One Minute's Silence

One Minute’s Silence (available in the library) is a wonderful tribute to the soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli and an important reminder of the humanity of the soldiers of both sides of the conflict. 

'In one minute's silence, you can imagine the great crop of crosses the ANZACS left behind...
and the promises given to never forget the boys who would not wake to the hushed footsteps or the whispered farewells. But can you imagine, in one minute's silence, when the Turks rose that morning to discover there only remained...the perfect lack of sound of a war that had ended' (Excerpt from the book.)

Today is Armistice Day, the day that World War One ended in 1918. 

Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman

(Image: Penguin publishers)

Like many of his mates from the bush, Frank Ballantyne is keen to join the grand adventure and do his bit. Specially as a chest full of medals might impress the currently unimpressed parents of his childhood sweetheart. So Frank ups his age and volunteers with his horse Daisy ... and his dad.

In the deserts of Egypt and Palestine he experiences all the adventure he ever wanted, and a few things he wasn't expecting. Heartbreak, love and the chance to make the most important choice of his life.

They were loyal creatures, the men and horses of the Australian Light Horse, but war doesn't always pay heed to loyalty. This is the powerful story of a young man's journey towards his own kind of bravery. (Source: Penguin)

The following video captures images of the life of horses and their handlers in the theatre of war. These images will provide context when you read Loyal Creatures.

And if you are wanting the New Zealand experience for our own war horses go to First World War horses

Would you let your horse serve in a war?

Ceramic poppies to commemorate WW1

(Source: Historic Royal Places)

What an extraordinary visual effect, over 800,000 poppies.

The Tower of London has an interesting history that also includes training World War One soldiers. For more about the story behind the poppies and the Tower of London go to Tower of London

Centenary of assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

In the weekend you might have watched the news that it has been 100 years since the assassination that triggered World War 1. A sobering comment by Sarajevan Davud Bajramovic, was written in the Wanganui Chronicle today that stated in order to hold a second of silence for every person killed just during WW1 in Europe, we would have to stand silently for two years. It provides another perspective on the terrible loss of life doesn't it?

 'The Response', World War I Memorial, Barras Bridge (detail)

Detail of Sir W Goscombe John's highly detailed bronze sculpture (1923) showing, in life-size figures, the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers marching down the Great North Road to the Central Station in 1915, with their families alongside NZ2464 : Newcastle Upon Tyne - War Memorial
Link

   © Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.