Today, 25 April 2015, marked the 100th anniversary of the historical event whereupon the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, Turkey. Falkor’s crew and visiting science party took time in the morning to commemorate the selfless heroism of the troops that sacrificed their lives so that, not only Australians and New Zealanders, but the other countries involved in the Great War could live in a world where their conflicts were resolved for all that is best in human relationships. As all war conflicts did not end after the Great War, Australians take ANZAC day as an opportunity to reflect on all the diggers who lost their lives in succeeding wars. It was truly inspiring taking part in the dawn service this morning, as we came together with a range of nationalities – Australia, USA, Canada, Germany, UK, Netherlands…to name a few.
Dawn service
Captain Bernd Buchner, Taigh MacManus, Greg Ivey, and Richard Brinkman stood front and centre to address the ceremony. Captain Bernd’s speech highlighted that “today becomes a symbol of peace and reconciliation for all crew on board in the tradition which was laid down by Australians and the Turkish after the First World War.” Taigh, one of Falkor’s crew members, read a poem from General Kemal Ataturk, former Commanding Officer of the Turkish troops at Gallipoli that embraces the Memorial at ANZAC cove. He also read The Ode, a poem that comes from For the Fallen, which is dedicated to the Great War. The poems were followed by a dedication speech delivered by Chief Scientist Greg Ivey.
After the ceremony, a great tradition of eating ANZAC biscuits was carried out over coffee and tea. ANZAC biscuits remain a delicious treat for Australians and New Zealanders after they became popular when wives and mothers would send them to the troops because they didn’t spoil easily during naval transportation. Later on, the science party started shallow water mooring recovery and preliminary data processing while reflecting on the significance of this day. Lest we forget.
– Written by: Captain Bernd Buchner, Richard Brinkman and David Spencer
Ataturk’s poem
“Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives.
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours,
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well”.
The Ode
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
