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OUR PURPOSE
Our primary purpose in this book is to examine the role of local
Redhead soldiers in World War 1. In achieving this analysis we will
identify the resources, for such a study, particularly those that are
associated with the Australian War Memorial.
In examining the above purposes we may alter the constant theme in
Australian history; our understanding of the “ANZAC Legend”.
To begin this process we will look at two views of the “ANZAC
legend” from the perspective of a student and a teacher.
Sophie Russell,
the 2016 Redhead School Captain in her fine 2015
Anzac
Day
Competition Winning essay on page 16 demonstrates the awareness
of the sense of comradeship caused by adversity of the Gallipoli ‘failure’,
and the more horrific struggles on the Western Front.
Whilst Sophie concentrates rightly on explaining her idea regarding the
ANZAC legend with regards to the landings at Gallipoli on 15th April
1915, I will later try to demonstrate how the battlefields of Northern
France and Belgium further strengthened that spirit through the effects of
even much greater losses.
At this point we should also commemorate and recognize the very similar
great losses suffered by the “NZ” in ANZAC; New Zealand.
“Lest we not forget” the unacceptable losses of all countries, including
Germany and the Ottoman Empire - modern Turkey.
The empathy Sophie displays in her essay bodes well for the maintenance
of the ANZAC tradition in the hands and minds of our youth. Not only
does Sophie understand the benefits of mate-ship but also the human
waste involved in all war.
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