Honouring those lost at Gallipoli

AN upcoming service at the Arch of Victory will honour men who died throughout the August Offensive at Gallipoli in 1915.

On Sunday 4 August, the service at 11am will remember 27 Ballarat people who fell in the conflict.

“Following the historic landing on April 25th, the Gallipoli campaign became a stalemate and the August Offensive was planned to break through the Turkish defences and included charges by Australian troops at The Nek and at Lone Pine,” said Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour committee president, Garry Snowden.

“The attacks failed to achieve their objective and came at a tragic human cost.”

Mr Snowden said despite the campaign’s failures, the men’s courage and sacrifice should not be forgotten.

“It’s important we reflect on the impact those losses had back at home,” he said.

“Twenty-seven of those men have silent plaques in our Avenue of Honour but at this special service we will call their names.

“The service is very much about giving truth to the oft spoken pledge, ‘we will remember them.’

“Among those to be remembered will be the Sells brothers, Samuel and William, who were killed on the same day at Lone Pine, and Alexander White who led the 8th Lighthorse Regiment in the charge at The Nek.

“One man who was wounded but survived the desperate fighting at Lone Pine was William Dunstan, whose courage earned for him the highest bravery award, the Victoria Cross.”

Other men to be remembered are William Tainsh, Henry Caley, William Cockerall, Joseph Lugg, Clarence Pernonie, Leo Anderson, Norman Craven, William Dow, Rasmus Hansen, Thomas Jones, Herbert Stanley, Harry Williams, Ernest Coffey, Allen Farrer, Edward Fisher, James McGregor, John Wight, Edmund Williams, Willie Wilson, David Fisher, Alfred Jackson, Reginald Thompson, Jason Coulter and Joseph Darling.

Attendees are welcome to lay a floral tribute informally before or after the service.