St John's Cathedral, Brisbane and the Anzac Legend

“The first thing that shone out in all that he had seen in those soul-stirring experiences, was the love of the Digger for his “cobbers” [mates], which was something most beautiful to see…[Second, the] men showed splendid courage when wounded, even when in sore pain or when dying which made one feel proud to belong to such a race… “…What kind of courage was theirs who dared to do and die so heroically? We do not claim for these men who were our comrades…that they were saints any more than we claim this for ourselves…What we do claim is that they were men of whom any country might be proud because, in the hour of fiery trial, they counted not the cost but did their duty... “April 25, 1915…was a great day for Australia.

“Honour was done to her that day by our brave lads which would inspire not only the present generation but also generations unborn … All the Anzacs were not dead. Thousands were happily still with us. Best of all the Anzac spirit was not dead. That dauntless spirit was a rich heritage which would inspire the young nation for all time.” (From The Telegraph (Brisbane), “Flag and Cross Presented” , 25 April 1929).

1915 drawing made by David Barker at Gallipoli depicting an Australian soldier fighting in front of a Union Jack, similar to the one used at Gallipoli by Chaplain Maxwell which hangs in the Cathedral. The drawing formed the cover for the ”Anzac Book” published in 1916, edited by Charles Bean, containing soldiers’ stories and illustrations from the Gallipoli campaign. Medium: pencil, gouache, ink and watercolour on paper.

But, in highlighting the Anzac legend, the courage and the loss, we in Australia should not forget that other allied forces also suffered devastating losses at Gallipoli. While Australia lost 8700 young men, the New Zealanders lost 2800, the Indians 1400, the French 10,000 and the British 21,000. The Turkish defenders admitted to 86,000 killed. Total casualties (killed or wounded) on all sides in the Gallipoli campaign amounted to nearly 400,000 people.

Australian War Memorial ART90422

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