The Anzac Legacy

The Anzac Legacy

Bibliography

Figure 1: The Location of the Battle of Leane's Trench at Gallipoli

Figure 2: The Effect of Gallipoli Injuries on Facey

N.B. This essay is 987 words, excluding references, bibliography, footnotes and figure labels.

Each generation of Australians aims to leave a legacy of value to its descendants. One of the most significant bequests received from a past generation of Australians is the ANZAC spirit, which is recognised across the world. While it has been described in many ways (Anzac, 1996; Australia Through Time, 1997: 205; Clark, Hooper and Ferrier, 1988: 131; Hickey, 1995: 150; The Spirit of Anzac, 1999), all definitions refer to the qualities of courage, mateship, sacrifice and determination.

There were many instances of the ANZAC spirit in the Gallipoli Campaign, where the qualities were first identified. This battle was Australia's first experience of war on a large scale (Anzac, 1996; McKernan, 1984; Robson, 1969). The Australian and New Zealand soldiers demonstrated this ANZAC spirit throughout the Gallipoli Campaign, as they battled against daunting odds. Many of the soldiers who enlisted to fight for Australia were ordinary Australians responding to the patriotic call. One of these Australians was Albert Barnet Facey.

Facey was born in Victoria, moving to Western Australia when he was a child. He regarded himself as a very ordinary Australian, however his life journey, as is reported in his autobiography, travelled numerous paths (Facey, 1981). This work allows us to delve into the Gallipoli experience of the common soldier, and to perceive the ANZAC spirit in operation at this normally undocumented level.

Courage is a fundamental attribute of the ANZAC spirit. During the Gallipoli Campaign it was critical for survival. The soldiers faced numerous battles from the moment they landed at ANZAC Cove until they left Gallipoli. Facey was involved in the Battle for Leane's Trench, near Tasmania Post (See Figure 1). This particular battle was a relatively small event in the overall Gallipoli history and occurred early in the process (Facey, 1981; McCarthy, 1983). The soldiers were required to dig a series of tunnels parallel to the Turkish trenches. The walls between the tunnels and trenches were then demolished, enabling the ANZACs to gain control of the Turkish trenches. Despite being aware of the hazards, the soldiers silently worked on their tasks, aware that if a noise was made, they would be in grave danger of discovery by the Turks. While specific battles were well documented examples of courage at Gallipoli, every day a soldier lived on the front, and every action, was an act of bravery. For example, obtaining water endangered a soldier's life (Facey, 1981; Gallipoli Ð'- The Fatal Shore, 1992; The ANZAC Book, 1975). However, the soldiers accepted the need to undertake these dangerous duties. They did not see themselves as brave (Broadbent, 1990: 84). In fact, Facey acknowledged that he was "scared stiff" and notes instead the bravery of Simpson "the man with the donkey" (Facey, 1981: 258). The recognition of acts of bravery by others, seems to be another aspect of this ANZAC spirit.

Mateship created strong bonds between the men at Gallipoli, and was essential to their emotional and physical survival. Facey describes these bonds many times, noting also how humour and sharing were used to reduce the tension and helped many soldiers cope. He states "...all the men who were at Gallipoli wanted to stay with their comrades. It wasn't that anyone wanted to be a hero, it was just that we were very close after four months together ... a sort of love and trust in one another developed in the trenches." (Facey, 1981: 275). After four months, Facey was severely injured in three places and was evacuated from Gallipoli on the ship Ulysses. He left reluctantly, noting the strong bond of mateship which still bound him. (Facey, 1981: 275).

The 'Gallipoli Campaign relied on the ANZAC soldier's willingness to sacrifice his life, health and future. Facey, for example, had two brothers who also fought at Gallipoli and were both killed in action, causing him great sorrow. Despite his losses, he remained patriotic and encouraged his own sons to make their own informed decisions about whether to enlist for World War II.

A soldier needed great determination to continue the daily battle at Gallipoli. This was particularly evident when injury occurred. Facey, like many soldiers, sustained numerous injuries, the first being shrapnel in the jaw. He chose to endure the harsh limited medical treatment available on the front, without anaesthetic, in order to remain fighting. He sacrificed his future appearance for his comrades. Figure 2 shows Facey prior to his war experience, and later, as an elderly man. It can