned Services Association clubs I have been involved in over a period of 50+ years. I was a member of a Regimental Pipe Band for nearly 3 1/2 decades and was delighted to receive a medal this year for my Army service as a Territorial soldier. My first full parade in uniform was on Anzac Day where we marched in two parades on the North Shore in Auckland and I have written previously about this time (Lest we forget )….. http://briansbash.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/lest-we-forget.html

I have always enjoyed the company of elderly servicemen and women who were involved in WW2 and I have a large collection of books on the subject. As a family we have read of our relatives who died on the battlefield and also those who were fortunate to return to New Zealand, not many are still alive and I venerate those who are.

Grandad from a sketch

Over the years, I have used the period around Anzac Day to pore over old photos of relatives photos or documents outlining their war service and I have always felt a huge amount of sympathy for what they must have endured not only during the war, but on their return. I have vivid memories of my Maternal Granddad, coughing violently, the result of being gassed at Mons in WW1. Although he was a serious cigarette smoker, this prior damage to his lungs, probably led to his early death, mainly of emphysema. (The Graphic sketch was drawn by his son Rick Ramsey)

This year I had a couple of experiences that made me think of Anzac Day or Remembrance Day, but two in particular struck a chord with me and I will share them. An article in the NZ Herald about a WW2 Veteran grabbed my attention as I had known one of the 94 year old soldiers personally. Major Watty MacEwan had been instrumental in the formation of our civilian pipe band becoming associated with the NZ Army. He was a Regular army officer who had served with General Freyberg at El Alamein and had been a participant at the famous break-out at Minquar Quaim, when the New Zealanders drove through the German lines to escape being captured. ( I have met a number of men who have described hair raising stories about this episode) 

Pipes & Drums Anzac Day 1981

Our band which was known officially as "The Band, The 1st Divisional Signals Regiment (Pipes and Drums) Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals. (This title was approved by the NZ Army Board in Oct 1957) … Needless to say, we shortened it to the Signals Pipes & Drums. Major MacEwan also became our liaison for the annual "Freedom of the Borough of Howick" parade which marched through the main streets of Howick each year. The Charter was a very fancy parchment document which was read out by the Mayor and contained the paragraph " … the right and privilege, without further permission, in full dress uniform carrying weapons with bayonets fixed, drums beating, band playing, colours flying, and swords drawn  ..etc… We then marched to the RSA for an excellent afternoon of further entertainment and a wonderful meal. (I am not sure if this parade is still held) Watty MacEwan is apparently in poor health, but his motto "never give up" has held him in good stead over many years.

The article in the NZ Herald is here>>. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10879167

Malta G.C Award

My Second recent experience relates to a visit to Whangarei Hospital to visit my Mother in Law who has been suffering some health difficulties. In the bed opposite Margaret was a 90 year old, white haired lady who had been born in Turkey and was able to discuss Turkish events with my Sister in Law who has recently returned from living in Turkey for a decade. This lady (Norah) asked me to pass some magazines over and we started to have a discussion. I greeted her with "Salaam Alaikum" which I knew was a traditional form of greeting and her eyes immediately lit up as she replied "Alaikum Salaam". As we talked she explained that although born in Istanbul, she had lived for a long time on Malta and was there through the terrible bombing they endured during WW2. Her stories of being driven underground to the catacombs for weeks on end and the lack of food and deprivation for a long period of time, made me realise just how luck we had been, living so far away. She told of having scabies and sore that wouldn't heal because of the lack of medication and the awful sight of her school friends bodies being recovered from the bombed out ruins of their homes. Malta was at one stage the most bombed place on earth. She had married a Royal Navy man who was a young Signaler and they finally emigrated to New Zealand. I could have talked for hours, but I could see that this wonderful lady was becoming tired, so I made my farewells and left her in peace. (I have heard that she has returned home to her own house)

I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to meet both these heroes and I only wish that we as a society take every opportunity to write down storied from this fading generation. Soon it will be too late! I hope to attend Anzac Day in Waipu, however the knees are still waiting to be surgically repaired and my marching leaves a lot to be desired these days. Needless to say, I will be up early and will be savouring every TV link to our various Anzac Ceremonies, here and overseas.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM … LEST WE FORGET.