As we reflect at ANZAC day, on our those who have gone to war, today while listening to the local service I reflected and compared the sacrifices made by many.
In recent months we have watched the devastation in Ukraine by Russia, but it is not our soldiers who have gone to assist. I understand this, as it would mean a World War, but Australians in the medical field have. Currently, for example, a mother and daughter((Lab technician and Paramedic) have gone, but they are not alone others are working for Christian Aid Agency - Samaritan's Purse.
Ukraine: The Aussie medics helping refugees in war-torn Ukraine (nine.com.au)
This is what I began to reflect on, in World War 1 nurses from Australia went to war, they saw the most terrible sights but do we really acknowledge them or the nurses who then volunteered for the other conflicts that came after? Their roles were crucial not only to provide the medical care but also for the positivity that they gave in the gravest of situations to the soldiers. A number of years ago there was an attempt to raise the awareness, but I feel like that has gone.
Then there were the women who worked in the munitions factories, some in important war offices and other factories that kept the countries moving, for many this must have been a strange opportunity in World War 1, given the women's role was in the home! This would again occur in World War 2.
Lastly there are the wives and mothers, those who did what they could from their homes to support their soldiers - making ANZAC biscuits, sending care packages with knitted socks and a note, raising money for the 'cause'.
I do not have any nurses in my family, nor as yet any factory workers, but I do have mothers and wives.
Today I thought I would post about my Great Great Grandmother Emma Ellen Jansen. Born in 1853, a twin, in England she moved to Australia in 1911.
In World War 1 Emma would have six sons actively in service, and her youngest (not pictured) enlisted but sent home just prior to embarkation, as the army felt she had given enough. Two of her sons fought for England the others for Australia, miraculously six returned home. Leonard (middle right) would be the only one not to return home, dying on 21 Sept 1918.
Some of these sons were married with families, but for now I am just concentrating on the impact for their mother.
Leonard and Richard (middle left) were both ANZACs, I imagine Emma reading the news of the battle and cannot imagine how she felt knowing that they were both there.
John (top left) did not join up for World War 1, he was already in the Dragoon Guards and had been in India and also South Africa for the Boer War.
Robert (top right) had been enlisted in England in the Middlesex Regiment and was a trainer at Bathurst initially before going to the front in the Engineers.
06 Aug 1915 - MRS. EMMA JANSEN, OF ANNANDALE, AND HER SOLDIER SONS. - Trove (nla.gov.au)
During the war, Emma had to wonder every time there was a knock on the door, whether that was someone with bad news. But she did not just sit back and not support the war effort. She raised money (I believe it was for the war effort), using pictures of her sons displayed behind her, on the streets of Sydney with others..she had a sign "I gave these, what will you give".
By all accounts she was a determined, no fuss woman and this does not surprise me.
The newspaper account in the Daily Telegraph is not entirely accurate however, she was not a widow (her husband was back in England but it appears they were estranged). Her son Laurence was in the British Navy.
So, when we think of those who died for our freedom, served for our freedom spare a thought for those who 'gave' for our freedom.
Even today, the families that have been impacted by the 'peace keeping' missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, have given...for some the impact on the family as their soldiers return can be devastating and unfortunately are still not given the support that they need.
Lest we forget!
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