HUMANITIES
Lilydale Cenotaph
Monday 25 July - Excursion
On the night of 25 July 1915, William John Hawkey, was killed during the Battle of Pozieres. One hundred years later, the Humanities Captains and 907 from Lilydale High School were present at the Lilydale Cenotaph to commemorate his loss.
William was born in Yering and grew up in John Street, Lilydale. When the war first started in 1914, he tried to enlist but was knocked back due to his height of five feet three inches. After the many casualties at Gallipoli throughout 1915, the authorities were less caring of height and he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in 1915.
Training with the 8th Battalion in Broadmeadows, he eventually embarked on September 23, 1915. After time encamped in Egypt, he eventually was moved to the Somme Valley in France, arriving in May 1916.
The first major battle the 8th was involved in was at Pozieres on 23 July. William, in C Company, was moving up the road between 10 and 11pm when the Germans started shelling the road. William was killed instantly when a shell landed on him, and 12 others were wounded. His remains lie at the Pozieres British Cemetery in France.
Lest We Forget.
Student remarks
Courtney: I thought today was a good experience as we learnt about the soldiers and we got to commemorate those who fought for our country.
Matt: William Hawkey will always be remembered.
Matt D: I was very surprised that someone from Lilydale was so inspirational.
Darcy: It was a good experience and I felt honoured that I got to go and hear about his story.
Jay: It was a good experience. It was interesting to know about soldier’s recounts of the war. It was also very shocking and terrible to know about the amount of soldiers that gave their lives for our country. Also incredibly sad that so many died in such little time.
Brooke: Today it was really nice to remember people who served our country. It’s very sad that so many died.
Olivia: It was nice to commemorate not only William Hawkey, but every soldier who risked their life for us in the Battle at Pozieres.
Alyssa: Today was very moving. I was glad to be informed of these kinds of things, as I’ve never experienced anything closely related to war stories like this. I was very emotional.
Beth: It really opened my eyes about how many made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Humanities Captains
On Monday 25 July, we had the honor of attending a commemorative ceremony at the Lilydale Centograph for William Hawkey, a soldier from Lilydale who was killed in war 100 years ago.
This amazing ceremony included listening to a speech outlining William's history and background, spoken by Tony Smith MP and Don Parsons, President of the Lilydale RSL.
This was then followed by a wreath laying by William Hawkey's great nephew. This was an amazing opportunity and we were proud to be included.
Emma Nippers and Madison Forssman
Vietnam Veterans' 50th Anniversary Commemoration Excursion
Thursday 18 August
Shrine of Remembrance
The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest military engagement of the 20th century. Almost 60,000 Australians fought in the war and more than 500 lost their lives. Originally known as Long Tan Day, Vietnam Veterans Day is commemorated on 18 August every year.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, where 108 brave young men from D Company 6RAR resisted an attack of 1,500–2,500 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. It would become one of the most extraordinary chapters in Australia’s military history.
On behalf of Lilydale High School, student representatives will lay a wreath to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the veteran community.
Students from all year levels are invited to participate in the commemorative ceremony on Thursday 18 August. Parent consent is due on COMPASS by 13 August.
Students are encouraged to honour their relatives by wearing their medals on their right hand side (veterans wear their medals on the left).
Kristy Mays
VCE Humanities Teacher