SNIPPETS Editor: Jeff Mawkes DATE: April 2021

Whilst there are still Covid-19 issues in regards to Anzac Day 2021, Watsonia RSL have the following planned;

Unfortunately, there will be no 6am Dawn Service available to the public this year, however Committee Members of the RSL will attend and play the Last Post and Rouse at the Cenotaph at the entrance to the RSL. This could be heard loudly throughout the local community last year, and as a lot of our patrons did last year, the stand in ‘Light Up the Dawn’ driveway services can also be run again this year at your own premises should people wish to do so.

Watsonia RSL have then planned for a March and a limited Commemoration Service. This March will be strictly for Veterans and their families/carers only, with Covid-19 restrictions in force. It is advisable that Marchers bring with them a face mask to wear for when the column of Marchers close up at the front of Watsonia RSL.

Marchers are to assemble at the corner of Watsonia Rd and Black St at 9.30am. There may well be further changes closer to Anzac Day, so please keep updated via our social media pages.

The public are welcome to watch our Commemoration Service outside, however are reminded that there are still restrictions in force, and we ask that people respect these restrictions and keep their social distance.

At the completion of the Service, due to the limitations on the number of patrons on our premises, it will be on a first in basis until the venue reaches capacity. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience.

Please note: There will not be a Gunfire Breakfast this year. The RSL will open it’s doors to the public at the completion of the Commemoration Service. Approximately 10.30am.

ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER

COMPLIMENTARY DRINK VOUCHERS; On presentation of your financial Watsonia RSL Membership Card, you are entitled to collect two complimentary drink vouchers to be used only on Anzac Day 2021. These vouchers are available for collection at Watsonia RSL’s Reception desk strictly until Saturday 24th April 2021. They are to be used for house tap beers, house wines and soft drinks only on this exclusive day, until 2pm. *Conditions apply

WRISTBAND ALLOCATION; Wristbands are now available for collection. Any Member intending on visiting our Anzac Day celebrations in the Member’s Lounge (with their guests) will be required to wear a wristband. Each Member will be issued a maximum of one (1) for themselves, and two (2) for their guests. If these wristbands are lost or misplaced, they will not be replaced under any circumstances. Any person not wearing an appropriate wristband will not be admitted to the Watsonia RSL Member’s Lounge on Anzac Day. *Conditions apply; Service Personnel will be allowed extra wristbands for immediate families.

ANZAC DAY 2021

∙ Limited Commemoration Service ∙ 10.00am at the front of Watsonia RSL

∙ Anzac Bistro ∙ Lunch 12.00pm-2.00pm Dinner 5.00pm-8.30pm

∙ Members Lounge ∙ Spit Roast Rolls from 1.00pm

FOOTBALL LIVE ON THE BIG SCREENS

TRADING MEMBERS LOUNGE COURTESY BUS HOURS Entry Requirements; 9.00am – 10.30pm Opening at the • 1 member = 2 guests completion of the • No thongs WANTED Commemoration • Photo ID required • Appropriate wristbands to be Volunteers to sell Anzac Badges Service until worn at all times in the lead up to Anzac Day.

11.00pm! • No football jumpers or scarves If you can spare some time, *Bars close @ 10.30pm permitted please see Phil Pierce

KeEping you up to date ON FACEBOOK, AND at www.watsoniarsl.com.au Day Clubs; We have started a progressive comeback for the different clubs within our RSL, and the fitness classes will be starting back in April with strict Covid-19 issues regarding the cleaning of equipment.

Resume Assistance; One of our RSL Members has written to the Board stating that, with the jobseeker payments being dropped as of 1 April 2021,

there may be Members of Watsonia RSL who will be seeking work, however

require help with writing a resume. This Member is a highly qualified English

teacher and has offered his assistance in helping these Members compile a resume. Any Member who finds themselves in need of assistance, please contact the President or Aged Care Co-ordinator, who will then pass your information on to the Member concerned, to contact you. I thank him for offering this service. Cherry St; On 15 April 2021 the War Graves Working Group will be placing an additional plaque on the existing memorial stone at the Cherry Street commemorative site. Members of the public are invited to attend.

’’This plaque is set in honour of the war veteran patients and the medical and administrative staff who cared for them at the nearby Mont Park Hospital, Convalescent Military Hospital, 14 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, 16 Australian General Hospital, Military Mental Hospital and 1 Military Sanatorium, during the years from 1914 until 1933. The war veteran patients were hospitalised at these institutions as a result of their war injuries and illnesses sustained during World War 1. They suffered and endured in the cause of our liberties and freedoms.’’

ANZAC Day; A couple of extra points to make… Due to capacity limits (Covid-19 restrictions) in all areas of the RSL, entrance to the RSL will be on a first in basis on the day, and the doors will close when we are at capacity.

Laying of Wreaths; We invite anyone to lay a wreath at our Cenotaph at the conclusion of the Commemoration Service and throughout the day.

6am Dawn Service; As previously written, Watsonia RSL are not offering a Dawn Service for the public this year, hopefully it will be back in 2022!

Once again, ‘Light Up The Dawn’. Stand in your yard, driveway, or on your balcony and observe a minute of silence in respect of our Veterans. Make sure that you snap a quick picture and share it on social media, and don’t forget to tag Watsonia RSL!

Together, lets amplify our commitment to the ANZAC spirit. Lest We Forget.

Josh ua Dyer (aged 14) was tasked at school to write a poem. An hour later (without any help) he produced the following. Very Special…

ONE THOUSAND MEN ARE WALKING

One thousand men are walking, walking side by side Singing songs from home, the spirit as their guide. $1200.00 They walk toward the light milord, they walk towards the sun They smoke and laugh and smile CASHtogether, no foes to outrun These men live on forever, in thePRIZES hearts of those they saved A nation truly grateful, for the path of peace they paved.

They March as friends and comrades, but they do not March for war Step closer to salvation, a tranquil steady corps.

The meadows lit with golden beams, a beacon for the brave The emerald grass untrampled, a reward for what they gave They dream of those they left behind, and know they dream of them Forever in those poppy fields, there walks one thousand men.

Veterans Australian Recipient

Alexander Stewart Burton

Born: 20 January 1893 Kyneton, Victoria, Australia Died: 9 August 1915 (aged 22) Lone Pine, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey Allegiance: Australia Service/branch: Australian Imperial Force Years of Service: 1914 – 1915 Rank: Corporal Unit: 7th Battalion Battles/Wars: First World War ; Awards: Victoria Cross

Early life; Burton was born at Kyneton, in the state of Victoria, on 20 January 1893. His father, a grocer, moved his family to Euroa where he commenced working for a department store. After completing his schooling, Alexander joined his father at the store, working in the ironmonger’s section.

First World War; Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Burton enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 August 1914 and posted to the 7th Battalion. He embarked with the battalion for the Middle East on 19 October 1914. On 25 April 1915, 7th Battalion landed at Gallipoli but Burton was sick and did not reach the frontlines until a week later. He was promoted to the rank of lance corporal on 10 July 1915 for having volunteered and taken part in the forcing of Saphead D21 in the face of the enemy.

On 9 August 1915, Burton fought in the Battle of Lone Pine when his company reinforced newly captured Turkish trenches. Burton was one of a party of men that manned a barricade against attacking Turkish soldiers. Killed in this action, he was recommended by his battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Pompey Elliott, for the award of the Victoria Cross (VC). Two other members of the party, Lieutenant and Corporal , were also awarded VCs. Burton's VC was gazetted on 15 October 1915; the citation read as follows:

For most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine Trenches on the 9th August, 1915. In the early morning the enemy made a determined counter-attack on the centre of the newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb, Corporals Burton and Dunstan and a few men. They (the enemy) advanced up a sap and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only one foot of it standing, but Lieutenant Tubb with the two Corporals repulsed the enemy and rebuilt the barricade. Supported by strong bombing parties, the enemy twice again succeeded in blowing the barricade, but on each occasion, they were repulsed and the barricade rebuilt, although Lieutenant Tubb was wounded in the head and arm and Corporal Burton was killed by a bomb while most gallantly building up the parapet under a hail of bombs.

Burton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.