Enough Rope’s Gallipoli: brothers in arms

A STUDYGUIDE by robert lewis

www.metromagazine.com.au

www.theeducationshop.com.au OVERVIEW

NOUGH ROPE’s Gallipoli: Brothers in Arms, (Andrew E Denton, 2007, 54 minutes) is the result of a visit by Andrew Denton to Gallipoli in 2006 for ANZAC Day, 25 April.

The documentary uses historical footage and photographs, extracts from soldiers’ letters and diaries, and modern-day on-site interviews with Australian and Turkish experts, family members of ANZACs, and young backpackers.

It explores two major ideas: Fiona Gardiner, Andrew Denton and Alf Gardiner • What we can learn from the soldiers themselves about the • What Gallipoli means to Gallipoli in 2006, and through the experience of Gallipoli, using Australians today, explored occasional comments of Australian extracts from the letters of three through the memories, emotions pilgrims to the site. sets of brothers at Gallipoli in and values of relatives of those 1915; and three sets of men, present at

CURRICULUM APPLICABILITY

NOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: the war from the soldiers’ letters and of other evidence. Brothers in Arms is suitable diary entries) and page 12 (for the » Meanings of Gallipoli: Comparing E for use by students at middle- reactions and feelings of the modern the meanings and significance of upper secondary levels in Australian day visitors). Gallipoli for Australians over time. History and English. » Commemorating the event: Step 3 Then, when students have Comparing and analysing the ways In exploring the film, students need to finished watching the film, they can Gallipoli is commemorated on the focus on both the extracts from the work their way through the questions site and in Australia. letters in 1915, and the comments of in the study guide, drawing on the » Future changes and the returning ‘pilgrims’ in 2006. notes they have been making to create developments: Considering how final answers where required. the meaning of Gallipoli may It is suggested that teachers follow change in the future. this sequence in using the film in The study guide asks students to their classrooms: explore these aspects of Gallipoli: In investigating these aspects students are being asked to explore Step 1 Have students complete the » Gallipoli in time and place: the past to illuminate the present, Before watching the film activities, Setting Gallipoli in its World War and to use the understandings they so that they are clear about the One context and location. develop to speculate on possible context of Gallipoli. » The nature of the Gallipoli future developments. experience: Recording what the Step 2 Have students watch the film, letters and diaries of the soldiers The ideas and themes explored are but pause it after every few minutes featured tell us about the nature of raised in the film, but a range of SCREEN EDUCATION at a natural break, and have them the campaign. additional material is provided to discuss what they have seen and » Analysis of representations help students develop informed and heard. They should jot down key of Gallipoli: Comparing the thoughtful responses. points in the tables on page 8 (what representation of Gallipoli that is they discover about the nature of created in this film against a range  Andrew Denton and goondiwindi High School students

BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM

1 THINKING ABOUT very good chance that you will information available in the following SOME KEY CONCEPTS be killed, or terribly wounded. pages to help you understand the What feelings might you have? context of the events at that time. 1 What does Gallipoli mean to What pressures might exist to a young Australian today? make you not go into battle? 2 UNDERSTANDING Brainstorm this question, and What pressures might exist to THE EVENTS OF THE record the main information persuade or force you to be part and ideas from your class of the charge? discussion. In August 1914 German troops You will be able to listen to some invaded Belgium as part of their You will be asked to come back to this voices from the past to understand strategy to attack France along at the end of this unit and see if your how some Australian soldiers felt and its weakest border. Britain, an ally ideas have changed. acted when facing this situation in of France, declared war against 1915. Germany. Australia, as part of the SCREEN EDUCATION 2 Imagine that you were in a war, British Empire, was automatically also and have just been told that As you watch ENOUGH ROPE’S at war. you are about to attack a fierce Gallipoli: Brothers in Arms you enemy – knowing there is a should refer to some of the maps and Other countries also fell in behind  Map 1

the allies they supported – including Europe from Asia – and this Strait was now have to gain access to the Russia with France and Britain, and controlled by Turkey. Black Sea from the Aegean Sea by Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman a landing of troops, who would seize Empire with Germany. 3 On MAP 2 (page 6), identify the the guns overlooking the cliffs of the Dardanelles Strait. Dardanelles, and open the way for The British and French fought the 4 Mark the route ships would have ships to pass through safely. This is Germans on the Western Front – the to take to go from the Aegean what the landing at Gallipoli on 25 western part of Europe. Russia fought Sea to the Black Sea. April 1915 was supposed to achieve. Germany on the Eastern Front, where the two countries shared a border. On 18 March 1915, Britain and France 5 Mark these three stages of the tried to send warships to capture the plan on MAP 3 on page 7: 1 On MAP 1, identify the main Turkish capital Constantinople (now A Land infantry from the sea allies. called Istanbul), so that it could control B Capture the guns 2 Mark the two Fronts the Strait and send supply ships in C Open the Straits to Allied ships with war material for Russia. to go to Constantinople Russia, with a huge population, was not an advanced industrial economy, The Turks had guns along both sides The Australians were part of an so it needed war supplies to be sent of the Strait, and also had mines in the Allied force that was shipped from to it from Britain. The only way to do water, and the British and French force Egypt to the Gallipoli peninsula in SCREEN EDUCATION this was by sea. Russia had a large was forced to retreat, suffering heavy secret. The idea was for the troops to sea port on the Black Sea, but to get losses of men and ships. approach a number of beaches (S, V, there, ships needed to pass through W, X, Y and Kum Kale) under cover the Dardanelles Strait separating This meant that the Allies would of darkness, and then to race inland  Pat Marks and Andrew Denton

and gain control of the peninsula. The Finally, in December 1915 and January After Gallipoli, most Australians Australians were allocated Y beach 1916, the Allies secretly withdrew from went on to the Western Front for the – soon to be known as ANZAC Cove. the peninsula. The Gallipoli campaign remainder of the war, while the Light was over. Horse went to Palestine. In fact, far 6 Mark this strategy on MAP 4 on more Australians died at the Western page 7. The number of dead was: Front than at Gallipoli. Turkey: 86,692 The landings went ahead, but the Allies Britain: 21,255 Now that you understand the were unable to break the Turkish troops France: 9,798 context in which Gallipoli was SCREEN EDUCATION defending the area, and failed to take Australia: 8,709 fought, it is time to explore what the Turkish guns. For the next nine New Zealand: 2,701 happened at Gallipoli and what months the Allies tried periodically to India: 1,358 it means to Australians today, by advance, but the Turkish troops were Newfoundland: 49 watching ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: able to stop every attempt. Brothers in Arms.  SCREEN EDUCATION

Map 2

 SCREEN EDUCATION

 top: Map 3. bottom: map 4 A graveyard at Gallipoli

EXPLORING IDEAS AND ISSUES IN THE FILM

ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers men, present at Gallipoli in 2006. photographs and extracts from the in Arms explores two major ideas: letters and diaries of three sets of These are the major ideas that you brothers who fought at Gallipoli. • What we can learn from the will be looking at in the film, and in the soldiers themselves about the additional resource materials that are We can use this information to create experience of Gallipoli, using included in this study guide. knowledge and understanding of what extracts from the letters of three the experience of Gallipoli in 1915 was sets of brothers at Gallipoli in KEY IDEA 1: THE like for the Australians there. 1915. NATURE OF THE WAR AT • What Gallipoli means to us GALLIPOLI 1 Create a table, or use the one today, explored through the below, to summarize information memories, emotions and values ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers in the film about the nature of of relatives of those three sets of in Arms provides historical film, the war at Gallipoli.

1 Aspect of Gallipoli 2 Letters quoted in the film 3 Other sources

(A) The landing

(B) Nature of the fighting

(C) Nature of living conditions SCREEN EDUCATION

(D) Attitudes to the Turks

Table 1  Andrew Denton and John Boyden

To do this, jot down key information Additional Evidence on …The key was being turned in the lock and ideas in column 2 for each of the Nature of the War at of the lid of hell. Some men crouched the four aspects of the Gallipoli Gallipoli in the crowded boat, some sat up experience listed in column 1. nonchalantly, some laughed and joked, A The landing while others cursed with ferocious The makers of the film have chosen delight … The men were soon mixed certain words and images and The invading troops were rowed in up and not in their expected order. presented these to the viewers to boats from the transport ships to the represent the Gallipoli experience. landing places at Gallipoli. This was Source D done at night, before dawn. A brief pause on the beach to fix There are other views or representations bayonets, and singing ‘This bit of the of the Gallipoli experience. Source A world belongs to us’ and swearing Tell the Colonel the fools have landed and cheering, we charged up a hill The evidence that follows is from us a mile [1.6 kilometres] too far north! so steep in places we could only other Australian soldiers who were at As soon as the first boats landed, the just scramble up it. It was mad, wild, Gallipoli in 1915. Turkish sentries started firing. thrilling. The Turks were able to hold off the attackers. 2 Read these and summarize the Source B key aspects in column 3 of the … some get ashore safely, some are As the day continued, they were able table. hit slightly, others are drowned in only to bring artillery to shell the attackers a couple of feet of water because in as well as shooting at them with rifles When you have done this, compare the excitement no-one notices their and machine guns. the two images or representations plight. that result. What representation Source E of Gallipoli in ENOUGH ROPE’S Source C We were laughing and joking as we SCREEN EDUCATION Gallipoli: Brothers in Arms is ‘Klock-klock-klock. Wee-wee-wee’ went along. The first time fear came presented? How does this differ came the little messengers of death. to me was when we were in a perfect from other representations? Then it opened into a terrific chorus hail of bullets and the men were being

 killed all around me. I felt frightened make a jump for it’ [into the Turkish trench against Turkish attacks. The and, I am not ashamed to say, wanted trench]. I thought they said alright we’ll men beat the enemy off several times, to run away. follow. I sprang to my feet in one jump. despite having little cover against the [At this point of writing his diary this attackers’ rifles and bombs. Corporal Source F soldier was killed.] Burton was killed in the action, and They poured every conceivable sort of Corporal Dunstan and Captain Tubb fire into us. Every five minutes seemed Source C severely wounded. Eventually they an hour and the day seemed it was How the seven Australians won the VC were reinforced and the trench was never coming to an end. Our nerves at Lone Pine: held. were strained to an immense degree, not so much by the noise as by the Lance Corporal Leonard Keysor C Nature of the Living sights we had to witness. These were was in a trench which was being Conditions made the more horrible by the fact heavily bombed by the enemy. He that most of them were our mates who picked up two live bombs and threw Source A we had been in constant company them back, and continued bombing It is funny war here – dug into the with for eight months. It was one long them while wounded, saving the ground like great rabbit warrens, with continuous cry for stretcher bearers. trench from being lost to the enemy. the enemy only forty yards away, in The next day, at the same place, he some places only five away, and also At the end of five days the Australians bombed the enemy out of a position dug in, and often days elapse and you had not achieved their aim. The which was threatening the Australian never see a Turk, in fact … lots of us Turkish defenders were still there. The soldiers in the trench. He was again … haven’t seen one at all yet. plan had failed. The Australians stayed wounded, but he stayed on fighting. for the next eight months, but never He kept throwing bombs for fifty hours Source B advanced beyond where they were on in this way, before being evacuated to One of the greatest difficulties here the first day. hospital. is the shortage of water … I had … the first [shave] for a week and my Speaking of that day, one Australian Private John Hamilton lay on the face was coated with the dust and remembered: ground, protected by only a few grime I had got through all the recent sandbags, shooting at the enemy and fighting and trench digging. After I had Source G shouting to fellow soldiers in a trench finished the water in my mess tin … At last the long day ended and I can where their bombs and firing should [was] muddy … and I washed my face tell you, I never spent nor wish to be directed against the attacking in that and … [then] had my tea out of spend such a long day again. The enemy. The enemy were driven off. the same tin. sights one saw will remain impressed on my memory as long as I live. Lieutenant William Symons was Source C in a trench being attacked by the Immediately I opened … [my tin of (Soldiers’ quotations from Bill Turks. Six officers were quickly killed jam] the flies rushed [it] … all fighting Gammage, The Broken Years, ANU and their trench taken. Symons led a among themselves. I wrapped my Press, Canberra, 1974) charge to retake the trench. He stayed overcoat over the tin and gouged out there and made several charges the flies, then spread the biscuit, held B Nature of the Fighting against attacking forces. my hand over it, and drew the biscuit out of the coat. But a lot of flies flew Source A Captain Alfred Shout and another into my mouth and beat about inside The next thing was charge. (Oh officer attacked a Turkish trench. They … I nearly howled with rage … mummer.) The Turks poured machine operated in short ‘hops’, bombing gun fire, artillery, shrapnel shells, and shooting at the enemy, and Source D and bombs, rifle fire … and the Lord gradually forcing them back. They did We were astounded one morning, only knows what into us. We had to the same thing again later in the day. when crawling out of our dugouts, to get over eighty yards of flat grounds On the final charge Shout, who had see a mass of snow over everything. covered in barbed wire. already been twice wounded earlier Few of the men had seen snow before at Gallipoli, lit three bombs, but one and, like schoolboys, they ran about Source B blew up in his hand. He later died of pelting each other with snowballs. I can’t realize how I got across it. I the injury. Later a bitter wind set in from the seemed to be in a sort of trance. The north, which put an end to frolicking. SCREEN EDUCATION rifle and machine gun fire was hellish Captain , Corporal Clothes which were suitable for the … I yelled out to the other four chaps, and Corporal hot weather had to do for the winter, ‘This is suicide boys. I’m going to had to defend a and every man not on duty went

10 to his dugout, rolled himself in the We’ve seen him flung in, rank on rank, Source E filthy blankets and huddled close to Across the morning sky; A soldier had eight Turks (wounded) his mates for the warmth. Soon the And we’ve had some pretty shooting, to guard he was placing them along freezing wind turned the snow to ice And – he knows the way to die. in a row he said I am only going to and foot troubles arose. Many of the Yes, we’ve seen him dying there in bandage them up, finis Turk. men’s boots were worn out and some front – of us had our toes out in the fresh air. Our own boys died there, too – (Sources B-E from Bill Gammage, The With his poor dark eyes a-rolling, Broken Years, ANU Press, Canberra, Source E Staring at the hopeless blue; 1974) Right beside me, within a space of With his poor maimed arms a- fifteen feet, I can count fourteen of our stretching 3 Is the representation of Gallipoli boys stone dead. Ah! it is a piteous To the God we both can name … in ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: sight. Men and boys who yesterday And it fairly tore our hearts out; Brothers in Arms a fair and were full of joy and life, now lying But it’s in the beastly game. accurate one? Explain your there, cold – cold – dead – their So … We will judge you, Mr Abdul, reasons. eyes glassy, their faces sallow and By the test by which we can – 4 Can we really know what it was covered with dust – soulless – gone That with all your breath, in life, in like for people at Gallipoli in – somebody’s son, somebody’s boy death, the past? Discuss the extent – now merely a thing. Thank God that You’ve played the gentleman. to which you think we can, and their loved ones cannot see them now cannot. – dead, with the blood congealed or (C.E.W. Bean, from The Anzac Book) 5 Andrew Denton says that his oozing out. overwhelming emotion at Source B Gallipoli is anger. From your Source F Edward was a gaunt old Turk who understanding now of the From My Trench used to come out of his trench every experiences and attitudes of the A clear, cold night, and in the southern morning to gather firewood (our chaps soldiers, how do you think they air never fired a shot for a long while). might respond to this? Those far-off thunderings so often They used to chuck him tins of bully 6 Prepare a TV news report on the there; and he’d say salaam and thank them. soldiers’ experience of Gallipoli. A Turkish moon is shining fitfully – Poor old Edward died a sudden death You should consider using My thoughts are ‘neath another moon one morning when a new lot came into extracts from the film as visuals where we the trenches. during your report. Paced slowly through the tree stems – you and I. Source C KEY IDEA 2: And, looking back at yon farewell, I They … are playing the game like men. COMMEMORATION AND sigh … Any of our men they pick up, they MEANING And wonder whether then I cared as are said to treat skilfully, and humanely, much and prisoners are treated in the best The letters of the sets of brothers at As now I do when far beyond your fashion. Gallipoli tell us about the past – the touch. nature of the war at Gallipoli. Corporal Comus, 2nd Bat., AIF. Source D The Turks ‘played the game’ by History is about the past, but it can (From The Anzac Book, 1916 (Source keeping the terms of the armistice, also help us understand the present. I), Ion L. Idriess, The Desert Column, and thereafter the Australians Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1932 regarded him almost affectionately, The second major idea that ENOUGH (Source F) and Bill Gammage, The christening him ‘Jacko’ or ‘Abdul’ or ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers in Arms Broken Years, CUP, Canberra 1974. ‘Johnny Turk’, and communicating explores is that of commemoration (Sources A-E, G-H) with him frequently during the and meaning – what ceremonies we fighting. Particularly after August, have, and what they are telling us D Attitudes to the Turks they threw bully beef and condensed about what meaning Gallipoli has milk in exchange for boiled onions, for us today. The interviews with the Source A and swapped cigarettes, knives, relatives of those brothers, Andrew Abdul photographs and badges between the Denton’s comments and the behaviour We’ve heard the twigs a-crackling, lines. Men sometimes walked safely and words of the visitors to the site, SCREEN EDUCATION As we crouched upon our knees, into No Man’s Land and even to the show us some of these meanings. And his big, black shape went opposing trenches to retrieve gifts smashing, thrown short. History can also light the way to the Like a rhino, through the trees. future. By understanding what has 11 happened in the past, and what is day present and possible future elements. happening today, we can also start • How it is commented on by the to make educated guesses about the media Past future – in this case, what Gallipoli • What ideas are associated with it. might mean to us in 2030. Andrew Denton feels anger today at Prepare a report on it. the loss of the men. Did the families But start by thinking about the nature of the men also feel anger about their of commemoration that we see in Past loss back in 1915, or did they respond ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers differently? We have some clues in Arms. Gallipoli has not always been to answer these questions. We see celebrated and commemorated in Andrew Denton and others walking Commemoration the way we know it today. It has gone among inscribed headstones. The through a number of stages. Here are words on the headstones were chosen Present some of the key stages over time, but by the families of the dead men. These they are not in a chronological order inscriptions can tell us a lot about the ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers that tells the story of how Gallipoli has feelings, attitudes and values of the in Arms shows us some of the been commemorated. (See Table 2 on relatives at that time. commemorative ceremonies held at page 13.) Gallipoli. 7 Look at the following 4 Re-arrange them to create a inscriptions on Australian 1 Describe these. Where are they? coherent chronological narrative headstones at Gallipoli (below What do we see? How do people of changing attitudes to Gallipoli and continued on page 14) and react to them? and ANZAC Day over time in decide what they tell you about Australia. the soldier, and their family’s Gallipoli is also commemorated in response to their death in war. Australia on ANZAC Day. We do not Future Beside each, write the main see any ceremonies in Australia in ideas, values or attitudes that ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers What will you see on ANZAC Day in these epitaphs express. in Arms, but as a class you will have a the future? Will there continue to be lot of knowledge about what happens a solemn dawn service, and some For example you might decide that on this day. form of march or ceremony? If you one epitaph expresses pride, or look at your local war memorial, will patriotism, or a sense of valuing civic 2 As a class, brainstorm to you still see flowers and wreaths, in duty, or mateship, or developing list the key features of these remembrance of those who died? national identity, or loss, or bitterness ceremonies. What is the tone of Will there be new wars that are being – or several of these at once. these commemorations? commemorated? 3 You can test these ideas by ABBOT Private Claude Walter, actually observing the next 5 Look back at the aspects of Killed in action 29 May 1915, aged 24 ANZAC Day in your community ANZAC Day in your community Greater Love in the following way: that you investigated in question Hath No Man Than This 3 above, and suggest possible Imagine that you are an outsider, a changes that might occur in the ADDISON Private George Albert, visitor to Australia, here during an future to each aspect. Died of wounds 24 August 1915, aged ANZAC Day. You want to understand 6 Do you think that Gallipoli and 36 what it is about, and what ‘messages’ the ANZAC tradition might In Sad And Loving Memory about Australia it gives. Does ANZAC be more important, or less Of My Dear Husband Day now apply to all Australians – to important to Australians in the And Our Dear Father men, women, children, people of future? Explain your reasons. different ethnic origins or to recent ABERNETHY Private Arthur, migrants? Is it an all-encompassing Meaning Killed in action 2 May 1915, aged 25 day? Look for such things as: His Life For His Country ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: Brothers • Who is actively involved in Arms is very much about what ADAMS Sergeant Douglas Bernard • Who watches Gallipoli means to Australians. The Matthew, SCREEN EDUCATION • Where events are focused meanings that Gallipoli and ANZAC Died of wounds 7 July 1915, aged 18 • What words are used about them Day have for Australians has changed A Bright Young Life • What symbols are present over time. Once again we can explore Sacrificed On The Altar • What music is associated with the these meanings by looking at past, Of Duty. So Dearly Loved 12 A need for a Every nation seems to need a myth, or an image of itself, that it can look to with pride and recognition. The message myth is not necessarily ‘I am that person’, but rather ‘I am part of the society which can produce that person, and I share in those qualities’. The image or myth has to be based in some reality, but that reality need not be common to all those who share in it.

A new people Australia had no experience on the world stage before 1914. People were anxious about who they were, and how they would stand when tested against the established order.

A representative While the first army was only 50,000 men, manyA ustralians had some connection – as relative, friend, or work-mate group – of someone in that army. So it was a representative body. The soldiers accepted the praise, and it provided a standard for them for the rest of the war – survivors wore a brass A for ANZAC on their sleeve for the rest of the war, making it obvious to all that they were considered special.

ANZAC Day 1916 Right from the firstAN ZAC Day in 1916 messages of national identity and pride were being expressed. These sorts of ideas were echoed in The ANZAC Book, a collection of drawings and articles from Gallipoli which was sold throughout Australia.

Attendance at Ever since the 1980s crowds watching the parade have been growing rather than declining, and there are many young ceremonies people attending dawn ceremonies. The wars are an important and popular part of most states’ and territories’ second- ary school curricula, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the have produced many important collections of documents and resources for a study of the wars.

Australia Re- The 1995 Australia Remembers year for the fiftieth anniversary of the ending ofW orld War Two also focused attention members on Australia’s military heritage.

Behaviour of the The soldiers fought with skill and courage at Gallipoli, and then on the Western front and in Palestine. That is the es- troops sential element of the ANZAC legend.

National holiday The day became an official national holiday in the 1920s, and school children read about the feats of theAN ZACs in their school readers.

Post-Vietnam In 1987 the ‘Welcome Home’ parade for Vietnam veterans seemed to show a change in attitude towards recognition of – Welcome Australians’ military service in this war. Home Parade

Seventy-fifth The seventy-fifth anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli in 1990 and the associated pilgrimages again focused attention Anniversary on the few remaining Gallipoli veterans, who were now treated like heroes.

The One Day of In the 1960s, a famous and influential play byA lan Seymour, The One Day of the Year, brutally represented ANZAC Day the Year as an occasion for a few old diggers to make public fools of themselves as they became embarrassingly drunk. This image of ANZAC Day seemed to be held by many young people.

Vietnam War The Vietnam War was supported by most Australians, but opposed by increasing numbers as it continued. Many people criticized the troops for being involved. During the 1970s peace slogans were painted on the Melbourne Shrine on the eve of ANZAC Day, and much attention was paid to feminist/pacifist anti-ANZAC Day marches.

Western Front The reputation and qualities that were seen at Gallipoli were seen again on the Western Front. Most Australian soldiers served on the Western Front, so the image was not only confined to those relatively few who had actually landed at

Gallipoli. SCREEN EDUCATION

World War Two In World War Two many of the first recruits were the sons ofAN ZACs, and they saw themselves as carrying on the tradi- tions. They also provided ‘new blood’ for the ANZAC Day ceremonies and marches of the 1950s and 1960s.

13 Table 2: Changes over time in Australian attitudes towards Gallipoli / ANZAC Day ALLEN Private Con Harold, A Good Citizen STRANG Private William Andrew, Killed in action 1 May 1915, aged 26 A Brave Man Killed in action 25 April 1915 - 29 April For Empire, Honour And Liberty 1915, aged 33. CRIBB Private Keith Norman, Some Day BAKER Private Alexander John, Killed in action 7 August 1915 - 12 We Will Understand Killed in action 10 November 1915, August 1915, aged 20 aged 20 Their Glory Shall Not 8 Discuss your response to these A Soldier And A Man He Died Be Blotted Out headstones. Do any of the Honored By All emotions surprise you? His Country’s Pride CURRIE Private Charles Chetwynd, Killed in action 8 August 1915 - 9 Present BALDWIN Private Alfred, August 1915, aged 21 Killed in action 25 April 1915 - 2 May Greater Love Hath No Man 9 What does Gallipoli mean to 1915, aged 24 He Laid Down His Life the people featured in the film? Just One Of For His Friends See Table 3 on page 17. Jot The Gallant Band down the main things that the A.N.Z.A.C. CURRIE Private Thomas, people listed in the table learn Killed in action 27 October 1915, aged about the events at Gallipoli BARCLAY Private John Edward, 20 by being on the spot, and the Killed in action 21 June 1915, aged 22 Far From Home reactions, feelings, responses I’ve No Darling Now And All That Love Him and meanings to Gallipoli that I’m Weeping Here Lies A Noble Lad they express. Baby & I You Left Alone D’ALTON Private Charles Edward, In ENOUGH ROPE’S Gallipoli: BURTON Private Henry James, Killed in action 6 August 1915, aged Brothers in Arms we see many young Died of wounds 30 November 1915, 24 people at Gallipoli. aged 18 Tried To Do Their Duty Only A Boy But Died As Were Not Afraid To Die 10 Discuss what they say in the film A Man For Liberty And Freedom That Others Might Live about Gallipoli: Why are they His Mum & Dad there? What do they expect from DONNELLY Private George William, it? How do they behave during CAMERON Lance Corporal Gordon Killed in action 29 November 1915, the various ceremonies? What Peter, aged 28 do they say it means to them? Killed in action 12 July 1915, aged 24 He Died A Hero Why do you think Gallipoli would A Dinkum Aussie Fighting For His King & Country have this meaning for them? To Keep Australia Free. 11 Many of these young people are CAPPS Corporal Arthur, wrapped in the Australian flag. Is Killed in action 2 May 1915, aged 29 HECHLE Private George, this a patriotic and nationalistic Some Day, Some Time Killed in action 29 May 1915, aged 33 act? Or is it glorifying the event, We’ll Understand. Deeds Not Words an excessive patriotic spirit? Mother Discuss your ideas. MYCHAEL Driver Archibald John, 12 Which of the ideas, values and COMPTON Private Reginald Clyde, Killed in action 21 August 1915, aged attitudes about Gallipoli shown Killed in action 19 September 1915, 22 in the film, and in the comments aged 26 Answered The Call below, do you think will be most He Heard A Cable Tells A Son Was relevant to future generations His Country’s Call Killed At The Dardanelles of Australians? Explain your reasons. CONNETT Private Herman Oswald, RUSH Trooper Harold, Killed in action 6 August 1915, aged Killed in action 7 August 1915, aged Future 35 23 Our Daddy Died His Last Words Read the following recent comments For Britain And Us Goodbye Cobber and ideas (pages 15-17) from a God Bless You variety of people about aspects of the SCREEN EDUCATION COOK Private Reginald Hastings, meaning of ANZAC Day and Gallipoli Killed in action 25 November 1915, SCOTT Corporal George Phillip, for them. They reflect the knowledge, aged 22 Killed in action 24 May 1915, aged 31. ideas, values and attitudes of the A Good Son For Democracy individual authors. 14 Additional Evidence Source D Source F on the Meaning of the It is fitting and moving that this Gallipoli is sometimes said to mark the Gallipoli generation of young Australians is the true birth of the Australian nation … first that really seems to understand Source A the reality of what we asked our It is more accurate to say that Australia Traditional qualities that Australians Gallipoli veterans to do on our behalf. became a nation at Federation still value today, even in the face More and more of them are making and that the events at Gallipoli of our increasingly industrialised, the pilgrimage to ANZAC Cove in built national pride and confidence diverse and multicultural society, were Turkey for the dawn service. As they and marked a turning point in the perhaps no more apparent than during look at the steep scrubby cliffs and try relationship with Britain … war time. Gallipoli is an excellent to imagine how they’d cope climbing example of how being an ordinary them into saturation Turkish fire, and Its commemoration over eighty-seven young Australian demonstrated these as they sleep among the row upon years shows that it, unlike Federation, qualities of courage, determination, row of headstones, young Australians touches deep chords in the nation’s sacrifice and mateship, by a are saddened and moved in a way psyche … willingness to give their lives in a cause their more jingoistic parents and they knew little about. grandparents were not. Sir William Deane, the former Governor-General, tried to find the (An extract from a student essay on The legacy Gallipoli has left them is words: ‘ANZAC is … about courage, Gallipoli and ANZAC Day by Brittanie a legacy of pride, but not the sort and endurance, and duty, and Lee Erwin, St Margaret’s School, of pride that relies on puffed-up mateship, and good humour, and the Berwick, in Agora vol 34 no 4, 1999, stereotypes of the ‘Bronzed Hellenic survival of a sense of self-worth: the p.34.) Warriors’. It’s the pride of being sum of those human and national descendants of men who endured values which our pioneers found in the Source B what no one should ever be asked to raw bush of a new world and tested I think that as we’ve moved into this endure, and who did it because they in the old world for the first time at new century, that continually going felt they had no choice. Gallipoli. back to the First World War and certainly the digger himself as being Lest we forget. ‘It is about the spirit, the depth, the typically Australian – I mean, it’s very essence of our nation. And it is inherently masculine, it’s an aggressive (David Williamson, playwright and about sadness and grief for young figure and I suspect it doesn’t hold writer of the screenplay for the 1981 lives cut short and dreams left that much relevance to a lot of people filmGallipoli , The Australian, 17 May unfulfilled. And the horror and carnage in our current society today. 2002) of war.’ …

(Dale Blair, historian, author of Dinkum Source E (Tony Stephens, journalist, The Age, Diggers, a study of the war experience Three students’ opinions: 17 May 2002) of one Australian battalion during WW1, Lateline, 24 April 2001) Roberto Raphael, 11, Grade 6: It’s Source G just a day that I remember for the But I wonder about the March. Source C soldiers that gave their lives for us. I Groups never allowed to march The memory of what those men don’t know much about the history. I when there were enough returned did has faded, but what they stand just remember them because it would men – people who served in wartime for has widened. Returned soldiers have been very scary. Australia, defence force personnel, have become symbols. They reflect peacekeepers, police, cadets, scouts, times and attitudes gone, conveying Ewen Bramble, 17, Year 12: To marching girls, community service something of what it is to be me ANZAC Day seems more of a groups – are now a growing majority Australian. The tradition of ANZAC will celebration of Australian nationalism of marchers. They lack the veterans’ outlive those who made it, because it as much as a day to devote to people symbolic power, their evocation of is no longer simply about them. It is that have done service for Australia. tradition. The March is replacing men about us. proud to march as civilians with people Chris Burdon, 11, Grade 6: So many in uniform. The result is something (Bill Gammage, author of The Broken Australian people died for us. I don’t approaching Moomba, or what might Years, a study of the Australian know too much about the history but I lead a circus into a country town, SCREEN EDUCATION soldiers’ experience in World War I as want to thank them. or, most damning of all, what might revealed through diaries and letters, happen on Australia Day. Once too few The Australian, 17 May 2002) (Herald Sun, 18 May 2002) veterans remain to inspire the March,

15 I doubt whether it will ­ or should The march should be transformed identity all Australians share is that – continue. in tone so that it works as a warning provided by our commitment to a against war rather than a celebration democratic constitutional framework (Bill Gammage, The Australian, 17 May of it. If children are to replace their for resolving our differences. This was 2002) dead fathers and grandfathers in the set down in 1901. march, how about not only scouring Source H the cupboards for grandad’s medals To honour the memory of those The ex-service community is ageing, but also getting under the house and who have died in the service of their and the once great strength of the locating the souvenired body parts that country is a good thing. But it is RSL is diminishing. The RSL sees it as some grandads seem to have brought another thing to say that this defines vital that the tradition of ANZAC Day back from the war, such as the Turkish us as a nation. It is a myth that as a day of remembrance continues skull that was discovered recently on a excludes many, not just women but all to be carried on appropriately. To this Victorian farm? Let the children march who are not personally nourished by end, legislation is essential to cement with those to emphasise the horrors its imagery. It is a myth that reinforces this day in our national calendar and and waste of war. the regrettable view that law and preserve its commemorative character. democratic politics are not noble (David Day, The Australian, 7 June alternatives to war. (Submission by RSL to Parliamentary 2002) Review of ANZAC Day Laws Chapter (Helen Irving, author of the Federation 4 – Policy Considerations) Source J book To Constitute a Nation, Weekend It really came home to you to see all Australian, 27 April 2001) Source I those names on the wall and to also Ever since April 1916, when the think they’re not just names, they’re Source L first anniversary of the landings was like, someone’s brother or someone’s We do not know this Australian’s name commemorated, the story of Gallipoli husband or, you know, someone’s and we never will. has been used by conservative forces friend and walking through the graves to buttress their power and ideology also, they were like, just my age or a We do not know where he was born, … bit older, bit younger, and that really nor precisely how and when he was quite emotional and moving too. died. We do not know his age or his On its creation, it was welcomed by Like there was just grave after grave circumstances – whether he was from Australians because it seemed to that was 17, 18, 21, 22 and their life the city or the bush; what occupation confirm their martial prowess as a race was over and you know ours is just he left to become a soldier; what … sort of beginning. religion, if he had a religion; if he was married or single. We do not know Even though it occurred a world away, (Young woman, Justine, at the Dawn who loved him, or whom he loved. If Gallipoli finally gave Australians a Service at Gallipoli, 25 April 2000) he had children we do not know who battle to celebrate, with the overblown they are. His family is lost to us as he reports of the fighting being lapped up Source K was lost to them. We will never know by newspaper readers … Federation is worthy of greater glory who this Australian was. than Gallipoli ANZAC Day … risks becoming an Yet he has always been among almost Moomba-like procession that It is heretical, I know. But, Australia’s those whom we have honoured. We increasingly tends to celebrate and nationhood was not forged at Gallipoli. know that he was one of the 45 000 romanticise war … Neither was Australia’s identity. It was Australians who died on the Western not a coming of age. Neither was it a Front. One of the 416 000 Australians Just as the youth before World War baptism. Nor any of the other cliches who volunteered for service in the One were imbued with notions of we hear repeated at this time of the First World War. One of the 100 000 the glory to be won on behalf of the year. Australians who have died in wars this empire, modern day Australian youths century. are being imbued each ANZAC Day There is no single identity for with romantic visions of the glory Australians. There never was, He is all of them. And he is one of us. to be won on distant battlefields. It even in the pre-multicultural days. is time to rethink the way that we Longstanding Australian customs This Unknown Australian is not commemorate the sacrifices that were include the celebration of ANZAC interred here to glorify war over peace; SCREEN EDUCATION made back then without neglecting Day, but they include much more or to assert a soldier’s character above to question whether all of them were besides and can never be summed up a civilian’s; or one race or one nation necessary or in Australia’s interests. in a single myth … The only enduring or one religion above another; or men

16 above women; or the war in which he have lost in war and what we have and our democracy, and a deeper fought and died above any other war; gained. understanding of what it means to be or of one generation above any that Australian. has been or will come later. We have lost more than 100,000 lives, and with them all their love of (Paul Keating, extracts from a speech The Unknown Soldier honours the this country and all their hope and at the entombment of the Unknown memory of all those men and women energy. We have gained a legend; a Australian Soldier, 1993) who laid down their lives for Australia. story of bravery and sacrifice and, His tomb is a reminder of what we with it, a deeper faith in ourselves

Name What they learn How they respond

Pat Marks

Ashley Ekins

Alf and Fiona Gardiner

John Boyden

Kernan Çelik

Andrew Denton

Table 3

Conclusions

Having watched ENOUGH ROPE’S pilgrims today 3 What does Gallipoli mean to you Gallipoli: Brothers in Arms: • seeing the terrain and geog- now? Prepare a statement that raphy? could be read out at an ANZAC 1 What has been the value in your 2 Has watching the film: Day school ceremony. You might knowledge and understanding of • Increased your knowledge also select a scene or several Gallipoli from: and understanding of Gal- extracts from the film to illus- SCREEN EDUCATION • hearing soldiers’ letters lipoli? trate and support your state- • seeing historic film and foot- • Increased your empathy ment. age towards the soldiers’ experi- • hearing the comments of ences? 17 FURTHER INFORMATION

Two other excellent recent docu- There are many books available on Two excellent websites for an explo- mentaries about Gallipoli are: Gallipoli. Two of the best are: ration of Gallipoli are: • Gallipoli (Tolga Örnek, 2005) • Bill Gammage, The Broken Years, • ANZAC Day Commemoration • Revealing Gallipoli (Wain Fimeri, Penguin. Committee (Queensland): 2005) • Harvey Broadbent, Gallipoli – The http://www.anzacday.org.au Both have ATOM study guides to Fatal Shore, Viking. • Department of Veterans’ Affairs: accompany them – at http://www. http://www.anzacsite.gov.au metromagazine.com.au

This study guide was produced by ATOM (©ATOM) [email protected] For more information on Screen Education magazine or to download other free study guides visit www.metromagazine.com.au For hundreds of articles on Film as Text, Screen Literacy, Multiliteracy and Media Studies, visit www.theeducationshop.com.au Notice: An educational institution may make copies of all or part of this study guide, provided that it only makes and uses copies as reasonably required for its own educational, non-commercial, classroom pur- poses and does not sell or lend such copies. SCREEN EDUCATION

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