lest we forget

My Grandfather was a lovely man.  When we were kids, we knew he had fought in the war but we didn't know a lot of details.  Back then, talking about your feelings and experiences was definitely not the done thing.  

Tasman Cyril Robert Woolcott (Rob for short!)

NZ Army Number 35574

Private

NZA Secondary Expeditionary Force

19th NZA Infantry Battalion

So we grew up  knowing that Grandad had gone to war.  Not because he talked to us about is, but because every ANZAC Day he would get up early and attend the Dawn Service in town.  He would then walk from town to the very top of the Cashmere Hills (in Christchurch, NZ) It was a long walk and probably took him several hours to complete.   I never knew why he did that.  I never asked.  And he never said.**

Last year, I began researching my Grandad's war history.  It is an amazing story.  He fought in several WW2 campaigns in Africa, drove NZ war hero Charles Upham into enemy lines, was captured by the Germans, spent several years in some of the toughest POW camps in Italy and Germany and was awarded 4 medals for his service to his country.  It is a story that will remain with me forever.  And one that I wish I knew about when my Grandad was still alive.  For if it was not for the bravery, heroics and somewhat naivety of my Grandfather and the thousands of other New Zealand and Australian soldiers who left their families behind to fight in hideous warfare, we most certainly would not be enjoying the incredible life we all have today.

My Grandfather's medals.

1939 - 1945 Star, Africa Star, 1939 - 1945 War Medal, NZ War Service Medal

Today, on ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the men and women 

who fought for our country all those years ago. 

 They were absolute heroes.  

And always will be.  

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

** This is why my Grandad walked up to the top of the hill every ANZAC Day.

There was a memorial for his battalion there.

We lived 5 minutes from this memorial as a child,

and I knew nothing about it.

But I am making sure that my children know everything about it.

So that the ANZAC spirit lives on forever

xox