The memorial commission was given to a firm in Italy. However no photographs were sent, so when the statue arrived, the uniform is that of an Italian soldier from WW1. It’s believed to be unique in that regard.
Eddie Albert fought in defence of Australia at a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans did not have equal access to the soldier-settler grants, amongst other exclusions and inequities.
His descendant Trish Albert speaks with pride about the strength that Eddie found in his wartime contribution – and his strong sense that he had earned equality.
Trish also speaks movingly of the people’s movement for recognition and urges all Australians to be part of putting this right. “I believe the Recognise campaign is a movement that we each need to be a part of,” she says.
Private Vincent McConville, 6th Infantry Battalion, Killed in Action, 8 May 1915.
This is a photo of my Nana’s eldest brother Vincent, my great uncle. He moved to Australia (from Manchester, England) before the rest of the family, and signed up for the army and had left for war before they got the chance to join him there. He was sixteen when this photo was taken and seventeen when he died.
Today is Anzac Day, however please don’t forget the aboriginal soldiers/black diggers who served us. Despite being second class citizens, they served Australia. When they came back they expected there courage to be respected. However this wasn’t the case in fact they were not even allowed to march in the Anzac parades.
Lest We Forget, Every Single Solider.
Below is South Australian WW1 Veteran: Miller Mack.
Monash believed less in a war of attrition than in planning infantry assaults to most effectively co-ordinate with the use of heavy artillery, air support, tanks, etc, thereby allowing the greater chance of success - essentially anything to prevent what he deemed an unnecessary loss of life.[x]
An Anzac Biscuit is a sweet biscuit from Australia and New Zealand, made of oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda, boiling water, and sometimes coconut. They have long been associated with the Australian and NZ Army Corps (ANZAC), established in W1. The biscuits were sent by wives and women’s groups to soldiers abroad as the ingredients don’t spoil easily and kept well during naval transport. They are now also made commercially for retail sale.
1 cup plain flour - 1 cup rolled oats (regular oatmeal), uncooked - 1 cup desiccated coconut (optional) - 1 cup brown sugar - ½ cup butter - 2 tbsp golden syrup - 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda / baking soda - 2 tbsp boiling water
Combine flour (sifted), oats, coconut if using, and sugar in a bowl. Melt butter and Golden Syrup in a saucepan over a low heat. Mix bicarbonate of soda with the water, add to the butter and syrup. Pour the liquids into the dry ingredients, mix. Spoon dollops of the mix, about the size of a walnut shell, onto a greased tin, leaving space between dollops to allow for spreading. Bake in a 180C / 350F oven for 15-20 mins. Cool on a wire rack and seal in airtight containers.
Note: The American tablespoon is a little smaller than the British/Australian, so be generous with your Golden Syrup and water.
