Lest we forget
Celebrated since 1916, Anzac Day is a crucial part of our Australian cultural identity that marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, when soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps set out on the morning of 25 April to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. Wesley students carried the banner of the 37th Battalion, 3rd Division Australian Imperial Forces, a tradition that goes back to 1963 when Wesley cadets first carried the banner in the Anzac Day March as the Colour Party.
The original banner was destroyed in the 1989 fire at the St Kilda Road Campus. A new banner was created in 2018 so that Wesley students once again are able to march on behalf of the 37th Battalion as the Colour Party. Students also attended services across all campuses.
Orthopaedic surgeon and Group Captain Annette Holian spoke at this year’s Anzac Day service at the Glen Waverley Campus, while Major Wendy Jeffrey and Flying Officer Emma Elliot spoke at Anzac Day services at the St Kilda Road Campus. At this year’s Anzac Day service at the Elsternwick Campus, students listened to the words of Harry Carter (OW1908), who wrote to then Headmaster, LA Adamson.
Dear Mr. A.,
Please accept all good wishes from self and Old Wesley Collegians under my command.
We land in an enemy country after midnight, perhaps under fire, so have taken this chance to wish you and our fine old School every success.
We have a tedious job before us, as we have to land in pontoons and small boats, but the boys have 200 rounds of the best each, and are happier than they have ever been since leaving Australia.
It is impossible to realise that anything unusual awaits us in a few hours.
On behalf of the boys, again wishing you and the ‘School we knew’ every success.
I am,
Yours sincerely,
Harry Carter.
