ANZAC Day

Having lived in NZ for 4.5years I am well aware of how ANZAC day is observed in both NZ and Australia. Being British and not a history major I have little knowledge of Gallipoli and the role of the British. Also, living in China Remembrance Day was not marked in anyway and so when some staff members decided to organise an ANZAC day service I immediately decided upon attending.

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

I've always kept the traditions of remembering those who gave their lives and suffered in order to ensure the freedom of future generations. I count myself lucky to live today and not to have experienced warfare first hand. I also feel very grateful for global mindedness that is beginning to become instilled within society and how through shared experience and faster communication it is becoming one large community bit by bit.

The ANZAC service I attended was held in the staff room at school and was thoughtfully organised. Poignant images were projected onto the screens throughout the service behind a table with a simple floral arrangement. There was an assortment of readings and musical items, including the last post and reveille played by a colleague. Staff from Australia, NZ, UK, Canada and the USA were in attendance which I thought was really nice as well as whole families with the youngest in attendance being 18 months old. The only slight detraction was the Ayi who came in to set out the tea, coffee and bread that is provided every morning for staff who proceeding to pour milk from a carton to a jug very noisily whilst a 7 year old was reading the ode.

Following the service we gathered for breakfast in the canteen that even included anzac biscuits. Whilst sat eating breakfast a colleague that I know very well made a comment about the British purposefully sending the Australian and NZ servicemen to the worst possible area during the war considering the lives of these men and women to be of little importance due to them being descended from convicts. I found myself rather taken aback by this and wasn't really sure if it was a personal attack. I can't personally answer for decisions made by the country where I was  born so many years. Should I have attended ANZAC day or was I an unwelcome representation of the UK?