It was a fairly hot day on Remembrance Day, Saturday 11th November, but attendees were not deterred when a well conducted service arranged by the Murchison RSL took place in the Riverbank Gardens in front of the memorials to the local men and women who served in conflicts across the globe. RSL members, Murchison families as well as children from Murchison Primary School attended.
Grace, Davey, Gemma, Charlotte & Lily —- Charlotte, Grace & Davey
School Captain, Grace Morgan confidently delivered her well researched speech, highlighting an area of involvement and sacrifice that does not often receive mention in stories about World Wars. Grace told us about the use of animals, who often played a critical role in the survival of soldiers. Here is an excerpt from her speech:
“Pigeon messengers, horses, donkeys, dogs, camels and many other animals helped on the Western Front, as donkeys and mules carried food, water, ammunition and medical supplies. Canaries detected poisonous gases, dogs sniffed out bombs and cats were used to keep away rats in the trenches.
One pigeon “Pilots Luck” flew three hundred and twenty-one kilometres in five hours back to his loft. He managed to save two pilots who were clinging off from a plane for seven hours.
‘Cher Ami’ was one of the two thousand pigeons sent to the western front for communication, and as she was the only one left and their only hope, they sent her off through heavy artillery fire. She managed to share the location and save the remaining one hundred and ninety-four men.
Animals where so successful they have been used in nearly every war since.
On Macquarie Island live millions of penguins and albatross. During the war Macquarie Island had many resources used for making shells, bullets, rifles, sandbags and many more pieces of equipment. Whale oil was most important there and used to make glycerine soon to be turned into nitro glycerine and finally made into cordite. The cordite is the propellent that is used in shells and bullets. Not just that, but whale oil was put inside machines to keep them going, and inside rifles to clean them. After the war the British Army had fired over one hundred and seventy million shells. It was the troops in trenches though who found the most usage for whale oil, it stopped them from getting trench foot and sepsis. Some battalions would get through ten gallons of whale oil a day. Not just whales, but dolphins, seals and penguins got slaughtered to obtain the oil.
The symbol of a red poppy is for our gratitude to men, the purple poppy is for our gratitude to animals. Today I would like you to take a moment to think of all the different types of animals who were sacrificed during the war. We thank everyone and everything for their sacrifice. Lest we forget and remember them.”
Next day, Sunday 12th of November was when hundreds of people gathered at the Murchison Cemetery to remember the 130 Italians for whom the Ossario is their last resting place.
These 128 men, and one woman and a young baby, died during the second World War while they were detained in camps across Australia, as both military Prisoners of War and civilians Internees. Although initially buried in cemeteries close to where they passed away, after the Ossario was built in 1961, their remains were exhumed and transferred to Murchison so they could be together in one place.
After 2 years of disruption due to Covid and then last year because of floods, the service was able to take place at the Ossario. Beautiful floral tributes were placed on the monument in the forecourt as the procession of dignitaries filed down the path that leads to the impressive Mediterranean style building. It was a moving service starting with the singing of both the Australian and Italian National Anthems, a trumpet rendition of Il Silencio, then other hymns were sung and speeches followed. Most impressive was the speech by the Italian Consul General for Victoria and Tasmania, Hanna Pappalardo who spoke very fluently in both English and Italian and mingled with the crowd afterwards – a most gracious lady. The Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Cr. Shane Sali, was present and many representatives of Italian organisations, local RSL groups, Goulburn Valley school children, and Italian military representatives, both men and women in colourful uniforms. Fr. Michael Grace conducted a Catholic Mass which concluded proceedings.
Mayor Shane Sali & Hanna Pappalardo ————– Flowers on the monument
The service is routinely held on the second Sunday in November, so if you have not been to an Ossario Remembrance Day service before, keep it in mind for next year – it is a unique experience. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Kay Ball, Murchison & District Historical Society Inc.
Murchison and District Historical Society Inc. 