Another Spectrum

Personal ramblings and rants of a somewhat twisted mind

Tag Archives: ANZAC


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Remembering Differently: Aotearoa’s evolving ANZAC Day narrative

For me, ANZAC Day (April 25th) is a time of mixed emotions and deep reflection. As a Quaker and a committed pacifist, I oppose war and its preparations, yet I honour those who risked—and often sacrificed—their lives for causes they believed were worthy. I cannot condone the violence of war, but I do respect the courage it takes to stand up for one’s moral convictions.

I respect my father’s decision to enlist during the Second World War. While I respect his commitment, I admire even more his courage in facing certain court-martial when he refused to obey orders he considered morally indefensible. Orders that, if carried out by the Axis, would have been later deemed war crimes. His stand has always resonated with me, a reminder that honour sometimes means resisting even the most established demands.

This morning, as I have done regularly since my parents’ passing, I attended the ANZAC Dawn Parade and Service in the town square of Feilding alongside thousands of local residents. This year, I was joined by our granddaughter on a cold but calm morning—quite a contrast to last year’s gusty, freezing, and drizzly start when my wife, daughter, and two grandsons kept me company. We left home at 5:45 a.m. in the dark, walking the two kilometres to Manchester Square, reaching there about 6:20 a.m.

Perhaps the bracing weather helped last year’s speeches feel more inspiring, with a strong call to action to reduce the causes of war. The diversity of voices then brought their messages to life. In comparison, today’s service featured only three speakers and left me feeling disappointed. The highlight was a speech on ANZAC values by a senior student from the local high school—a nod to principles I hold dear. The other two speakers, our local MP and the district council mayor, delivered the usual political platitudes, which seemed devoid of the substance and heartfelt reflection that this day deserves. My granddaughter and I returned home around 7:45 a.m. feeling let down by the lack of genuine inspiration.

A changing perspective: A personal observation:

Over the decades, New Zealand’s commemoration of ANZAC Day has evolved significantly. Originally, it was a solemn occasion focused solely on honouring the sacrifices of soldiers—especially those at Gallipoli in 1915. With time, however, the tone has shifted toward a more inclusive and reflective celebration that does not shy away from acknowledging the horrors of war and its lasting impact on both individuals and communities.

I’ve noticed that while 109 years ago ANZAC Day carried a shared meaning for Australians and New Zealanders, our perspectives have gradually diverged. In Australia, the day has moved from a focus on mourning to a celebration of mateship, courage, and endurance, even national p[ride. In Aotearoa, however, the emphasis now leans more towards inclusivity, reflection, and the recognition of all those affected by conflict—including the often-overlooked contributions of Māori and the scars left by mass violence.

I suspect that the anti-war, feminist, and Māori rights protests of the 1970s and 1980s played a significant role in reshaping New Zealand’s approach. These groups challenged the glorification of war and uncritical heroism, paving the way for a broader social criticism. Today, New Zealanders commemorate ANZAC Day without glorifying military violence or fixating on an ‘enemy other’ as the basis of our national identity.

Though there have been changes in Australia too, they seem to me less pronounced than in New Zealand. As each nation continues to redefine its identity and its relationship with the past, I remain grateful that New Zealand’s evolving perspective is increasingly aligned with my own contemplative approach. I’m interested to hear from any Australian readers—how has your experience and interpretation of ANZAC Day changed over time?


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The Dilemma of Commemoration: ANZAC Day Through a Quaker Lens

Attending this morning’s Dawn service gave me time to reflect on my attitude to commemorating war. The following article was formulated while standing in the dark and cold and polished off with a little help from Copilot in the warmth and comfort of my home office.

As dawn breaks on ANZAC Day, a solemn silence envelops the crowd gathered to honour the memory of those who fought and died for New Zealand. The day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and peace. Yet, for some, like the Quakers, the commemoration stirs a complex mix of emotions. 

Quakers, known for our commitment to pacifism, hold a deep conviction that war and preparation for war are fundamentally wrong. This belief is rooted in the principle of non-violence and the pursuit of peaceful resolutions to conflict. It’s a stance that often places us at odds with the traditional narratives of valour and heroism associated with military service. 

In New Zealand, ANZAC Day has evolved to emphasise the losses and tragedies of war, reflecting a national consciousness that mourns the cost of conflict rather than celebrating its martial aspects. This shift aligns more closely with the Quaker perspective, which acknowledges the courage of those willing to risk their lives while advocating for a world where such sacrifices are no longer necessary. 

The white poppy, often worn by Quakers in the days leading up to ANZAC Day, symbolises this dual acknowledgement. It represents remembrance for all victims of war and a commitment to peace, challenging the conventional view of war. Wearing it to a dawn service may be seen as controversial, but it also opens a dialogue about the ways we remember and the values we uphold. 

As New Zealanders and Australians diverge in their approach to ANZAC Day, with Australia seemingly placing more emphasis on the glory of war, the question arises: how can we honour the bravery of our soldiers while actively seeking alternatives to armed conflict? The answer lies in a proactive role for New Zealand in international diplomacy and peace-building efforts, embodying the spirit of the white poppy in its foreign policy. 

In commemorating ANZAC Day, we find ourselves at a crossroads between past and future, tradition and progress. It’s a day to reflect on the past sacrifices and to renew our commitment to a future where peace is the norm, not the exception. As we lay wreaths and observe moments of silence, let us also pledge to work tirelessly towards a world where the tragedies of war give way to the triumphs of peace. 

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This article aims to capture the essence of the internal conflict experienced by myself and others who deeply respect the sacrifices made by soldiers while holding firm to the belief in non-violence and peace. It’s a conversation starter, inviting readers to consider the full spectrum of emotions and beliefs that ANZAC Day evokes and the role each of us can play in shaping a more peaceful future. 

Sources

1. What do Quakers believe about war and serving in the military? 
2. The Quakers and Their War of Resistance | NCpedia 
3. Quakers in the American Revolution – Wikipedia 
4. Quaker Pacifism in the Context of War – Friends Committee On National … 
5. Explainer: Why do we commemorate Anzac Day? | Newshub 
6. What do the different coloured poppies mean? – BBC Newsround 
7. The ceremony – Anzac Day | NZHistory, New Zealand history online 
8. Anzac Day | New Zealand Story 
9. Anzac Day resources | NZHistory, New Zealand history online 
10. Anzac Day: How to mark the day in your town | RNZ News 
11. The Significance of Poppies in WW1, Memorial Day & Anzac – Lotusmagus 
12. Sharing the Significance of ANZAC Poppies With Our Tamariki! 
13. The History of the ANZAC Day Poppy – Lucy’s Florist 
14. http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1947/press.html 
15. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/apr/16/rare-memorial-inspires-quakers-work 
16. en.wikipedia.org 


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ANZAC Dawn Parade and Service 2024

This morning our daughter, her two boys and I attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Parade and Service at the cenotaph in the Feilding town square. It was a very cold and shall we say breezy autumn morning as we made our way into the square shortly before 6 a.m.

As a Quaker I am conflicted between the courage that those who are prepared to put their lives on the line for what they believe is an honourable cause and those who are willing to kill for what they believe is an honourable cause. More often than not these are the same people.

Perhaps my attendance his morning was to honour my father, who fought with the NZ army in Egypt and Italy and who, as a senior sergeant, had the courage to countermand the orders of a commissioned officer to open fire on a group of unarmed Italian soldiers. My father was relieved of his duty and the order re-issued, resulting in a massacre. The commissioned officer was commended for his bravery and my father was court marshalled.

Despite his court marshal, my father gained a chest full of medals, and as long as I can remember he attended the Dawn Parade every ANZAC day, but unlike every other returned serviceman/servicewoman he alone would march with no medals pinned on his chest.

I can only admire his courage for not wearing his medals in the face of not inconsiderable opposition from his fellow servicemen as they marched to the cenotaph, year in and year out until age and injury put an end to his participation. At this morning’s service one speaker made the comment that all service personnel have an obligation to wear their medals at the Dawn Parade. I can only imagine what my father’s response would have been if he was still alive.

ANZAC Dawn Parade and Commemoration Service, 25 April 2024, Feilding town Square


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ANZAC Day 2020

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served” It is, I believe, the most important day of the year for most Kiwis. But what it means does vary from person to person.

From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day

I have mixed feelings about ANZAC Day. While, like most Kiwis, I consider it a day of remembrance, I along with an increasing number, find that the day adds weight to the futility of war. In this respect, I think there is a growing gap between Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia about the significance of the day. From my observation, in Australia, the day is also one of growing national pride, whereas here it is much less so. But keep in mind, this is purely a personal perspective.

ANZAC day traditionally starts with a Dawn Service held in every town in the nation. Last year the event was curtailed somewhat as it came so soon after the Christchurch shootings and due to security concerns, but this year, an even greater threat, COVID-19, has seen the cancellation of all services.

Instead, we were encouraged to “Stand at dawn” at our gates, entrances, porches and balconies. So shortly before dawn, I made my way down our driveway to the entrance of our property, and stood “Apart, but together as one” with many, but by no means all, of the households in our cul-de-sac. It was too dark to see most, but the quite murmurs of nearby households could be heard while I listened to the virtual dawn service broadcast over RNZ National.

Since my father died I have made a conscious attempt to attend the Dawn service, usually in person but sometimes by listening to a service on the radio or watching it on TV or online. My father made a point of taking part in the Dawn Parade that makes up part of the dawn service.

The parade consists of Returned Services personnel (veterans) and more recently, members of their family and their descendants, and also of current service men and women, fire and emergency personnel, and other services. Those with service medals are encouraged to wear them – on the left if they are your own, or on the right if worn by a family member or descendant.

In one respect my father stood out from every other returned service man and woman. He would be the only one that didn’t display any medals on their chest. Don’t get me wrong – he did have many medals, including several for bravery, but he refused to display them. He felt that displaying them was a form of false pride. It must have taken a lot of courage on his part to have put up with the ribbing, criticism and sometimes direct insults that he received every year from those he had served alongside.

It is as much for my father’s steadfast standing on principles, as for any other reason, that I now observe ANZAC Day. It is also My Father’s Day.

Sunrise shortly after dawn service 2020
Sunrise following Dawn Service


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Remembering the Rainbow Warrior and the fallout

Rainbow WarriorIt is twenty nine years ago today that the French sank the Rainbow Warrior. The event was a trigger for me and many of my compatriots to reevaluate how we viewed NZ’s relationship with our so-called allies. For those who are unfamiliar with the Rainbow Warrior Affair, I suggest reading the Wikipedia article Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.

I felt NZ had been betrayed twice. Firstly by France. That a supposedly friendly nation could condemn the sinking as an act of terrorism — when it was in reality guilty of the act itself — was quite appalling. The second betrayal was the refusal of our allies to condemn the sinking once it was discovered that France was the guilty party. Both the U.S. and U.K. made it quite clear that they were not not interested in the sinking, and it was a matter to be resolved between NZ and France.

Even after NZ jailed two of the DGSE agents and NZ was being crippled by France’s blockade of our produce to Europe — mainly the U.K. — neither of our major allies were prepared to comment. To rub salt into the wound, the U.K. bought produce from France without so much as a murmer. A great way to discover who your friends aren’t.

NZ has always had an antinuclear stance but the reaction of our so-called allies shifted our attitude even further against Nuclear weapons. When the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act was passed in 1987, it was supported by 92% of the population.

In the wake of the Rainbow Warrior sinking, the U.S. made the mistake of testing NZ’s antinuclear stance by requesting access to our ports for the USS Buchanan. The ship was capable of launching nuclear depth bombs, and it would have been political suicide for the government to have accepted the visit. How could Reagan have misread NZ’s attitude so soon after the sinking? His reaction to the refusal was certainly not the way to retain a friend.

So how did the the Reagan administration react? They scrapped the ANZUS treaty. We could live with that. Judging by the support NZ received over the Rainbow Warrior affair, it would be a mistake to expect the treaty to be honoured. What was insulting was that NZ envoys were denied access to the U.S. administration. While so-called enemies such as the USSR and China could access the U.S. administration, NZ could not. There were elements of the administration that wanted to punish NZ with trade sanctions: “How dare a little country stand up against us”. Is it any wonder that anti American sentiment rose many fold?

It has taken the U.S. twenty five years to get over their perceived insult by NZ. We are finally allowed to participate in multinational military exercises, and can take part in trade negotiations with the U.S. The American right still want to have trade liberalisation tied to the scrapping of our antinuclear legislation, but it seems that the Obama administration accepts that is not going to happen.

Will NZ and America ever return to the close relationship that existed before 1984? Somehow I doubt it. The fallout from the Rainbow Warrior Affair has seen a profound Change in how NZers see our place in the world. Is it for the better? I’m not sure. Only time will tell.

 


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Some attitudes make me angry

The RSA (Returned Services Association) is objecting to a memorial to WW1 consciousness objectors being erected on ANZAC Avenue “because the avenue is named after the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps and is there to commemorate those soldiers who fought in WW1”. Really? Surely ANZAC has come to include all those who fought or suffered in all wars.

Our conscious objectors during WW1 were treated abysmally. It’s a shameful blot on our history. In case you are not aware of their story, the following is a shortened version of what they went through.

Conscious objectors were shipped to the front line in France where they were beaten and starved. They would be bound hand and foot to stakes and placed in the line of enemy fire for up to four hours per day.

Lest we forget

Lest we forget

Another inhuman treatment was to restrain the objectors beside munitions stores if a store came under enemy bombardment. Could it be that they don’t want to be reminded that it was the ANZACs who were responsible for the treatment handed out to the objectors.

The memorial has been proposed by the Archibald Baxter Trust named after the most famous of the WW1 conscious objectors.  The purpose of a memorial is.to raise consciousness. What better place for the memorial than on ANZAC Parade.

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