HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
Photo 7/30: War
The Idea
Have decided to post a photo per day for 30 days, each based on a word or theme. Feel free to offer a word or theme challenge to MB in the comment box below.
Photo 7/30
Thanks to Blogger – A Silver Voice From Ireland who posted earlier today on the occasion of ANZAC Day (nice read – http://thesilvervoice.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/anzac-day/#comment-2546).
In her post she mentions that approx 3,000 Irish-born (amongst the British forces) lost their lives in Gallipoli, more than the number lost by New Zealand (some 2,700 from my research).
When I was in Istanbul 2 weeks ago I looked into taking a bus trip to Gallipoli but it was a 5 hour journey away, and time (as well as a 13 year old daughter!) just did not permit. Met an Australian lady who was heading onwards in that direction and she was hopeful of attending the morning service on the beach – which I think is now a ticket-only affair.
The capture of Istanbul was the main reason the allied forces invaded but it was repelled by the Turks. More than 100,000 men lost their lives over the ensuing months and more than that number again were badly injured.
Liam Clancy (Bob Dylan’s favourite ballad singer) sings the definitive version of the famous anti war song written by Scottish born Australian Eric Bogel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFCekeoSTwg&feature=youtu.be
War is not nice!
HX Report 
MB – Thanks for the post today – a day of remembering the past and paying respects to those who have been involved in conflict – the ballad “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” brings back so much of my upbringing and means so much to me and my generation – hopefully to be passed on and understood for generations to come.
I am currently in Europe and every day you see ‘iconic symbols’, buildings etc that remind us of war and one simply Qs wether we learn or not???!!!
LikeLike
Thanks TH. Decided to post a graveyard (from the village church at home where some war dead lie) instead of a guy raising a flag or some such, which glorifies war to some degree – when the reality is body bags and bereaved families.
LikeLike
Thanks for the mention! Liam Clancy’s song is the ultimate anti-war ballad.
LikeLike
Don’t mention. Really enjoyed your post this morning.
LikeLike
Don’t mention.. Really enjoyed your post this morning.
LikeLike
🙂 Go raibh maith agat or as we Donegal people say ‘Gura maith agat! ‘
LikeLike