Author's Note:

(The phrase 'over the top' can mean to an excessive or exaggerated degree, as well as meaning to go over the parapet of a trench and into battle. It seems that colonial troops were sometimes used as 'cannon fodder', where casualty numbers were significantly brutal. Aussies and Kiwis gained reputations for bravery under fire.)

In Australia and New Zealand we commemorate Anzac Day on 25th April every year. ANZAC is an abbreviation of Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Nowadays, the day 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.

Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, in Turkey, their first engagement in the First World War (1914-1918).

The poppy has become a symbol of sacrifice. Red poppies were notable on the Western Front in France and Belgium, The Somme, scenes of great carnage in WW1.

I took the accompanying photo at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where people can place commemorative poppies beside soldiers' names.

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