Anzac Day speech 2009

Speech by HE Ann Harrap, Australian High Commissioner
ANZAC Day 2009
Diamond Hill, South Africa

Today we are commemorating the 94th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign. As we do, I would like to tell the story of an Australian soldier from that time. His name was PTE Jim Charles Martin.

When news of the first ANZAC landings was spread across the Australian papers, the recruiting depots were swamped with eager men ready to stand side by side with those already in action.

In country Victoria, a father arrived home and sadly announced to his family that he had attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force only to be turned down as medically unfit. As he sat with his head in his hands he felt his son’s hand on his shoulder and heard the words: “Never mind Dad, I’ll go.”

His mother pleaded with Jim that he was too young. Jim said that if his parents did not let him go he would join under another name.

Armed with a letter of consent from his parents, young Jim Martin was the fittest man seen by the recruiting officer on the day he enlisted in early April, 1915.
Jim Martin was allocated to the first reinforcement of the newly formed 21 Battalion who went into extensive training at Broadmeadows and Seymour Camps in Victoria.

On embarkation day, 27 June, 1915, they went by train to the docks at Port Melbourne and boarded the troop ship, Berrima.

As the Berrima glided silently down the still waters of Port Philip Bay, Jim Martin had time to reflect on his family, glancing occasionally at the streamer in his hand - the one he had caught from his mother as the ship pulled away from the quay.

For many of the soldiers on board, the fading lights of Melbourne were to be their last sight of Australia.

The reinforcements landed in Egypt in late August and were immediately absorbed by the Battalion.

In the shadows of the pyramids, young Jim Martin honed his fighting skills as his battalion’s day of reckoning approached.

On August 29, the battalion entrained for Alexandria. Awaiting them there was their transport – a ship named Southland.

The men of 21 BN were joined by their mates from other divisions – in all about 1600 men.

At 9.50 am on 2 September, as the troops were mustering for the 10 am parade, a torpedo struck just forward of the ship’s bridge, tearing a massive hole in the side of the Southland.

As there were insufficient lifeboats, many, including Jim Martin, were forced to jump overboard. He was to spend the next four hours in the choppy sea.

On their pickup by the attending boats, young Jim Martin was dragged on deck but shunned attention with the cry of, “I’m all right.” Of those on board, casualties were relatively light – 33 in total.

So as not to miss his landing at ANZAC Cove, Jim Martin never reported sick but maintained his commitment to his mates and to his battalion.

Just before midnight on 8 September, 1915, that BN set foot on the stony beach known as ANZAC Cove.

The next day the battalion occupied the line from Courtney’s Post to Wire Gully, a distance of around 400 metres, and young Jim Martin settled into life in the trenches.

In a letter home on 4 October, Jim wrote, “Don’t worry about me, I am doing OK over here.”

These were brave words, because the effects of the Southland incident, poor food and the stress of Gallipoli were running rife through young Jim’s body.

On 25 October, Jim Martin reported sick and was evacuated to the hospital ship, Glenart Castle, lying off Gallipoli, where he arrived about 5pm.

He settled down to get some sleep but died of heart failure at 6.40 pm.

The next day, 26 October, 1915, the body of PTE Jim Charles Martin slid from the platform beneath his country’s flag as his body was buried at sea.

In a letter to Jim’s mother, a member of his platoon wrote, “I am writing to you to express our great sorrow at your late bereavement. Jim was in the firing line with us and stuck to his post till the last. Like the brave lad that he was, he made the greatest and noblest of sacrifices for his country. Sergeant Coates speaks very highly of him and says he never had a man in his platoon who paid more attention to his duty.”

In February, 1916, Amelia Martin opened a box sent by General Headquarters. It contained her son’s personal effects – his ID disc, Bible, notebook, letters, belt and the torn and battered streamer she threw to him on his departure.

So why was Jim Martin so special and why does his story deserve to be told?

The fact is, Jim Martin was only 14 years of age when he died. He was our youngest ANZAC.

We remember Jim Martin, who by his example showed not only great bravery, but also the acceptance of those principles of life we in today’s society should be striving to emulate.

1. Love of family.
2. Pride of nation.
3. Understanding of responsibilities.

Young Jim died being loved by his family and highly respected by those with whom he served.

This story was first passed on by Keith Payne VC at a Dawn Service in Australia some years ago. I read it to Australian trekkers on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea in 2007. And I share it with you in South Africa today as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by all nations involved in the First World War and the many wars since.

I share it with my Aussie compatriots and my Kiwi mates. I share it with the other nationalities who also fought at Gallipoli – from Britain, Canada, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, France and Germany. And I particularly share this story of gallantry and honour with my Turkish friends – whose founding President Kemal Ataturk, commander of the Turkish defence of Gallipoli wrote those famous words to the mothers of the fallen Anzacs – ‘having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well’.

I share Jim Martin’s story as a fitting tribute to the spirit of ANZAC – a spirit that is not just applied during times of war nor is it the sole ownership of Australians and New Zealanders.

It is a spirit embodied in our efforts to overcome adversity, to work through problems, to test ourselves every day - and to come out the other side sharper, stronger and more courageous.

I am so proud to be an Australian among all of you here today – you who have shown your commitment on a small hill in Africa - to remember and to say thank you. You stand where Australians and New Zealanders have stood before in times of battle and in times of peace.

You show, through your presence, that the over 2000 ANZACs who were killed or badly injured on that first day of the Gallipoli campaign did not act in vein.

You show your commitment to carry on the ANZAC name and the ideals that they fought and died for. And you show your willingness to fulfil the dreams and aspirations that they, through their ultimate sacrifice, were never able to fulfil.
Lest we forget.