Anzac 2015

I personally disagree that relatives of those who earned the medals should wear them at all under any circumstances, whether it be on the right or wrong side, regardless of their age. We are all (normally) proud of our parents/grandparents etc but doesn't (or shouldn't) give them the right to wear 'their relatives medals' I've seen relatives who are a disgrace to their families sporting these medals/ribbons as if they had earned them themselves, I think it demeans the medal and those to whom it was awarded. Just my opinion.

#32... The population of Australia and NZ in those days was very small, I should imagine as the losses to population was a very large percentage per head of population. I think someone once told me that if you worked out the same way percentage wise of the British Merchant Navy their losses exceeded the armed forces, dont know if it was the three services or just one. i.e. Say the MN cosisted of 130000 members and say lost 40000would be just over 30 percent. The army had hundreds of thoussands of men ditto the other services and although they lost more men, their percentage losses were not that apparent. Dont know what the actual figures were. Australia in the 50"s think the population was probably about 10 million so was probably a dash sight less in 1915. Cheers John S

it has been reported that this was the ist real blooding of the aussies as there army in battle and they certainly paid the price.....with honour and bravery ....they are truly entitled to honour there own

#36... Richard better be careful of what you say to Cappy . Rumour has it that Pvt. Simpson (from South Shields ) the mule handler was Cappys bruvver and only way he could escape from Mary was to emigrate and join the Australian Expeditionary Force. Cheers John S

Leratty.
I thought the Boer war was the 'first blooding' though they were not under Aus command nor as I understand a Aus army per se?
.
There was a good film about the Australian troops in the Boer War, I think they were under the command of the British Army then. as Two men were Tried and Executed by Firing Squad.
"Breaker Morant."] believed to be a true story.
Cheers
Brian.

Will be happy once the 3,000 promised further Ushakov's are received. Am aware of the new cold war and Charles's update. but pursue from events then, what is due still, for them. K.

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Sorry missed in reply the point of the thread: April 25th 2015 will see the centenary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli a day to remember:

Every respect. K

While not wishing to drag this story about Anzac Day and Medals .My father in law was a ex NZ Gallipoli vet also two of my brother in laws saw service in the army in ww 2 and that was to get me interested in Anzac day and also when I joined the ex NZ POW it was a big day many years ago As for my medals I was not interested in them and it was only through our pow welfare officer who got on to me to apply for my medals and after a lot of paper work I got them . We was told that they were to be worn on the left side of coat

#40, Lou you are entitled to wear them with pride, continue to do so, you earned them.

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Originally Posted by Ivan Cloherty

I personally disagree that relatives of those who earned the medals should wear them at all under any circumstances, whether it be on the right or wrong side, regardless of their age. We are all (normally) proud of our parents/grandparents etc but doesn't (or shouldn't) give them the right to wear 'their relatives medals' I've seen relatives who are a disgrace to their families sporting these medals/ribbons as if they had earned them themselves, I think it demeans the medal and those to whom it was awarded. Just my opinion.

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I respect your opinion mate and can understand where you are coming from in regards to this issue. Just want to throw an alternative scenario into that thought. It is now common for those veterans to march wearing their medals and decorations on their left side plus also wearing the medals and decorations of either mates or family on their right hand side. What are your personal feeling on this practice as I personally find that it signifies true feelings towards their comrades. In a lot of cases they are honoring those who where unable to receive them themselves.

About this time last year I was in Liverpool for the Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and something happened to me that I think I will never forget .It happened while Capt Kong and partner and I was walking along the Pier Head and I was wearing my medals when a young girl and her mother came over to me and ask me would I mind what was the medals for ,I was taken in by such a young person interesting about things like that