In Flanders' Fields...

"They shall grow not old

In June (28th) of 1914, the Arch-Duke Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. The Russians entered the argument in support of the Serbs, and Germany would back the Austrians. A month later, Australians learned from their Thursday morning papers that Austria had declared war on Serbia. On the same day, the Prime Minister received notification of the impending involvement of Britain in the conflict - "On the 30th of July, 1914, a cablegram in secret cipher from the British Government to the Government of Australia informed it that there was imminent danger of war." [The Story of ANZAC - , p. 1]

Two days later, they learned that Germany "was waiting for war" and had issued an ultimatum to the Russians. What this meant to Australians was that if war broke out, France would be required to come to the aid of her Russian allies against Germany and Austria, and in doing so would cause a domino effect of allegiance, causing Britain to go to the aid of the French, and since Australia was a British colony, we too would be expected to answer the call.

The Government made its position clear on the issue of Australian involvement, when on July 31st, 1914, the Minister for Defence, Senator Millen publicly stated "Australia will recognise that she is not merely a fair-weather partner of the Empire, but a competent member in all circumstances." On the same night, the Leader of the Opposition (Labour), Andrew Fisher, stated whilst speaking at a gathering in Colac, Victoria, "Should the worst happen, after everything has been done that honour will permit, Australians will stand beside the mother country to help defend her to our last man and our last shilling." On the following Monday night (August 3rd), Sir John Forest, then the Treasurer of the country, was in Busselton, WA giving a speech. During his talk he stated "If Britain goes to her Armageddon, we will go with her. Our fate and hers, for good or ill, are as woven threads."

And so it was that following the ensuing events in Europe, on the night of August 4th, 1914 (9a.m. August 5th in Sydney), Britain declared war upon Germany and the Australian people would be expected to participate.

In Flanders fields...

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Col. John McCrae (1872–1918)

In Honour of the Fallen...

The following are the names, dates & locations of death, and hometowns of some of those who have a connection with the Fleurieu Peninsula who paid the ultimate price during World War I. [ Note - KIA = Killed in Action, DOW = Died of Wounds, DOI = Died of Illness, POW = Prisoner of War, those bearing a Red Poppy are true ANZACS - those that stormed the beach at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915 and died trying or shortly thereafter on Turkish soil.]

"They shall grow not old "

In Flanders fields...

In Honour of the Fallen...