Figure 1.--This is the Legacy Boys contingent marching in an Australian ANZAC Day parade during the late 1940s.

ANZAC Day was created to honor the soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who fought with the British in World War I (1914-18). April 25 was chosen to honor the first major engagement of the Australian-New Zealand Army Corps in World Wr I. Both Australia and New Zealand again joined with the British again to fight the Germans in World War II. Australian soldiers played a prominent role in stopping Rommel in the Westrern Desert. The Australian Army was so heavily involved in North Africa, that after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 1941) and the surreder of the Singapore (February 1942) that Australia was largely open to Japanese invasion. Only the intervention of American carrier forces at the Coral Sea (April 1942) prevented the Japanese from seizing Port Moresby in New Guinea and preparing for an invasion of Australia itself. Today the ANZAC celebrations honor those who served in both World Wars. One aspect of the ANZAC celebrations was the Legacy Boys who would march in the annual campaigns. The Legacy children, being the sons and daughters of the soldiers that never returned. Therewere Clubs formed for these boys in major Australian cities. They were an important part of the ANZAC celebrations during and after the two World Wars, but of course have now all grown up.

Foundation

ANZAC Day is Australia's most important national holiday. ANZAC Day was created to honor the soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who fought with the British in World War I (1914-18). April 25 marks the anniversary of the first major engagement fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. It was the day the original ANZACs went ashore at Gallipoli in Turkey. This marked the first time Australian and New Zealand troops had entered battle as independent nations. [Hately] ANZAC is an abreviation for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The Australian and New Zealand soldiers became known as ANZACs, a name in which they took great pride. The Government at first wanted to make it a Sunday observation, but many veterans objected to being split up into different churches as well as making the observation a religion event commemorated with sermons. April 25 was designated ANZAC DAy in 1916, but it was not until after the War in the 1920s that it became an important country-wide celebration to honor the veterans. It was at this time thatm dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, reunions, sly two-up games became firmly established as features of the ANZAC Day commemoration.

Two World Wars

Australian forces fought with the British during World War I, both in the trenches on the Western Front and in the Middle Eastern campaigns against the Turks. An Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was involved at Gallipoli. Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed an important part of the allied expedition that attempted to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea so that supplied could reach the Russians. The Russians played a critical role in preventing the Germans from concentrating their forces in the Western Front. Casualty rates were very high. Both Australia and New Zealand again joined with the British again to fight the Germans in World War II. Australian soldiers played a prominent role innstipping Rommel in the Westrern Desert. The Australian Army was so heavily involved in North Aftrica, that after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 1941) and the surreder of the Singapore (February 1942) that Australia was largely open to Japanese invasion. Percival's surrender of Singapore was perhaps the greatest dissaster in British military history. Over 200,000 British and Commonwealth troops surrendered to the Japanaese. They endured horific conditions in Japanese slave labor camps. Death rates were staggering. Many Australian forces were among the Commonwealth troops that surrendered at Singapore. The defense of Australia was premised on Singapore. Australia was left with inadequate forces, poorly trained and armed. Only the intervention of American carrier forces at the Coral Sea (April 1942) prevented the Japanese from seizing Port Moresby in New Guinea and preparing for an invasion of Australia itself.

The Legacy Boys

One aspect of the ANZAC celebrations was the Legacy Boys who would march in the annual campaigns. The Legacy children, being the sons and daughters of the soldiers that never returned. Therewere Clubs formed for these boys in major Australian cities. I have no information on these Clubs at this time. They were an important part of the ANZAC celebrations during and after the two World Wars. The boys would proudly march with their fathers' medals. Of course the sons of World War II veterans have now all grown up. Legacy Australia was created in the 1920s to assist in the welfare and support of the widows and children of deceased war veterans, and is pledged to continue this vital role well into this century.

Modern Celebrations

Today the ANZAC celebrations honor those who served in both World Wars. A typical commemoration in both Australia and New Zealand often begins with a march by service personnel before dawn to the local war memorial. They are joined by other members of the community. A short service includes a prayer, hymns (including Kipling's 'Recessional' or 'Lest We Forget'), and a dedication which concludes with the last verse of Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen': They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
The Last Post is then played, followed by a minute's silence and Reveille. A brief address follows, after which the hymn 'Recessional' is sung. The service concludes with a a closing prayer and the singing of the National Anthem. The major event in with most Australians participate is the The Anzac Day Parade. Veterans with their medals and battle standards parade down the main street of every Australian city followed by other community groups, including members of the armed forces, the Red Cross, cadets, veterans of other countries' forces, Boy Scouts and Cubs, Girl Guides, and others. A prominent feature was right after the War the Legacy Boys. The Parade proceeds to the local war memorial, where another service takes place, including the laying of wreaths by various organisations and members of the public. At the end of the day, the ceremony of the 'Retreat' is performed.

Sources

Hately, Shaun Hately. E-mail message, November 29, 2003.

Created: July 23, 2003
Last updated: Novembr 29, 2003