Great turn out for the Wellington, NZ dawn service. Suspect there was more people again than last year. Owen, I was lucky enough to be allocated two tickets through the ballot to attend Anzac ceremonies at Gallipoli next year. Really looking forward to it!
Another good turnout at the Berlin ANZAC Day, with a nice Sunny Day. I was again fortunate to be invited to the NZ Ambasadors Residence for a "Gunfire Breakfast" Prior to the Ceremony and Wreath laying. I was not able to take photographs and I am reliant on receiving some later from friends, where I will get them posted onto our RBL Branch Website and post the link. Regards Tom
Whilst this is a WW1 subject the Memorial day is Held on the 25th April every year by both Australian and New Zealand. If any members are in the Berlin Brandenburg area on the 25th April, this years Special Commemoration Ceremony is being Held at Stahnsdorf CWGC Cemetery in the South West of Berlin. Normally the Commemorations in Berlin were Held at Heerstrasse CWGC Cemetery, but due to Research by the Australian Embassy they found that three Soldiers who landed at Gallipoli (ANZAC Bay) are buried at Stahnsdorf. I was informed that the reason for this was that all three were wounded and later sent to the Western Front, where they became POW`s and died in capivity. The Service will start early at 0900 hrs and the Full Berlin Bundeswehr Wache Battalion Band will be in attendance. I am also informed that there will be twow Wache Battalion Guards on duty at each side of the Stone of Remembrance during the Service. Regards Tom
As well as Berlin, it's worth giving a mention to Bury, Lancashire (bear with me!). They have a service in the town every April 25th to commemorate the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers' action at Lancashire Landing ("W" beach) at Gallipoli - the famous "Six VCs Before Breakfast". This year will be a big one. There's also a new VC exhibition being opened at The Fusiliers Museum situated in the former barracks of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
good day smudger,jnr,today.09:19.am.re:anzac day.25th april 2015.100 years on.hope you have a great day.regards bernard85
Just seen this on BBC Breakfast about the medals being displayed at the Fusiliers Museum in Bury. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-32451276 Missing Lancashire Fusiliers Gallipoli Victoria Cross presented to Museum http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-32215074
I have just arrived home from a very nice Memorial Service at Stahnsdorf CWGC South west of Berlin. The Sun was shining and a very well conducted 100 year Anniversary Service was commenced shortly after the official 0900 hrs start, due to late arrivals. It was difficult to take phoographs during the Service so I contented myself with taking a few before and after to provide a taste of the occassion. Both the Australian and New Zealand Ambassadors thanked the RBL for their Support and the carrying of the Colours for both Australia and New Zealand. The first photo is the Military Attache at the Australian Embassy in Berlin. The second Photograph Shows two of our Berlin Branch members who had Wreaths to lay at the end of the Ceremony on behalf of the Bundeswehr Reserves and a French Veterans Organization. The last photo is the New Military Attache at the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Embassy in Berlin and is the New President of the RBL Berlin Branch. I should receive more photographs from members who were better place to take photos during the ceremony and I will post them as and when I receive them. I also hope that our other members attending ANZAC Day Commemorations elsewhere in the World enjoyed as good a weather as we here in Berlin. Regards Tom
Great photos Tom. Lucky with the weather. We had rain and chilly conditions in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance however over 80,000+ braced the elements for this historic remembrance. One of the local Army Barracks about 12kms out of Melbourne had to close the gates there were so many people. Cheers Geoff
Did anybody else catch this on the BBC sports section? It is written by Ben Foden the Northampton Saints Full Back about Blair Swannell Saints / England / Australian rugby player who died at Gallipoli http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-32414533
I attended the Gallipoli centenary at the cenotaph as part of the descendents contingency, was a lovely service
Just a few mobile camera photographs that I managed to take both before and after the service. A cold 2oC but thankfully the rain held off until after the ceremony. Several visiting Australians and NewZealanders attended the ceremony. Berlin RBL Branch was asked if we could carry both the NewZealand and Australian Standards, which we gladly accepted and one of our Standard Bearers was born in Australia, so naturally he carried the Australian Standard. Regards Tom
Thank you our man in Berlin. Tom always good, and interesting, to see such events and tha they continue to be well supported. Brian
