President’s Message
Vice President James Maberly’s thought provoking article about Remembrance Day in his UK village is an excellent account of how Remembrance Day is perceived by some of the younger generation in the UK. I wonder if the same perception exists here – frustration with the very divisive conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the threat of any action that might happen in the South China Sea. It was interesting to watch the ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and to note the large crowd in attendance. What struck me most was that people of all ages were there, hopefully an indication that all generations still acknowledge sacrifice and service, whether it was in 1914, 1944, 1964 or 2001.
How does that impact on the Foundation? Will it affect donations to an organisation born from the war time actions of a highly successful Australian General who made his mark in more areas than the battles of the Sinai and Palestine in World War I?
I hope that it doesn’t! Why? Because the Foundation celebrates the very broad range of Sir Harry’s character, from decisive leadership in battle to his humanitarian concern for veterans and their families between the wars. That is what we are striving to push. Hopefully an ambition that appeals to donors.
Honor’s article on the various Trails highlights the great work she, Mark, John Boyce and Tony Stevens have done for the General Chauvel Light Horse Trail. While juggling and coordinating with other interest groups is not always easy, The Foundation is making very good progress. The brochure produced by Tony is excellent and well worth a read.
As 2024 draws to a close I would like to thank the Executive Committee for their work and dedication. Finding volunteers is never easy and the Foundation is blessed with a dedicated and committed team.
On behalf of the Chauvel Foundation, my very best wishes for a happy and holy Christmas 2024 and for a prosperous 2025.
Yours aye,
Rob
Remembrance Day – and why the wearing of poppies has become contentious
By James Maberly
I live in a small village in England and as an ex-army officer, on Sunday 10th November, I read out the roll of honour for all those from our small village who had died in the two world wars. Whilst attending, I also wore my small badge representing General Sir Harry Chauvel’s pennant of a white cross on a red background, in remembrance of him and his soldiers.
The event was not attended by as many as in previous years. I began to ask myself why that was? I noticed an article in the Daily Telegraph the next day which commented on why so few poppies were selling this year and why even less people were wearing them. The writer felt that the two conflicts that have dominated the press over the last few years in Ukraine and the Middle East have affected people’s willingness to acknowledge or participate, as they feel in some way it supports the awfulness of conflict. My daughter also explained that as there is such frustration and anger amongst the young about the conflict in Gaza, they had no desire to associate themselves with the honouring of those who have died in war as again, they believe it supports the acceptance and horror of conflict. For some it also speaks of our colonial past and the oppression of others.
There are those who now choose to wear a white poppy, which they say symbolises not only those who died in conflict, but also those many hundreds of thousands of civilians who become the victims of war, often far outweighing the numbers of soldiers killed. White is also recognised by many as the symbol of purity and peace.
It is clearly a challenging time for many. I wonder whether this next year will bring an end to these two conflicts? We shall see.
I felt though that it would be pertinent to reflect on the victims of war from the perspective of General Sir Harry. He took his role as a soldier and leader very seriously. He was on the Allied side of the conflict in World War 1, but he also recognised that all those fighting against them were also soldiers, with loved ones at home and many probably who had been conscripted to fight by their national leaders. He made it clear that all prisoners taken were soldiers like them and should be treated as such. Those whom they were unable to move or assist who were badly injured should be given water and made comfortable.
It speaks of a willingness to see the whole picture, not just a partisan perspective. For example, whilst we know that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have died so far, and reportedly, so have over 500,000 Russians, perhaps fighting a war that they had no intention of being involved in. Their families will be feeling the same loss and pain that all do who lose loved ones in combat.
War and conflict are awful, but it is good to remember those who have given their lives, as did those who fought in Sir Harry’s conflicts. It is a gesture of compassion, and one that I hope will re-ignite the thoughts of those who are currently abstaining.
Gathering on 11 October 2024 at the Albury Club
Rewarded with good book sales, commemorative artist George Petrou OAM delighted his audience with a captivating talk about his portraiture and book The Art of Sacrifice. George also mentioned his forthcoming book, The Art of Humanity to be published in February 2025.
George is including in his new book his portrait of General Sir Harry Chauvel, along with his portraits of Dr Isabel Ormiston OBE, Dame Jean Macnamara and many others. His talented likenesses are notable for revealing many facets of humanitarianism. Undoubtedly George would receive a very warm welcome back to Albury.
Honor spoke about the Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail as a heritage voice from the bush. She introduced Pat Leary, a distinguished endurance rider, and also Ross Smith from Tallangatta’s Sandy Foundation to talk about the forthcoming Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail Ride. The ride begins on 4 March (the 80th anniversary of Sir Harry’s death) at the memorial to Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier in Shepparton and finishes on 16 April (160th anniversary of Sir Harry’s birth) in Tallangatta.
Our thanks go to Mark Auchinleck for hosting the event and as MC, introducing the speakers. Our thanks also go to Albury Club Manager Dee Healey and his staff for their outstanding support in setting up what was a most enjoyable event.
Images from the gathering
Visit to Wagga Wagga Rotary Club
A few days later on 17 October Mark and Honor were warmly welcomed at the Wagga Wagga Rotary Club where Honor was invited to introduce Chauvel Foundation Ambassador Dr Anne Flood. Anne presented her proposed Riverina Military Trail and stories of some of the men who had served their country to a most appreciative audience.
Other guests at the Wagga Wagga Rotary Club meeting included serving and retired members servicemen, local business and local government representatives and representatives from Pro Patria and the Defence Shed.
Pro Patria focuses on ‘developing self-agency in veteran, first responder and their families to manage wellbeing’. The Defence Shed is part of the Australian Defence and Emergency Services Shed Association and has been operating since mid-2019. It offers courses in welding, First Aid, IT, woodwork and gardening and focuses on wellbeing in service families in the Riverina.
Towong Soldiers’ Memorial Hall Reopening
The Towong Soldiers’ Memorial Hall was reopened with Korean War veteran David Christie cutting the ribbon in a simple ceremony on 26 October 2024. The generous grant from the Border Trust’s Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief made the restoration of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall possible
During the Summer 2020 Bushfires, the Hall became the community communications centre and a donation and distribution centre. Sue Gold, Border Trust CEO, delighted community residents with her tribute to the community spirit. Australian Light Horse Association member Keith Sheather and his horse Clancy from Adelong brought the spirit of the Light Horse to the community. 4/19 PWLH kindly provided a special reconnaissance vehicle and three crew members from Latchford Barracks in Albury for the occasion.
South Australia Celebrated 60 years of M113 service
The South Australian Mounted Rifles Association (SAMRA) commemorated 60 years of service for the M113 APC in the Australian Army. These armoured vehicles were the “workhorses” of the Australian Army during the Vietnam War and for decades afterwards, including with Army Reserve units.
To mark the occasion, SAMRA hosted an event on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, at Keswick Barracks in Adelaide.
Attendees met at the Army Museum of SA and viewed the M113 on display and looked through the museum, then adjourned to the Officers Mess for a sausage sizzle, drinks and sharing stories. Visit samrainc.org.
The Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail
Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail brochures have been distributed to Visitor Information Centres at Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Corryong, Tallangatta and Albury.
The Chauvel Foundation wishes to thank the following organisations for generously supporting the Chauvel Border
Light Horse Trail:
- Corryong Rotary Club
- The Man from Snowy River
- Tourism Association
- Sandy The War Horse Committee, Tallangatta
- Shepparton RSL
Other organisations have kindly provided letters of support for the Foundation’s forthcoming grant applications. To date the design and printing of the Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail has been funded by donations which have enabled the launching of the project. We now need to consider the sustainability of the project and support for the creation of other Light Horse Trails, such as Dr Anne Flood’s Riverina Military Trail.
Presentation at the Broadford RSL Remembrance Dinner
The Chauvel Foundation has attracted veterans with a wide variety of military experience. In his Remembrance Day Presentation Colonel Mark Auchinleck gave a detailed description of the work carried out by liaison officers serving in the British Commanders’-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany (BRIXMIS). Unsurprisingly those who served in BRIXMIS are now referred to as the Cold War Spies who collected some of the military intelligence to maintain the necessary advance warning to keep Western Europe safe from Soviet invasion.
Light Horse Remembered
It’s now 110 years since Australian Light Horse units mustered to answer the call to arms upon the outbreak of the Great War in 1914.
On 11th August this year, the 4th Light Horse Regiment Memorial Association held a special commemorative event at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. Guest speakers included regimental historian Dr David Holloway OAM, Murray Thompson OAM and Dr Sharman Stone OAM.
Many of those attending were direct descendants of Light Horsemen from the original regiment. Their Association claims to be the oldest continuous such organisation – it traces their origins to 1919 when former Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel J.K. ’Dad” Forsyth urged the returned troopers to “look after one another” – the troops resolved to keep it going “until the last survivor”.
In fact, after the passing of the last old soldier in 1989, the Regimental Association then simply opted to become a Memorial Association and continued as before! Today, the descendants, friends and supporters continue its proud tradition with gatherings on unit anniversaries and some march in memory on Anzac Day.
