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[shabu]

An important part of Australia’s Anzac heritage – the grave of General William Birdwood – is lying in a state of neglect in London.



During World War I, the English general led the Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli and later on in France and Belgium.

He insisted on naming the Turkish beach where they landed in April 1915 as Anzac Cove.

At Gallipoli, he impressed his men by regularly visiting the front lines and earned a respect that was shown to very few senior British commanders.

Now the Victoria Cross Trust wants to restore his grave at Twickenham Cemetery, which they say has been neglected.

Trust spokesman Gary Stapleton said they want it repaired before this year’s 98th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.

“We should be able to get the work started and it’d be absolutely fantastic to actually have it done for the Anzac celebrations,” he said.

He says the repair work will cost about $4,500.

“The stone cross at some point obviously worked its way loose and for safety reasons, the local authority have laid it down so it doesn’t fall on anybody.

“The lettering which was originally lead lettering, it’s starting to erase and come away and I think quite a few of them are actually missing, probably been stolen.

“But underneath the main memorial stone… the stone cover on top of the grave has basically cracked and broken away completely.

“The whole thing needs taking away, it needs cleaning, it means basically rebuilding from scratch.”

Mr Stapleton says General Birdwood toured Australia with his wife shortly after the war and was greatly received by the people of Australia.

“In his time he was obviously a very famous person both in Australia and the UK,” he said.

“But I think over the years people have forgotten who he was and what he actually did.

“That’s probably why there’s not been much interest in the condition of his grave.”

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/plan-to-restore-anzac-generals-neglected-grave.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=plan-to-restore-anzac-generals-neglected-grave
_________________
If any question why we died
Tell them, because our fathers lied
-Rudyard Kipling-

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[Yvonne]

Lieutenant General Sir William Birdwood

THE SOUL OF ANZAC
http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/1landing/s_birdwood.html
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[shabu]

Australian govt helps restore ANZAC Commander’s London grave

ALL Australians know the story of Gallipoli, where the ANZACs landed on 25 April 1915 to place Australia on the world stage for the first time. Fewer Australians know of William Birdwood, the English general who gave them their name — ANZACs. The popular term ‘Digger’ also originates from Birdwood’s instruction to “dig, dig, dig, until you are safe”, directed to the embattled ANZACs clinging tenaciously to the rugged slopes above ANZAC Cove.

Birdwood was brave and led by example, and quickly earned the respect of the Australians, who referred to him affectionately as ‘Birdie’. He was frequently seen in the front trenches at Gallipoli, chatting with the diggers and sharing their risks. On one occasion Birdwood attracted enemy fire, but a nearby digger shouted: “Duck, Birdie”, and probably saved the General’s life. An officer standing close by promised to charge the solider with insubordination, but Birdwood, impressed by the soldier’s quick thinking, simply replied “No, give him a bloody medal”.

Birdwood’s hard-won respect by the ANZACS was enjoyed by few other British Generals. After World War One, Birdwood nearly became Governor-General of Australia, but missed out to Sir Isaac Isaacs, much to the disappointment of King George V and many Australians. Birdwood died in England in 1951 and was buried with full military honours. The town of Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills is named after him.

Unlike those soldiers whose graves are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, General Birdwood was buried in a private grave at Twickenham Cemetery, the responsibility of his family. In recent times the grave had fallen into disrepair and moves were afoot to repair the grave. But the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs was quicker off the mark. Permission was gained from General Birdwood’s grandson to repair the grave, and the work was completed in January 2013. The grave has now been restored to its former gleaming, pristine glory.

London Legacy is hosting its annual ANZAC Ball at Australia House on 19 April 2013. Randolph Churchill, the great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, will be guest of honour. General Birdwood will also be remembered, as his close connection with the ANZACs helps to complete the circle begun when the young Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admirality, committed Allied troops to Gallipoli. The campaign that followed was a disaster — through no fault of the ANZACs — but that’s another story.



Simon Kleinig is Hon. Secretary of London Legacy. For more information about London Legacy see www.legacy.com.au.

http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/news/uk-australian-news/australian-goverment-helps-restore-anzac-commanders-grave-in-london.htm
_________________
If any question why we died
Tell them, because our fathers lied
-Rudyard Kipling-

http://ww1relics.com/