ANZACS, the war that changed the world

It was a clear, sunny day in the hills of Queensland. Everything was silent, asides form the gentle sway of the trees and the odd call from the exquisite Grey Goshawk that soared the sky, looking for a piece of meat to... fill its little stomach, or maybe perhaps chicks it has, safely tucked away high up in a tree.

Paul turned his head away from the sky and continued to walk alone along a bush track, clutching close to his chest a letter he had received earlier that day that stated he was to fight in the first division in the war at Gallipoli. Re-opening, the slip of paper, he read what was required of him. He was to leave in one week for Albany, Western Australia to begin his journey to England. Paul had no clue where England was; just that it was a long way from home. He was only 20 years old, still a young man ready to live his life. He had estimated the time it would take him to arrive in Albany in time to leave. He was to leave the next Tuesday and arrive by around Thursday. The Friday, he departed for England.

He sighed, folding up the letter and placing it carefully in his shirt pocket. He arrived at his homestead among the gumtrees and slowed his pace. He had not yet shown his mother the letter because he knew it would hurt her, although she knew he was bound to go to war one day. His father was already fighting in the Military Expeditionary Force in New Guinea, which, for his mother, was enough to handle. Now that he was going to war as well, the only thing she had left was the small glimmer of hope that they would both one day come back safe and never to return to war.

Slowly making his way up to the front door, he opted to tell her now rather than never. He put his hand on the rusted handle and turned it slowly. Once inside, he was intoxicated by the delicious smell of Kangaroo brewing on the stove. His mother was in the kitchen cutting vegetables and placing them carefully in the pot, singing softly to herself as she worked. She had such a melodic voice that wildlife from nearby bushes would come close to listen to her sing. With a voice like honey and butter, it was sweet and beautiful. She would be forever telling stories of how she could seduce any man with her voice.

Upon hearing the door close, she turned away form the bubbling concoction and gracefully strided out towards her one and only son. Pulling him into a tight hug, she held him close to her heart for a few minutes. As Paul pulled away gently, he took a step back and sat down on the closest chair. His mothers face twisted into a look of confusion and when Paul pulled out the letter, her face changed to a look of horror. She started weeping endlessly. She muttered almost inaudible words to herself. 'Not my baby'. 'They can't.' It was an endless stream of words flowing out of her mouth.

By the time the next Tuesday came around, Paul's mother had completely shut down. Nothing, not even a soft tune came from her. Her mouth had been silenced. Paul felt bad about leaving her, but he had no choice. He left with a heavy heart and prayed that he would come back home to his mother.

4 days later, he arrived a day late in Albany, Western Australia. He was awed by the hustle and bustle happening around him. Pulling out his letter, he read the exact location for which he was to report. Glancing at a clock nearby, he realised he had not much time to spare. Racing through the crowd, bumping into town folk along the way, he made it just in time to check in and get onto the boat. He was off to England, head held high and looking confident, but weak, scared and worried on the inside.

"Wake up! Paul. Wake up!' Paul awoke to the sound of his good friend Harry, who of which had befriended him on the trip. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he glanced around. It was still dark and everyone else was still asleep. Wishing he was still asleep, he looked over to Harry.

"What?" Paul asked angrily.

"We aren't going to England anymore." He exclaimed. Looking confused, Paul nudged Harry and turned over to continue sleeping. Harry turned him back around.

"What?" Paul almost yelled. Harry sighed.

"Serious! We are changing course to land in Egypt instead. When we got to the Suez Canal, the head officer had said that he received a message that Turkey had allied itself with Germany. All the officers decided to land in Egypt instead." Harry hurriedly said. Paul nodded and Harry left him. Having trouble falling asleep, Paul thought about the consequences there would be from landing in Egypt. He wondered what it would be like, and what the weather would be like.

"Alright, everyone off. Set up your tents wherever for now, we will divide you all into 3 different infantry's." The head officer ordered.

"Hey look, the fat pig had been into the buns again." Harry joked referring to the officer. Paul laughed along with him before getting ordered to hurry themselves up.

As soon as everything was ordered and everyone was divided into their groups, all the soldiers were marched to their training areas. Paul and Harry were lucky enough to be paired together in the 'light horse' division, and together they conquered. Blitzing training and outrunning all other soldiers, it was as if Paul and Harry were meant to be partners.

A mock battle was put in place for the soldiers. This was to ready them for the real battle. The soldiers were forced to awaken early and march with massive heavy packs on their back to harden them up and they all were required to have shooting practice. All this took place in front of the pyramids. 8 hours a day except for Sunday's, soldiers were in groups or lines advancing, retiring, drilling or squatting next to their piled arms, paying full attention to their officers.

While in Egypt, the soldiers visited Cairo during the night hours, often causing trouble and involving themselves in brawls with the locals and destructing property. This behaviour sometimes got them into trouble with the British officers. Although the British officers didn't think highly of them, the soldiers from Australia and from England got on really well. Paul and Harry had made 5 new friends. 2 from New Zealand and 3 from England. They all stuck together will Paul and Harry paying for a majority of their supplies.

The time came around for the soldiers to head to Gallipoli. The head officer called an assembly. Once all the soldiers were present, he began.

"This will be the last time we all see each other more than likely. Once we hit the shores of Gallipoli, you will all be rushed off the boat in your divisions and you will advance onto the beach. The light horse division will be first." The officer stated. Paul and Harry exchanged glances. The officer went on.

"Together, we have succeeded in our training. We have all made friends and we have all enjoyed ourselves. But that is not what war is about. We need to have full concentration from now on. If we win this, we will all go home winners. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or ANZACS for short is what all you miscreants will be called." The soldiers chuckled. "ANZACS we will be, and ANZACS we will stay. Now get on the boat." The officer finished and dismissed all the soldiers.

Arriving in Gallipoli, the soldiers advanced onto the beach. Boom, Boom, Boom. The shots of guns sounded. Everyone dropped to their stomachs. Paul was alone up at the front of the group; Harry was a long way behind. Once the firing subsided, Paul was up and running. Harry was screaming from behind for Paul to come back. Boom, Boom, Boom. The firing cam back. Soldiers dropped below Paul, all dead, but he continued to run never stopping. Boom, Boom, Boom. The cracking of bones and the sound of blood and insides flying through the air was heard. Harry was mortified. Paul dropped to his knees and fell flat on the ground. Not moving an inch. No breath came from his body. He was brutally murdered and Harry was determined to die next to him. Both were buried next to each other and both were remembered for their diligence and determination.