Chance to show respect for their willing sacrifice

Guy Barnett reflects on the incredible price some are prepared to pay for freedom

ANZAC Day is a chance for us as a community to reflect on the price of freedom and give thanks for those prepared to pay it.

More than 10,500 war veterans and ex-service personnel live in Tasmania. They all deserve our respect and honour this Anzac Day.

This year is the final year of the Centenary of Anzac commemorations. During this time, we remember all Australian service men and women who have served, fought and died on our behalf.

2018 is also the 100th anniversary of the Armistice signed with Germany that concluded the end of World War I, and 100th anniversary of the second and successful battle of Villers-Bretonneux in France, where Australian troops were led by General John Monash, one of our most famous Australians.

Many Tasmanians are descendants of Anzacs and many more have friends or family with a link to current or former defence force personnel. So many have a story to tell. I too share this family history.

My grandfather H.S. Barnett joined the Australian Flying Corps 100 years ago. Based in England, he flew a biplane which was a little more than canvas, wood and wire.

My wife’s grandfather and great uncle both trained in the Tasmanian Lighthorse at Mona Vale near Ross with George Henry Bramich, serving in Palestine from 1916 to the end of the war in 1918.

2018 is also the 75th anniversary of the work of Australian prisoners-of war on Hellfire-Pass in Thailand and the completion of the Thai Burma Railway.

My great uncle Laurie Thyne served as a prisoner of war in squalid and brutal conditions under the Japanese for more than three years, helping build the railway.

During these and other conflicts, hundreds of thousands of Australian service men and women served their country, and while their stories of courage and service are inspiring, the cost to the nation has been dear. During the Great War, a generation was lost with over 60,000 killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed or captured.

Two thirds of those who served overseas were killed or wounded — a casualty rate of 65 per cent, one of the highest of any nation in the war.

More than 2400 Tasmanians lost their lives out of the 15,485 who enlisted.

Tasmania punches above its weight when it comes to recognition for bravery in the field of battle.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the Australian Honours Systems, with 14 Tasmanians awarded the Victoria Cross out of Australia’s 100 recipients.

Five of those Tasmanians demonstrated their outstanding act of bravery 100 years ago, in France.

Sergeant Stanley McDougall from Recherche Bay on March 28, 1918, Corporal Walter Brown of New Norfolk on July 6, 1918, Lieutenant Alfred Gaby of Springfield Ringarooma on August 8, 1918, Sergeant Percy Statton of Beaconsfield on August 12, 1918, and Lance Corporal Sidney Gordon from Launceston on August 27, 1918.

Tasmania’s proud record of service continues to this day.

Last year more than 35 Tasmanians were deployed on overseas operations and our defence personnel continue to risk their lives so we can live in peace and freedom.

Anzac Day is a day to honour the service and sacrifice of those who gave, and continue to give so much and to reflect on how we can and should respond.

We stand by them today as they, through their service, stood for us.