Frank MacDonald MM

Memorial Prize
Question One:
Every year since 1916, Australians have commemorated the first day of the
landings at Gallipoli - 25 April.
How relevant is the national significance of ANZAC Day nearly 100 years on?
Why was this event considered so important and so powerful that it has
endured beyond the lifetime of any person who was there at the time?

Image 1, Pozires, France

Olivia Toohey
Calvin Christian Secondary School
Word count: 1158

Every year since 1916, Australians have commemorated the first day of the landings at
Gallipoli - 25 April. How relevant is the national significance of ANZAC Day nearly 100
years on? Why was this event considered so important and so powerful that it has
endured beyond the lifetime of any person who was there at the time?

Throughout my research into the Anzac legend, one term that has become most
prominent is mateship. This is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as Companionship or
friendship1. Mateship is the one word that can be used to express the relevance of
ANZAC Day and the true meaning of the Anzac legend. As stated in 2006 by, RSL National
President, Major General Bill Crews, Mateship is at the heart of what we refer to as the
Anzac values: it drives loyalty, courage, endurance and sacrifice. It is a compelling reason for
most acts of heroism, and the suffering so often experienced by our servicemen and
women: for not letting down the team is a powerful motivator in our nations psyche. 2 I
have learnt that ANZAC Day is a time to commemorate this quality of the Anzac legend.
This day is not only used to remember the lives lost throughout the war, but also a day to
remind ourselves to keep the quality of mateship embedded within the Australian nation.

The national significance of ANZAC Day, almost 100 years on, still continues to be
relevant due to the Anzac legend. ANZAC began in 1914 as the acronym for Australian and
New Zealand Army Corps, but soon developed into the characteristics of the ANZACs

Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014). mateship: definition of mateship in Oxford dictionary (British & World
English). [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mateship [Accessed 1
Sep. 2014].
2
Awm.gov.au, (2014). Anzac Day 2006 National Ceremony Commemorative Address | Australian War
Memorial. [online] Available at: http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/2006_speech_crews/
[Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Olivia Toohey

themselves. This term comes from the Gallipoli campaign 25th April, 1915 ending with an
evacuation of troops on the 20th December 1915. ANZAC qualities are said to be
characteristics of Australian soldiers. These include perseverance, bravery, mateship and
good humour. The creator and supporter of the Anzac legend was Australias official war
correspondent, Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean. No one liked shell fire, but public opinion
demanded that, whatever men felt, not by the flicker of an eyelid must they show it.That
careless, easy manner and apparent indifference to shell fire marked the Australians on
every battlefield.3 Beans descriptions about the ANZACs spread throughout the world
giving hope to Australian families and high expectations to the remaining allies. Bean was
accused of bias; he would exaggerate the slight accomplishments and lessen the major
loses. Despite his exaggerations some soldiers managed to live up to the expectations of
the Anzac legend. Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts, was a young Tasmanian soldier who
died at the age of 24, after serving in Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front, in the battle
of Pozires, during which he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Margetts fought
gallantly and embodied the qualities of the Anzac legend. He was loved by those who
served with him and was dearly missed after his passing. Private G. A. McKenzie who was
associated with Margetts Company wrote, I cried like a kid when I found he was dead. I
think he went because he was too good for the beastliness of war4 McKenzie also wrote
a personal letter home to Margetts parents telling them the details of his death and
sharing in their sadness. He was the most popular man in the Batt and he never done a
bad turn to anyone since we left Hobart Shore. It is the worst shock the 12th Batt has had

Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 19141918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook] Available
at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30 Aug. 2014].
4
Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.

Olivia Toohey

since the war started. Anyone would of gave their life for to save his little toe5 These
examples of mateship show the true meaning of the Anzac legend. Although legend,
qualities of soldiers like Margetts and McKenzie could contradict this belief. These assets
were also noted in Beans Official History of Australia in the War of 19141918. the
feeling of mateship was intensely strong in the Australian soldiers. When they were
plunged into their first action, there was invariably in these men a desire to show their
mates that they more than shared their danger.6 Through these men the Anzac legend
continues, true or false, and is the reason it is still relevant that Australians
commemorate their lives, 100 years on.

The actions of the ANZACs at Gallipoli during 1915 are arguably considered so important
and powerful that they have lasted 100 years. When considering the soldiers at Gallipoli
the significance has little to do with the battle in itself. The Gallipoli campaign was aimed
at capturing the coast of Turkey, at the time held by the Ottoman Empire, supporting
Germany and Austro-Hungary. In reality the campaign was a horrific and unfortunate
massacre in which over 8,000 lives were lost and no real gain was achieved. After
surviving his first day at Gallipoli, Private Frank Brent from the Australian 2nd Brigade
wrote in his diary, On the first day, we were just mixed up and running about like a lot of
rabbits nobody could see who was who or what was what. And it was then for the first
time we realised what the taking of Anzac Ridge had cost, because hardly any of our mates
were left.7 The powerful part of Gallipoli that has retained for so long is how it shaped
5

Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.
Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 19141918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook] Available
at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30 Aug. 2014].
7
Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.
6

Olivia Toohey

Australia as a nation. In a way it was Australias coming of age or debut. It was a means
for Australia to demonstrate to the world how strong they could perform as a newly
formed nation, laying the foundations for the reputation of mateship for which Australia
is known. In his ANZAC Day speech, author Les Carlyon stated, We, as a nation, could
have talked about these events in France and Belgium, but mostly we didnt, and still dont.
Gallipoli is the campaign that goes past the brain and wriggles into the heart. Gallipoli is
part of the national mythology and mythology is seldom objective In Australia, Gallipoli is
a state of mind, a place in the heart, and the stuff of warm inner glows for those of us
who were lucky enough not to have been there8 For Australians the most memorable
time during the eight months of gruelling warfare was the very first moments. On the
dawn of the 25th April 1915, the first boats of the landing party were set to embark upon
the shores of Gallipoli. It was pitch dark then all of a sudden the coast, a dim outline of the
coast loomed up. As we got closer, we were all beginning to get tensed up, nervous,
wondering what was going to happen as everything was so quiet.9 Over 20,000 men from
both Australia and New Zealand were participating; four battalions in total all part of the
First Australian Division. They were faced with an unknown and overwhelming situation
for which they were not prepared. What is most prominent throughout the process of
this landing is the way in which the Australian soldiers demonstrated perseverance. Once
Gallipoli was over, no one wished to recall the blood loss and lives ruined instead it was
easier to reminisce of the ANZACs in their most honourable moments. This is what
Australians take pride in to this day and why Gallipoli can be seen as so significant.

People of the Great War: Shaping the Modern World. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at:
http://archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Additional_Resources_Activity_2_Shaping_National_Identities.pdf
[Accessed 31 Aug. 2014].
9
Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

Olivia Toohey

Although Gallipoli can be seen as a significant campaign, it can be argued that other
battles were of equal importance. The 1916 Battle of Pozires is arguably a greater
example of Australian sacrifice as noted by Scott Bennett, Gallipoli symbolised the
nations coming of age, while Pozieres exposed the darker, uglier side of war.10 Pozires
was crucial in the Battle of the Somme and the first point at which the Australians were
involved on the Western Front. The aim of the Battle of the Somme was to capture the
high points situated throughout the Western Front. One of these high points was
Pozires; a town located on small hill, therefore prized territory held by the Germans. The
Battle of Pozires Ridge was launched at 1:30 am, 23 July 1916. Correspondent John
Masefield stated its purpose, in the book Pozires, The ANZAC Story. The tactical aim of
the Australians was to drive the enemy off the high land. The tactical aim of the enemy was
to shell the Australians off it.11 Although the village of Pozires was obtained in one hour,
capturing the Pozires Ridge took two weeks of solid fighting, completed on the 4th
August 1916. The events that occurred during these days are described throughout
diaries and letters written by distraught soldiers who fought through the Battle of
Pozires. We beat Fritz, beat him easy, he would not stand up and fight like a man, but
fled before us, and then- turned and tore us to pieces with his artillery. Nearly all my mates
are gone.12 The Australian soldiers fighting in the Somme were given the utmost
responsibly of capturing Pozires and because of this, encountered the greatest amount
of loss. In turn the Battle of Pozires strengthened the legend of the ANZAC and became

10

Bennett .
. o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications.
Bennett, S. (2011). o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications.
12
Trove.nla.gov.au, (2014). 30 Mar 1917 - The Battle of Pozleres FORMER JERILDERIE BOY'S E.... [online]
Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134452132 [Accessed 29 Aug. 2014].
11

Olivia Toohey

a well-known date in The Great War. Noted by Sir Douglas Haig, The capture of Pozieres
by the Australians will live in history.13 There are major differences between the Gallipoli
campaign and the Battle of Pozieres Ridge, If Gallipoli signified Australias debut on the
world stage, Pozieres laid bare the consequences of a small nation, still uncertain of its
identity, participating in an international war.14 While Gallipoli was tedious with just over
8,000 casualties, Pozires was only seven weeks and included a total of more than
23,000 casualties. Gallipolis significance is the creation of the Anzac legend, whilst
Pozires is most telling due to the sheer loss made by Australian forces.

For 98 years ANZAC Day has been commemorated by Australians. ANZAC Day has
developed through many generations. It has become apparent to me through my
research, that although different, each generation recognises ANZAC Day as a time to
inform younger generations and share in remembering with the older. As stated in 1972
by Prime Minister McMahon, We are here to honour those who died in war and to
commemorate-Anzac Day, one of the notable anniversaries in our history It is my hope
that the younger generation, as it grows to manhood, will not forget what my generation so
well remembers We loathe war: Its brutality, its tragedy and its waste. But we also
cherish our inheritance, freedom and liberty.15 Whilst standing in the footsteps of the
fallen soldiers, Prime Minister Julia Gillard emphasised in her ANZAC Day speech, we do
today what those who left these shores most dearly hoped: We come back To give the
best and only gift that can matter anymore our remembrance. We remember what the
13

Bennett .
. o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications.
Bennett .
. o i res. st ed. Carlton orth ic. cribe ublications.
15
Pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au, (2014). ANZAC OPEN AIR SERVICE - CONCOR NSW - 23 APRIL 1972 - SPEECH
BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIAM MCMAHON CH MP. [online] Available at:
http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=2568 [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].
14

Olivia Toohey

Anzacs did in war. And for what they did to shape our nation in peace This is the legend of
Anzac, and it belongs to every Australian.16 Comparing two speeches made in
commemoration of ANZAC Day, 40 years apart, the similarities are displayed. It is
because of these needs to teach and reminisce, formed because of the Anzac legend,
that 100 years on ANZAC Day continues to be commemorated.

16

'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, T. (2012). 'A place shining with honour': PM honours
Diggers, Turks and the mates they left behind. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald. Available at:
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/a-place-shining-with-honour-pm-honours-diggers-turks-and-themates-they-left-behind-20120425-1xkok.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Olivia Toohey

Image 4

Image 2

Olivia Toohey
Image 3

Bibliography

Websites
'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, T. (2012). 'A place shining with honour': PM
honours Diggers, Turks and the mates they left behind. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald.
Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/a-place-shining-with-honour-pm-honoursdiggers-turks-and-the-mates-they-left-behind-20120425-1xkok.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Aif.adfa.edu.au, (2014). Details. [online] Available at:

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=187306 [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Anzacsite.gov.au, (2014). Gallipoli and the Anzacs | Gallipoli tour - Historical Background - Gallipoli,
25 April 1915 8 January 1916. [online] Available at:
http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/2visiting/tgallipoli.html [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

Awm.gov.au, (2014). Anzac Day 2006 National Ceremony Commemorative Address | Australian
War Memorial. [online] Available at:
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/2006_speech_crews/ [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 19141918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook]
Available at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30
Aug. 2014].

Bennett .

. o i res. st ed. Carlton orth

ic. cribe ublications.

Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.

Firstworldwar.com, (2009). First World War.com - Battles - The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, 1916.
[online] Available at: http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/pozieres.htm [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014). mateship: definition of mateship in Oxford dictionary (British &

World English). [online] Available at:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mateship [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Olivia Toohey

10

People of the Great War: Shaping the Modern World. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at:
http://archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Additional_Resources_Activity_2_Shaping_National_Identit
ies.pdf [Accessed 31 Aug. 2014].

Pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au, (2014). ANZAC OPEN AIR SERVICE - CONCOR NSW - 23 APRIL 1972 SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIAM MCMAHON CH MP. [online] Available
at: http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=2568 [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

TheAustralian, (2014). Man of war who helped create Anzac legend. [online] Available at:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/man-of-war-who-helped-create-anzac-legend/storye6frg6zo-1225948197637?nk=f18a5fb024add2cb627bd3283276223a [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Trove.nla.gov.au, (2014). 30 Mar 1917 - The Battle of Pozleres FORMER JERILDERIE BOY'S E....
[online] Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134452132 [Accessed 29 Aug. 2014].

Ww1westernfront.gov.au, (2014). Charles Bean at Pozires | Visiting the 1st Australian Division
Memorial | 1st Australian Division Memorial, Pozires | Australians on the Western Front 19141918. [online] Available at: http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-australianmemorial/visiting-pozieres/charles-bean-at-pozieres.php [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Books and PDFs

'A place shining with honour': PM honours Diggers, T. (2012). 'A place shining with honour': PM
honours Diggers, Turks and the mates they left behind. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald.
Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/a-place-shining-with-honour-pm-honoursdiggers-turks-and-the-mates-they-left-behind-20120425-1xkok.html [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Aif.adfa.edu.au, (2014). Details. [online] Available at:

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=187306 [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Anzacsite.gov.au, (2014). Gallipoli and the Anzacs | Gallipoli tour - Historical Background - Gallipoli,
25 April 1915 8 January 1916. [online] Available at:
http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/2visiting/tgallipoli.html [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Arthur, M. (2002). Forgotten voices of the Great War. 1st ed. London: Ebury.

Olivia Toohey

11
Awm.gov.au, (2014). Anzac Day 2006 National Ceremony Commemorative Address | Australian
War Memorial. [online] Available at:
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/2006_speech_crews/ [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

Bean, C. (1941). Official History of Australia in the War of 19141918 Volume III. 12th ed. [ebook]
Available at: http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069981--1-.PDF [Accessed 30
Aug. 2014].

Bennett .

. o i res. st ed. Carlton orth, Vic.: Scribe Publications.

Carlyon, L. (2006). The Great War. 1st ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd.

Firstworldwar.com, (2009). First World War.com - Battles - The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, 1916.
[online] Available at: http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/pozieres.htm [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014). mateship: definition of mateship in Oxford dictionary (British &

World English). [online] Available at:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mateship [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

People of the Great War: Shaping the Modern World. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at:
http://archive.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Additional_Resources_Activity_2_Shaping_National_Identit
ies.pdf [Accessed 31 Aug. 2014].

Pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au, (2014). ANZAC OPEN AIR SERVICE - CONCOR NSW - 23 APRIL 1972 SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIAM MCMAHON CH MP. [online] Available
at: http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=2568 [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].

TheAustralian, (2014). Man of war who helped create Anzac legend. [online] Available at:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/man-of-war-who-helped-create-anzac-legend/storye6frg6zo-1225948197637?nk=f18a5fb024add2cb627bd3283276223a [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Trove.nla.gov.au, (2014). 30 Mar 1917 - The Battle of Pozleres FORMER JERILDERIE BOY'S E....
[online] Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134452132 [Accessed 29 Aug. 2014].

Ww1westernfront.gov.au, (2014). Charles Bean at Pozires | Visiting the 1st Australian Division
Memorial | 1st Australian Division Memorial, Pozires | Australians on the Western Front 1914-

Olivia Toohey

12
1918. [online] Available at: http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-australianmemorial/visiting-pozieres/charles-bean-at-pozieres.php [Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Photographs
Image 1:
The lost grave of Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts destroyed after German bombing.
Awm.gov.au, (2014). Anzac Day 2006 National Ceremony Commemorative Address | Australian
War Memorial. [online] Available at:
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/2006_speech_crews/ [Accessed 1 Sep. 2014].
Image 2 and 3:
The memorial plaque of Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts, Tasmanian Soldiers Walk, photographs
taken by Olivia Toohey.
Image 4:
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France, of the 12th Infantry Battalion, Captain Ivor Stephen
Margetts.
Findagrave.com, (2014). Captain Ivor Stephen Margetts (1891 - 1916) - Find A Grave Memorial.
[online] Available at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16185465
[Accessed 2 Sep. 2014].

Olivia Toohey