In 2023, we visited the Adelaide River War Cemetery in the Northern Territory. The cemetery was opened in February 1942 after the first Japanese air raids on Darwin. It contains 436 graves, including those of 63 civilians who died as a result of war service.
Here in Australia, most of the time we don’t think about the things that war cemeteries represent, with ANZAC Day being an exception. ANZAC Day is held on 25 April, commemorating the World War 1 landing of the Allies at Gallipoli in 1915. The Allies were an international military coalition of countries led by the UK, France, Russia, USA, Italy and Japan. The Allies were fighting against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Gallipoli 1915
“What had been planned as a bold strike to knock the Ottomans out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. The Allied deaths totalled over 56,000, including 8,709 from Australia and 2,721 from New Zealand. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home, and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.
Though the Gallipoli campaign failed to achieve its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking the Ottoman Empire out of the war, the actions of the Australian and New Zealand troops during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an ‘Anzac legend’ became an important part of the national identity in both countries. This has shaped the way their citizens have viewed both their past and their understanding of the present. The heroism of the soldiers in the failed Gallipoli campaign made their sacrifices iconic in New Zealand memory, and is often credited with securing the psychological independence of the nation,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day.
We lost the battle
We lost the battle at Gallipoli. Some have said that we could never have won it. “The Gallipoli Campaign cost tens of thousands of lives, and it was regarded as a complete failure for the allies. Why did the allies fail to achieve their objectives? The Gallipoli campaign was hampered by poor planning, inadequate intelligence, and stubborn Turkish resistance,” www.dailyhistory.org/Why_did_the_Gallipoli_Landings_fail_in_WWI
It must have been very difficult for the families of war veterans to understand the loss of their husbands, wives and children. It was certainly difficult for the family of 27-year-old Trooper J.Peterson, as they wrote on his gravestone, “Someday, sometime, we’ll understand,” (see photo above).
It’s a long time since World War 1. It was known as “The war to end all wars.” But just 25 years later, we had World War 2.
In 1942 Darwin was bombed by the Japanese, who were now our enemies, not our allies.
Today, ANZAC Day commemorates all wars, not just World War 1.
Lest we forget
Today we say, “Lest we forget.” Perhaps we have forgotten. Even now, in 2025, wars are still happening! We have death, war, failure, battles, poor planning, fighting, arguments, pain, suffering, death. Life on earth seems to be a mess. There is so much we don’t understand.
Many thought that Jesus was a failure too. Many had expected Him to save them from Roman oppression. They greeted Him as King on Palm Sunday, hoping He would lead a revolution and bring them everything they wanted. But, shockingly, just a few days later, Jesus was crucified. He died the death of an evil criminal.
Jesus was not a criminal. He was perfect, without sin. Yet, He chose to die, to pay the price for sin – my sin and your sin! How can this be? Why would Jesus, true God and true man, choose to give up everything for ME? That’s something I don’t really understand, but I’m so grateful that it’s true.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for all our servicemen and women. Thank you for those who gave their lives – not for power, but for peace; not for glory, but so that others might live in freedom. May we live lives worthy of the ANZAC sacrifice — and continue to stand for the truth and freedom they died to defend. Thank you that Jesus died for me!
Amen.