Lest we forget

Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made.

Charles Bean, 1948

ANZAC DAY – Lots of things to remember.

I think of my great grandfather Richard Hicks, whom my father was named after, and his brother in law Gordon Benham who both served. I have posted Richards recommendation form for the Military Medal he received in the First World War. My brother, who is in the army, now has his medals and looks after them proudly.

It’s hard to imagine what they went through, I guess shows like The Pacific try to emulate the war and to give us a glimpse of the hardships they endured and the losses they encountered.

I sit at my desk in my comfy chair, hot coffee at the side, and children playing happily (for once), feeling safe so I find it’s hard to imagine the feelings these brave and scared soldiers had, many of them so young. So I will do my bit this weekend to remember them all.