ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS
Lilydale High School
Sunday April 25
Congratulations to Humanities Captains, Ella McLeod and Bec Clark and Year 12 student Taylah Tillotson, on representing Lilydale High School at the Lilydale RSL’s Dawn Service on Sunday April 25.
Ella read the poem “In Flanders Fields” an account by Canadian Lt.Col. John McCrae in response to the horrors he saw on the Western Front. Taylah read the poem “For England” by J.D. Burns: a local Lilydale boy who enlisted in the war and died on the battlefield at Gallipoli. And finally, Bec read the Anzac Requiem on behalf of the RSL.
If you would like to watch their readings, you can access them via Facebook on the Yarra Ranges Life TV page.
In Flanders Field
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
For England
The bugles of England were blowing o'er the sea
As the had called a thousand years, calling now to me
They woke me from dreaming in the dawning of the day
The bugles of England and how could I stay?
The banners of England, unfurled across the sea
Floating out upon the wind, were beckoning to me
Storm-rent and battle-torn, smoke-stained and grey
The banners of England and how could I stay?
O England! I heard the cry of those that died for thee
Sounding like an organ voice across the winter sea
They lived and died for England and gladly went their way
England! O England! How could I stay?
Anzac Requiem
On this day, above all days, we remember those Australian men and women who died or suffered in the great tragedy of war.
On the morning of April 25th, 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed under fire at Gallipoli, and it was then and in the violent campaign which followed, that the ANZAC tradition was forged. The elements of that tradition have inspired and offered an enduring example to later generations of Australians.
Each year we pay homage not only to those original ANZACs, but to all who died or were disabled in their service to this country. They enrich our nation’s history. Their hope was for the freedom of mankind and we remember with pride their courage, their compassion and their comradeship. They served on land and sea and in the air, in many places throughout the world.
Not only do we honour the memory of those Australians who have fallen in battle; we share the sorrow of those who have mourned them and of all who have been the victims of armed conflict.
On this day we remember with sympathy those Australians who have suffered as prisoners of war, and those who, because of war, have had their lives shortened or handicapped.
We recall staunch friends and allies, and especially those of the first ANZAC Day.
May we ....and our successors ..... prove worthy of their sacrifice.
Lest We Forget.
Ella McLeod - Thank you email
Hi Ms Powson and Ms Mays
I feel so honoured that I was able to read ‘In Flanders Fields’ on behalf of the school and I just wanted to email you both to thank you so much for the amazing opportunity to be apart of the ANZAC Day Lilydale Dawn Service.
It is an important day for me as my Great Great Grandpa Ebeneezer Lacey fought in WW1 in the battle of the Somme and was also positioned in the first ANZAC Railway and my Great Granddad, David Webster fought in WW2 and was captured in Singapore and was a prisoner of war. Both survived, and I appreciate their sacrifice so much because with out them, I wouldn’t be here today.
Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been so appreciative for all the soldiers who fought for our country and have always wanted to be able to honour them and show my appreciation for what they have done for us. Being able to be a part of this ceremony allowed me to do this.
Thank you again!
Ella McLeod
Kristy Mays | VCE Humanities Teacher