he rose at dawn, just like so many dawns before. Looking around him, he gathered all he needed, no time to waste, so he grabbed his water bottle, and started the long trek. There'd be no rest for many hours to come, but it was the same for the others. They were all in this together.
It was backbreaking work, hot, dusty, exhausting, but he knew he was serving his country, in the best way he, they, could. The real action would come in a few days time, but till then, preparation was all important. He didn't want to let anyone down, not his mates, his Dad or his brothers... they were all in this together. When he first heard about the conflict, he hadn't envisaged that he would be involved in this way, he thought he might be in the same unit as his three brothers in Papua New Guinea, but then he was still working alongside the others. Their task was as important as any other... they had to have everything ready to exact guidelines. The army wouldn't accept it any other way. Besides, they took pride in what they did. They worked long into the night, and finally it was ready, till the next time.
They had packed all, loaded the truck and the produce would be at the station in a few hours time and on the way to feed the army. Who would know, maybe their own brothers would soon be eating food from their farm which was under contract to the Australian Armed Services.
We honour all who served in whatever way... so many unsung heroes, men and women, and their children...
LEST WE FORGET
(c) chrismilne
I have written a number of posts over previous years re ANZAC DAY and what it means to our family.
Rather than repost all, this link will take you to them.
Thinking of all the many generations of family and loved ones to whom we owe our appreciation and admiration. We are who we are, because of your efforts and sacrifices, for which we truly thank you.
Wonderful. Very poignant. Well Done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon...
ReplyDeleteUsually the youngest stayed at home to run the farms etc. with their mothers and sisters. The daily anxiety of those at home worrying about their boys and girls overseas must have been agonising. Hard work and limited rations, plus little news in most cases would have been difficult as well. 2 Great uncles died in France and 2 came back.
ReplyDeleteThis referred to my Dad... he was the youngest.. of 9. There were two sisters home, three brothers in PNG, two other brothers also working the farms and one brother away from home.
DeleteThey worked from morning to night, my grandfather rigged up hurricane lamps on the old tractor and he would drive that as long as he could.
My grandmother and the girls helped in packing produce, looking after the house, including feeding the whole family plus two POWs who were assigned to them... baked for many in the town who couldn't look after themselves, worked for the Red Cross in many ways and in their 'spare' time, helped in the closest hospital. They certainly did their share..
They lived on the vegetables considered unsuitable for the army, wrong size, shape, colour, etc. and whatever they could catch in the lake. They used their ration cards sparingly, instead sharing what they could with those with very young families or who had lost their husbands and fathers.
So sad to lose two great Uncles in France.. glad two returned though. Thank you for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.