A RAVE REVIEW FOR – The Anzacs 100 Hundred Years On in Story and Song.
TED EGAN
http://www.tedegan.com.au/

Yesterday, I believed in time travel. I was been taken back by the voice of the past and reminded about two young nations who lost their innocence in War. Yesterday the extraordinary Ted Egan engaged a room of people with his profound words and his mesmerising singing voice.
I was introduced to John (Jack) Leslie Nicholson who enlisted on day 1 of the war, regimental number 336, and nineteen years old. As I listened to him speak all I could think about was an excited young man in search of adventure plucking up enough courage to tell his mother.

‘Mum, do you have a minute? I have to tell you something.’
She hesitated before she turned from the stove. Jack’s voice was as shaky as her hand. The spoon in her hand dripped gravy onto her apron.
‘I’ve enlisted.’
The spoon hit the floor with a sharp clang, the first toll of a death bell.
‘Why?’ she mouthed.
‘Because, because it’s my duty.’
She bent and picked up the spoon, tossed it in the sink, opened the drawer and took out another. How many spoons will be tossed aside before this brutal war is over.
‘Don’t worry Mum. They said the war will be over by Christmas.’
She clamped her lips together and twisted back to the stove. Jack didn’t need to see her tears.

Imagine a nineteen year old stating it was his duty to go to war! Imagine how Jack in his wildest dreams couldn’t have had any idea of how so many would die needlessly. How at home the weeping would spread from town to city to the bush. A continual weeping around the world for the maimed the insane and lost by the time this war to end all wars finished.

Ted Egan’s brilliant book The Anzacs 100 Hundred Years On in Story and Song is a touchingly personal, historical account of World War 1 and its aftermath. Personally I feel every Australian and New Zealand library, home, family and school library should have a copy of this book.

Made by Rod Dudley, the figures depict eight carved wooden figures of Anzac soldiers in uniform. Made of Lebanese cedar the soldiers stand upon white crosses that contrast starkly with the richly textured carved wood. They are situated at The Australian War memorial Canberra, ACT. www.awm.gov.au

One could listen all day to the incredible Ted Egan 

The Anzacs 100 Hundred Years On in Story and Song comes with a CD of 20 songs and the original commentary by original ANZAC Jack Nicholson. Everyone in the room joined Ted to sing some favourite songs of the era. Tears flooded my eyes when Nerys, Ted’s beautiful and talented wife sang  (written by Ted) a song about a family who received that fateful letter.

Bronze statue of an Australian WW1 trooper saying farewell to his Waler horse (a mare is shown) in the deserts of the Middle East. The statue was sculpted by Tanya Bartlett of Newcastle and stands in all its beauty at Tamworth NSW.  www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au

Yesterday, I believed in time travel as I witnessed the ugly side of war. But when I stared into the eyes of the soldiers featured in the photographs I felt a profound sense of gratefulness. These ordinary young people, men and women alike stood up for what they believed in and did what they considered to be their duty. In this book war is not glorified but told the way it was by those who knew.

The Desert Corps Memorial near the top of Mount Clarence is an impressive war memorial commemorating those who fought at Gallipoli during World War One.  The bullet marks on the stonework were attained during the Suez Riots of 1956. Situated near the summit of Mount Clarence, the site provides spectacular panoramic views across Princess Royal Harbour, King George Sound and Middleton Bay. The harbour is said to be one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. http://www.planbooktravel.com.au/ 

“Boys, boys, warlords’ toys
Pawns in the war games of history
But they’re bold, bold
They’ll do as they’re told
A legend in the making at Gallipoli.”
Chorus from Gallipoli – Ted Egan

 

If you’re thinking about buying an heirloom book for your family this year make it this one.
You can buy The Anzacs 100 Hundred Years On in Story and Song
Online at  http://www.tedegan.com.au/

My thanks to Ted Egan for giving me permission to use his wonderful words.