The band played waltzing matilda‏

[gray_marian]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK6rZ--DhZM

[Bill Morrison]

The original composed by Eric Bogle who hailed from the Scottish boarders before emigrating to Aussie. He received some honour for this in Australia a few years ago. I have his C.D. Eric Bogle__ By Request. It also contains No Mans Land, some times known as The Green Fields of France which he also composed

[gray_marian]

#2, A favourite of mine too Bill

Eric Bogle : The band played "Waltzing Matilda" - YouTube

Eric Bogle : The band played "Waltzing Matilda" - YouTube

[Keith at Tregenna]

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_th...ltzing_Matilda

[Richard Quartermaine]

I have just caught up with this post and so appreciate the gesture.
M's uncle Jack was there, the grandson of Irish immigrant parents who thankfully came through in one piece. Jack lived with her family. A bachelor, whose beloved drowned when a Sydney ferry capsized, and remained so. He became a crime reporter for a Sydney newspaper, was fully involved in the Returned Soldiers League and the establishment of RSL newspaper 'Reveille'. Here are some photos of Uncle Jack; a good man, a lucky man, well loved. Richard

[Richard Quartermaine]

Got a feeling that Uncle Jack is in Trafalgar Square. Maybe it is Sydney.
R

[happy daze john in oz]

Most appropriate just now with the 100 year celebrations going on in France. So many Australian lost their lives in the two conflicts there and on one day over 2500 dead with thousands injured. Sent there as a decoy in the hope thye would distract the German army away from the main front. Total failure engineered by the British Army with the assistance of Churchill.

[Evan Lewis]

Most appropriate just now with the 100 year celebrations going on in France. So many Australian lost their lives in the two conflicts there and on one day over 2500 dead with thousands injured. Sent there as a decoy in the hope thye would distract the German army away from the main front. Total failure engineered by the British Army with the assistance of Churchill.

For the record John.

Until 1901, the official Australia , residents .excepting the Aborigines,were British citizens.

Having also always being a convenient .along with New Zealand ,place to "jump Ship. Hundreds of former seamen included whom ,after varying periods in these countries,for varying reasons ,when War, was declared. "Rallied to the cause "
If in any doubt, take a look at the names, on your nearest W W 1.Memorial

Of the remainder ,they were either born in Britain ,or if not, almost surely the Parents or Grandparents were.
Also ,Which Churchill
are you referring to in your statement? Winston or Randolph?
One thing .One Can't change ,is your Birthright.
Good onya Cobber!

[happy daze john in oz]

You are correct Evan, they were still classified as English at the time of WW1 when Winston was there.

Many now of course forget, when it suits and they want to change the flag, this fact. But there are still enough who will say that man died under that flag and it should not be changed.

Changing the flag will not change history though many think it will. Many of the Australians alive today only exist because their fore bearers came from England.

[Captain Kong]

I will never forget when taking 3,000 Australian troops, 2 RAR, to the war in Malaya, August 1955, sailing from Woolloomooloo, Sydney.
The bands on the quay playing `Waltzing Matilda` thousands of people cheering as they marched up the gangway.
and as we sailed down Sydney Harbour all the Ferries full of people, mostly Sheila's screaming good bye to them and the loud speakers on the Ferries blasting out `Waltzing Matilda` as they sailed alongside to outside the Heads.
I was walking forward along the prom deck when I saw a young Soldier weeping in a corner. I stopped and put my arms round his shoulder and said "What's up Mate", he cried on my shoulder wetting my shirt, "I did Korea but I am not coming home from this one,"
"You`ll be OK " I said, and stood there holding him for about ten minutes or so. I was nearly in tears myself by then. A strange encounter for a 20 year old Sailor.
I always wondered if he did survive.
Ten Soldiers would come into my cabin, they were only allowed four bottles of beer a day so we would get them pints of Wrexham Lager from the PIG and always had a good laugh with them.
Two years later I was in the pub in Brisbane when one of them walked in, It was great seeing him again. he then told me two of the ten had been killed in Malaya. sad.
So a good memory of 61 years ago.
Brian.