Today we pay tribute to soldiers

Lest We Forget

ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand is here once again, it is a public holiday, a day devoted for the country to recognise, reflect, admire and honour the brave men and women who have fought and still fight.

War is incredibly destructive in every way and I am sure I am not alone in thinking this. There are so many very sad individual stories worldwide that adds to the tragedy of war.

Here is one such story, one that is part of the Australian war stories. My post was inspired by a Major who officiated at a Catholic High School in a Queensland Anzac Day service two weeks ago on behalf of the Australian Army. I thank the Major for his continuing service.

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The story is about Private James Martin who lived in country New South Wales, a school army cadet very eager to join up to fight in World War One. His father was rejected for medical reasons. The legal age to enlist in the any of defence forces in this period of history was 21. Young teenagers aged between 14 to 17 were allowed to join the army with parental permission They were assigned roles of musicians, trumpeters and buglers. James eventually persuaded his mother to give him permission to join the army as a soldier. Sadly there were many teenagers who like James falsified their ages.

He departed from Australia with the 21st Infantry Battalion on 28 June 1915, after several months of training. James's transport ship was torpedoed by a German submarine which resulted in James spending hours in the water before being rescued. On 7 September he landed in Galliope and was sent to a place called Wire Gully, called this as the land was surround by wire to deter Turk attacks

This was a relatively quiet period of war, there wasnot much fighting but due to the flies, mosquitoes, dirty water and food shortages James contracted Typhoid Fever. He was evacuated to a hospital ship and due to the advanced stage of his illness and having lost half his body weight James died 2 hours later. He was only 14.9 years old.

While not the youngest to serve in World War One, James is considered the youngest to die in active duty in Australia. My heart goes out to his parents, particularly his mother who gave him permission to join the army.

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The ANZAC spirit is doing what is right, accepting responsibility and looking after your mates is the last message the Major gave his young youthful audience. Hopefully a message that had a positive impact on them, something to think about.

I believe no matter our age, old or young it is difficult to understand the concept of war, its tragedy, grief and waste of lives. This is why Private James Martin's story is extra tragic. But all the lives lost in the wars are tragic as is all the veterans returning home with physical, mental, emotional illnesses, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is very common. Adapting to civilian life is no easy task.

I pray for all countries who are currently at war.
I pray for world peace.
I pray that we never forget the mindless destruction of war.*

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On a lighter and happier note, Anzac biscuits are traditionally cooked in honour of ANZAC Day and while they are Australian I suspect many in overseas countries may have not only tasted some but cooked a batch or two.

The recipe I am sharing is one I was given when I was in my Catholic High School grade 8 Home Science class in 1966. I wrote the recipe in my book and laugh now at my 13 year old handwriting. I noticed that I missed out writing Anzac Biscuits at the top of the recipe. How funny!

Check it out

I have successfully cooked trillions of batches of delicious Anzac Biscuits over the last 41 years. My children loved them as do my grand children. Let me know how you go if you decide to cook a batch.

How nice it would be to enjoy a coffee or tea around a table as we eat an Anzac bikkie or two.

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Regards to lovely and thank @lizelle and the Silver Bloggers Community for your hard work managing this tag.

I am finishing with a flower because to me it is the most apt ending for a post about wars, fighting, violence and death. Flowers are beauty, peace, love and purity created by Mother Nature, simply for our pleasure. How pretty are their colours and how serenely sweet are their scents.

Always grateful wonderful @dswigle for bring #alwaysaflower tag to Hive.