more light #68
Anzac Day
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
April 25th of each year is Anzac Day.
Anzac Day is a day set aside in Australia and New Zealand to honor the Anzac
Forces who fought and died on the Gallipoli Peninsula in the First World War.
“Anzac” stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The Anzac forces
landed on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 where they engaged the enemy, and that
campaign carried on in battle for Eight Months; the actual battle lasted eight
months.
The casualties were 33,000, including 8,000 New Zealanders and 7,000
Australians. Out of the 10,000 New Zealanders who fought at Gallipoli 3,000 were
killed and 5,000 were wounded, there were also over 7,000 Australians who were
killed or wounded: All this in an Eight-Month Battle. So you can see why April
25th is set aside as Anzac Day to honor the Veterans of that battle.
April 25th was first recognized as Anzac Day in 1916. I’m, told a typical Anzac
Day Service would begin with Hymns and Prayers, it would include an address by
someone on the history, and significance of what Anzac Day is commemorating, the
Laying of Wreaths, and the singing of the National Anthem. Not unlike the
services put on in the U.S.A. by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign
Wars for Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.
Back in June of 2002 I got an informative E-mail from Most Worshipful Brother
Donald M. Severson, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of
Minnesota in 1978-79 the following is some of what he wrote to me:
“In 1979, during my year as Grand Master, I had the opportunity to represent The
Grand Lodge of Minnesota at an International Masonic Festival held in Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia. ”Needless to say, there were many exciting and
educational events held during this ten day event, including the dedication of a
new Masonic Temple in downtown Sydney, preceded by a huge, grand procession
through the streets of downtown Sydney. Thousands of Masons in full regalia;
What a magnificent sight!!! Eighteen sitting Grand Masters along with the Grand
Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales led the procession.”A
highlight was the occasion of being personally introduced to an elderly Brother
of a local Lodge, that was visited in a group, as part of the Grand Lodge
program. I had noticed earlier in the evening that he was treated with great
deference and respect. I inquired as to his status: Past Master; Past Grand
Officer? - None of the above. I was then escorted to him by the W.M. of the
Lodge and formally introduced. He was a veteran/survivor of the Battle of
Gallipoli!!! I was astounded and humbled at the opportunity to meet this
Brother. It was like meeting and shaking hands with General John J. Pershing or
President Theodore Roosevelt, going back in time so to speak.
”Australian and New Zealand veterans are held in very high esteem in their
respective countries.”It was 23 years ago this last March, [March 2002] and I
still look back on my year and this event with great pleasure.”[i]
The last of the original members of the Anzac Forces to die was Albert Edward
Matthews. He was called Ted. He was born November 11, 1896 and died December 09,
1997 at the age of 101; he was the last original member of the Anzac forces who
landed on Gallipoli on April 15th 1915.
Ted Matthews was quoted on his 101st Birthday as saying that he left school at
14 to become a carpenter. When he was 17 it was his knowledge of Morse Code that
got him an early entry to 1st Division Signals. "I signed up when I was young
and impulsive and stupid" Mr. Matthews said. He was 18 when he landed at
Gallipoli, and he would not have seen his 19th birthday if he had not been
carrying a thick pocketbook his mother gave him. “It bore the brunt of Turkish
shrapnel in the chest a few hours after landing.”[ii]
“Not only was he one of the first ashore at Gallipoli but he was one of the last
to leave after the aborted eight month campaign that left 11,410 Anzacs dead. He
saw out the entire four years of WWI later serving in France and Belgium.”[iii]Out
of the Battle of Gallipoli came something that is called “Anzac Biscuits.” The
Anzac Biscuit was a cookie that the Soldiers of the Anzac Forces had for snacks;
it was something sweet and nourishing they could carry with them while on the
line and in camp. There are a couple of stories on how these cookies came to be.
One version is that the women “Back Home” would make them and sell them to raise
money for the assistance of the veterans when they returned home. However, when
they were purchased many of the cookies, if not most of them, were sent to the
Anzac Troops by their Families.
Another version is that the Army Cooks invented them out of the materials they
had on hand in camp to make something like dessert for the Anzac troops. One
thing that both versions of the legend of the Anzac Biscuits have in common is
that the Anzac Biscuit is a ‘tough cookie’ that is made out of simple
ingredients.
Being that the Anzac Biscuit was a ‘Tough Cookie,’ it could be packed and
shipped from “home” to the front and get there in fairly good shape even if the
package was not handled to gently. Also, for the other version of the story is
that, being a ‘Tough Cookie’ made from simple ingredients that an Army Cook
would have on hand; a Soldier could put some of the Anzac Biscuits in his pocket
or his pack and carry it with him in battle and when time permitted he could
have a snack of something that would still be intact, and taste good.
Well, no matter which story of the origin one might have a preference for, the
Anzac Biscuit is a Great Cookie that is enjoyed by all.
The recipe is not complicated and it uses ingredients that are found in most
kitchens. Because of the lack of space here I wont include it, but you can find
it on my Recipe Site at
http://wwwrecipecircus.com/recipes/Leo When you get to the site, click on
Cookies then printout the recipe for Anzac Biscuits and also for Cane Syrup;
Cane Syrup is needed for the Anzac Biscuit Recipe. You might want to explore the
site; there could be other recipes you’ll like too.
There is time to make the Anzac Biscuits to have to commemorate Anzac Day and
when you do you will be enjoying some of the same ‘good eats’ the men of the
Anzac Forces had on Gallipoli in 1915. So you have a good recipe to try and a
little information about Anzac Day.
[i] E-mail 06/04/02 Donald M. Severson Sr.
[ii] http://www.ozbird.com
[iii] ibid
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