Jim that poem The Charge of the Light Brigade By Alfred, Lord Tennyson I often think of that verse in it
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Phill you are right the days when Kings and Generals had to show valour by leading their troops into battle deserved respect. In the wars that followed that where the commanders gave orders from their safe positions many lifes were used as cannon fodder by the powers that controlled them and were butchered like lambs at the slaughter. The Gallipoli campaign was a major stuff up by the commanders. By the time the campaign ended, more than 130,000 men had died: at least 87,000 Ottoman soldiers and 44,000 Allied soldiers, including more than 8700 Australians. Among the dead were 2779 New Zealanders, about a sixth of all those who had landed on the peninsula. The Gallipoli campaign was a relatively minor aspect of the First World War. The number of dead, although horrific, pales in comparison with the casualties on the Western Front in France and Belgium. Nevertheless, for New Zealand, along with Australia and Turkey, it has great significance.
In Turkey, the campaign marked the beginning of a national revival. The Ottoman hero of Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal, would eventually become, as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding President of the Turkish Republic. In New Zealand (and Australia), Gallipoli helped foster a developing sense of national identity. Those at home were proud of how their men had performed on the world stage, establishing a reputation for fighting hard in difficult conditions.
Anzac Day grew out of this pride. First observed on 25 April 1916, the date of the landing has become a crucial part of the fabric of national life – a time for remembering not only those who died at Gallipoli, but all New Zealanders who have served their country in times of war and peace. I will attach the song The Band Sang Waltzing Matilda which I think is a good song about that bit of history that started ANZAC day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZqN1glz4JY