ANZACS BAND TOGETHER

Evening Star, Issue 22631, 24 April 1937, Page 2

ANZACS BAND TOGETHER

LEGION TO EXTEND TO NEW ZEALAND ■Proud of themselves and jealous of the glory they learned, the real Anzacs of Australia are banding together in the Galiipoii Legion of Anzacs, an organisation that hopes to extend to New Zealand within the next 12 months. The legion aims at preserving the identity of the Anzacs and perpetuating the comradeship of service days. “ Most people think every New Zealand and Australian soldier is an Anzac,” said the secretary, Mr S. lleid, of Melbourne, explaining that membership was conlined to men who enlisted and served on Gallipoli during 1915 as members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. , _ Intending members are required to sign a statutory declaration to that effect before their applications are considered, and must provide particulars of ■their service, units, and regimental numbers, and these are checked with official records. The organisation was - established in Sydney about two years ago, as a result of a few members of the Anzac _ contingent coming together and deciding to inaugurate the legion. There are now over 1,000 members in New South Wales, and last December a branch was formed in Melbourne, where there are already over 500 members and a special club room. Plans for the establishment of branches in South Australia and West Australia are at present under way. , The legion pledges its loyalty to the Sovereign and the Empire, and declares its primary objects to be “to preserve and foster the* spirit of Anzac ” and “ to perpetuate in civil life that comradeship which existed during service.” The patrons are Field-Marshal Sir William Bird wood, the commander of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on Gallipoli, General Sir lan Hamilton, Commander-in-Chief, and General H. A. Goddard, commander of the 17th Battalion, A.I.P. The badge of the Gallipoli Legion comprises vertical stripes of red, white, and blue enamel, with a gold crown above and the letters “ G.L.” in gold superimposed on the colours. _ Like all other military associations, the legion engages in welfare work on behalf of its members and their dependents, working in co-operation with the Returned Soldiers’ Association, with

which the happiest of relations' are maintained. •• In Melbourne it is organising a Budnight gathering of Anzacs at the Drill Hall, Albert Park, for April 24, preparatory to attending the dawn Anzas Day service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Later in the morning it will make a 1 special pilgrimage to the statue of if The Man with a Donkey” in the domain. The “ original Anzacs " have also their own special tree, additional to those of their units, in the plantation, leading up to the shrine...