ANZAC Day 2015

One hundred years ago today, the allied forces landed on the Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey.  In the battle that ensued, over 57,000 allied troops died, including almost 9,000 Australian and almost 3,000 New Zealand troops known collectively as the ANZACS.

Across Australia and New Zealand, this is commemorated with Dawn Services held in every city, town village.  We attended our local service at Salisbury, and a few photographs are included below. 

ANZAC Day is a time to remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, and I dedicate this post to the members of my family that served in World War 1, never to return to their loved ones:

 

George Frederick Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1915, age 23, at Gallipoli, Rifleman in the Hampshire Regiment.

 

Eric Raymond Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1915, age 18, at Gallipoli, Lance Corporal in the Hampshire Regiment.

 

George and Eric were Uncle and Nephew.

 

Henry George Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 20, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

 

Alfred Victor Funnell(1), Died 28 Oct 1915, age 18, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Driver in the Royal Engineers

 

Henry and Alfred were brothers.

 

William Albert Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 20, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

 

Frank Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 22, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

 

Henry, Alfred, William and Frank were all cousins.

 

Frank Crittenden, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 21, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

 

HMS Hythe was accidentally rammed and sunk off the Galipolli coast by HMS Sarnia with the loss of 155 lives including 5 of my relatives

 

Alfred Victor Funnell(2), Died 9 Oct 1916, age 18, Somme, Picardy, France, Private in the Queens Own Royal Kent Regiment

 

Alfred was also a cousin of Henry, Alfred, William and Frank.

 

Albert Edward Holbrook, Died 19 Apr 1917, age 23, Palestine, Rifleman in the Hampshire Regiment

 

Alexander Male, Died 1 Dec 1917, age 33, at Cambrai, Pas de Calais, Private in the Royal Tank Corps.

 

Harry Philip Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1918, age 31, Borre, Pas de Calais, France, Sergeant in the Hampshire Regiment

 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

 

 

 

Lest we forget.

Barossa Airshow 2015

This is by far the longest gap I've had between posts. Due to an eye problem, I have not been using my camera, or going birding since last October.

This weekend was the Barossa Airshow, and I decided it was time to give my camera a workout.  Getting a sharp focus was definitely an issue, as was trying to use the viewfinder with my left eye, but all things considered I am reasonably happy with the results. 

The show opened with the Adelaide Skydivers.

Followed closely by the crowd favourites, the RAAF Roulettes in their Pilatus PC-9s. They start off with all 6 aircraft in formation

before two PC-9s split from the main formation and do some mirror formations and fast head on passes.

Next, one of the CFS Airtractors gave a display dropping water on a small fire

Next up, some warbirds, a replica Nieuport, the CAC Boomerang and a Nangchang from Adelaide Warbirds.

Jesse Jury (Yellow) and Chris Sperou (Red) raced against each other in their Pitts, performing a number of aerobatic  manoeuvres in the first race of its kind in Australia.
 

 

 The pace was slowed down when the beautifully restored Stinson Reliant gave its display,  before finishing with a bang when the SIAI Marchetti S211 jet trainer arrived.

A great day out!