Just a few to mention are the Eurobodalla Serviceman’s Association for organising the Hercules fly-by, The Narooma RSL sub-branch for organising the Lighthorse diorama at Club Narooma, Bermagui RSL sub-branch for installing the new benches and of course the committee organising the Tilba Anzac display.

A member of that committee, Harry Bate, in addition to writing extensively for the display and our special edition today, has given his take on “Why we were at Gallipoli”:

After the start of World War 1 in July/August 1914, Russia, then Britain, declared war on Turkey in November.  This led a few months later to a plan largely proposed by Winston Churchill to seize control of the Dardanelles.

This would be strategically extremely valuable by giving aggressive access to the Turkish capital Constantinople, and Turkey’s industrial base, but also a supply route to the Russian southern sea ports, thus assisting their ally on the Eastern Front against Germany.

However, the Strait was heavily defended and in difficult to attack terrain.  Despite being aware of possible shortcomings in this approach, Britain, assisted by France, proceeded with Naval attacks in February and March 1915.  They were completely repulsed by the Turks.

The British then decided that ground forces were required to supplement any Naval attack, and decided to allocate not only British and French troops, but also divert Australian and New Zealand troops who were training in Egypt and had been destined for the Western Front.