Bravery is a word that gets thrown around haphazardly in the modern world – often used to describe the extraordinary feats of sports people and the like.
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But the modern understanding of the word pales in comparison to the bravery that many young men showed when they volunteered to go to a foreign field and fight their country a century ago.
They came from cities and towns across Australia – many of them still teenagers looking for honour, an adventure or to do their communities and families proud. Many never returned.
A new book, titled Dawn Service, tells the stories of some Hunter men who left the comforts of home to go to war, where they died.
In our hyper-connected society it can be easy to forget that communication was limited in the early 20th century. When young men went to fight in the first World War, letters and telegrams were the only contact they had with loved ones – for years in some cases. This was a key factor in stories like that of Paterson man, Private Arthur Earnest Keppie.
Private Keppie, who was one of the first men to enlist to fight in World War I, was killed in action on August 26, 1915, a day after the infamous Gallipoli landing.
But it was more than a year before Private Keppie’s family discovered his fate back home.
They waited 18 months for his death to be confirmed. His mother died not knowing that her son had been killed on the battlefield.
Stories like Private Keppie’s show the personal, human tragedy of the devastating global conflict that’s etched into our national identity. And this is just one story, of one man and his family. There are countless others.
Monday marks the second Anzac Day of the four year centenary commemorations. Given the bravery of men like Private Keppie, it’s no wonder the legend and spirit of the Anzac lives on. Anzac Day is a time to recognise everyone who has served in conflict – whether they fought and died or survived and returned home.
Whether you’re having a barbecue with friends, going to watch the footy or attending a dawn service on Monday, remember that regular people with exceptional courage, like Private Keppie, were willing to give up everything in the name of the freedoms we enjoy today.
