By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
TEWANTIN resident Joy Anderson is the proud daughter of an original Anzac.
Her father John Gilbert (Jack) Ashton was a First Field Company Engineer who sailed abroad in the leading convoy of ships to arrive at Gallipoli’s shores.
Having enlisted as a sapper in the August of 1914, Jack boarded the Troop Ship SS ‘Afric’, headed to Albany, West Australia, where the first convoy assembled and then sailed under the escort of HMAS Sydney destined for Egypt. It was on this voyage that HMAS ‘Sydney’ left the convoy under full steam, smoke pouring from her funnels as she gathered speed. Much excitement arose among the troops as they departed for their next adventure. Little did they know that, ‘The Sydney’ was on her way to sink the German raider ‘Emden’. After a period in Egypt, the First Field Company Engineers received orders to deploy with other Australian and New Zealand units in convoy to the Dardenelles. At dawn on 25 April 1915, Jack’s convoy arrived at what is now referred to as Anzac Cove, Gallipoli.
“It was complete and brutal mayhem and Dad’s best friend, known to us only by his nick-name ‘Nugget’ was shot and killed beside him as they ran up the beach,” Joy said.
Apart from the story of his dear friend, Joy’s father would only speak to her about the light side of war.
“Dad would only talk about the funny stories that happened in war,” she said.
“How they exchanged bully-beef for cigarettes with the Turks, tossing them from one trench to the other.
“From memory I think he said the Turks preferred jam to bully-beef and I know there was some friendly banter.
“In some cases the trenches were only 20 yards apart, which is quite unbelievable when you come to think of it.
“Then the morning of every Anzac Day, he and mum would lie in bed and speak of other experiences of war, which mum would sometimes pass on to us.”
Another story that Joy’s father often shared was that of General Birdwood, a leader who moved freely among the troops at Gallipoli and won their respect and affection.
“Dad told us how General Birdwood gave him and his mate double rums to go up, under open fire, to put a roof on a dug-out,” Joy said.
“When they came down, he gave them another double-rum.
“After weeks on bully-beef, hard biscuits, jam and black tea they thought all their birthdays had come at once – I think they were both pretty squiffy as a result but very happy.
“We loved that story as kids, especially the squiffy bit,” Joy laughed.
Excited to pass on her father’s tales, Joy continues to share memories as the clock ticks away.“There is a song, nobody knows it now, but it goes “There’s a Long Long Trail A Winding unto the Land of My Dreams” and finishes with “Till the Day When I’ll be Going Down that Long Long Trail With You”, Joy says before singing the first few lines, out loud.
Gentle yet strong, her voice echoes through the small room filled with family photographs and memorabilia, and for a moment Joy is lost to her memories.
Elegant in dress and manner, the local retiree’s eyes begin to water as she sits on her chair remembering the words her father used to say to her.
“This song,” Joy continues, abruptly returning to the present.
“It was often sung at night when things were calm.
“The way those male voices were singing must have resonated up that Lone Pine Valley – can you imagine the emotion it would have brought?”
Joy’s father never truly recovered from war, and in 1954 he passed away as a TPI (totally and permanently incapacitated) veteran.
Her late husband, Squadron Leader Fred Anderson also passed away as a TPI veteran, having fought as a Catalina pilot in World War II.
“No-one who goes to war returns unscathed,” Joy said.
The memories of these men will however never be forgotten, for along with her father’s accounts, Joy has in her possession a number of items of memorabilia.
This special collection, barely tainted by time includes her father’s medals, his three Anzac ‘A’ badges, sergeant’s stripes along with a Princess Mary cigarette box (a Christmas gift to all troops), his walking wounded belt, cigarette case, shaving mirror, inkwell, an interesting cake of soap, and a book on the Dardenelles.
The current president of the Noosa/Tewantin War Widows’ Sub-branch, Joy sees Anzac Day as a time to be taken seriously by all.
“At this 100th anniversary we will remember the Anzacs who served in the 1914 to 1918 war, it has a special place in time as it was our baptism of fire as a nation,” Joy said.
“All who served in wars to this very day will be remembered with gratitude by a grateful nation and those of us who have special memories.”
The dearly loved John Gilbert “Jack” Ashton will be forever remembered in the hearts of daughter Joy Anderson, granddaughter Meredith Clementson; great grandchildren Jessica, Brooke and Holly and great great grandchildren Elke, Digby, Matilda, Pippi, Millie and Fletcher.
‘Nugget’ also continues to be remembered each Anzac Day morning by the Ashton descendants, along with Joy’s late husband Fred Anderson.
Lest we forget.
