The Anzac legend was inspired by the story of the Gallipoli landing, which since then has been developed, manipulated and embellished and occasionally challenged. Before the war Australia was a largely urbanized and newly federated country which prided itself on its rural environment. The national image of ‘bushmen’ was seen to possess hardiness and mate-ship. At the beginning of the war most Australians had high hopes that their role in World War One would demonstrate the nation’s worth. “Hopes were realised in the colourful descriptions of their men in action following the landing at Gallipoli. The bushmen’s perceived characteristics were now applied, along with dash and courage in battle, to the Anzac stereotype.” The Creation of the Anzac Legend was largely used for propaganda. The typical Anzac stereotype was said to be “bravery, humour, mateship, endurance and the belief in a democracy and a fair go for all.” These qualities were viewed as heroic qualities. Simpson possessed the qualities that were stereotypical of a true Anzac, but this was not what made him a hero. Simpson was a hero because he was willing to sacrifice his own life to save others, even when he was in risk of death.
The Anzac legend not only impacted on the way the soldiers fought, but also the way soldiers were viewed by Australian society. The experienced war correspondent Ellis Ashmead-Barlett was influenced by the heroism of the Anzac soldiers. He captured the public imagination, and lectured large audiences around Australia about the Anzac legend. Also impacted upon, Charles Bean the official Australian war historian, was with the soldiers at Gallipoli and the Western Front and helped to develop the Anzac legend, focusing on the qualities of the Australian soldiers. The Anzac legend also impacted on the way society operated. Australia at the time was a nation of just five million people, and the Great War had a massive impact on the lives of people and the future development of the nation. The Anzac legend helped society to honour the sacrifice of these soldiers and to make the death and injury to so many meaningful. Memorials were set up among the country, and days of remembrance were held to acknowledge the Anzacs who fought in the Great war. The Anzac legend impacted on the lives of many Australians, and the way our country operates today.
Like John Simpson Kirkpatrick, Martin O’Meara was an Australian stretcher-bearer who had heroic qualities similar to Simpson. Acting as a stretcher-bearer, O’Meara behaved in a manner which led one officer to describe him as “The most fearless and gallant soldier I have ever seen.” He was credited with having saved the lives of over twenty-five wounded men by carrying them in under conditions that are indescribable. Although little is known about O’Meara personally, the qualities he showed on the Western Front were of the highest heroism, earning a Victoria Cross for his actions. One officer described him as “always cheerful and optimistic, willing to volunteer for any job.” At times he had, on his own initiative, brought up much needed supplies of grenades, ammunition and food. O’Meara was wounded three times, and his war experiences caused a complete breakdown in his health. Martin O’Meara, like John Simpson Kirkpatrick showed his heroism by risking death in order to save others who were in desperate circumstances. O’Meara suffered similar circumstances to that of Simpson, and he showed the same heroic qualities in difficult conditions.
The Heroic qualities that were demonstrated by Simpson and O’Meara during the Great War have been demonstrated by others since. Fred Hollows was born in New Zealand in 1929, and pursued a career as an opthalmologist. Hollows always believed strongly in equality for all people. He was told about the need for Aboriginal health services in Sydney, and he took up the cause. “To be a national hero, the hero must cut through class divisions and appeal to the general community.” Hollow’s work with Aboriginal communities made him a hero to those Aboriginal people whom he came into contact. Within Australian society, numerous types of heroes have emerged such as the larrikin, the bushmen, the Anzac and the compassionate hero. “A hero must demonstrate qualities that are rarely exhibited by the average person – qualities such as courage, sacrifice and compassion.” The Great War was to become the most defining point in the perception of the Australian national character and hero. “Finally, one emerged, the compassionate hero, a form of heroism, which attracts almost universal admiration. This type of hero encapsulated in Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick.” In different ways, Hollows embodied different qualities of these past heroic types, which contributed to his enormous popularity in Australian society. Hollows was awarded several awards in recognition of his contribution to Australian society, including Australian of the Year in 1990. The heroism showed by Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, have been replicated in modern society, and the heroic qualities are still evident in modern society.
There has been controversy to whether the ANZAC legend is a true indication of the hardships experienced by soldiers involved in the Great War, and it is probable this debate is likely to go on. However, there is no doubt the ANZAC legend has impacted on Australian society, and the way Australians are viewed today. The qualities associated with the Australian way of life: our mateship, bravery, humour and endurance, came to be because of the way the Anzac’s coped with the challenges of Gallipoli. John Simpson Kirkpatrick was to a large extent heroic. His qualities resembled that of the Anzac’s, and his selflessness is to be admired. He may claim he was just doing his job, but he showed tremendous courage and he went far beyond the call of duty. Bibliography
Benson, I (1965)‘The Man with the Donkey’ 1st Edition, Hodder and Stoughton, London
p.13-14
Cupper, P and Taylor, P (2003) ‘Anzac’ 1st Edition, McGraw-Hill, Sydney p.26-27
Davison, G 2001 ‘The Oxford Companion to Australian History’ Revised Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford p.314
Denton, K (1986) ‘Gallipoli One Long Grave’ 1st Edition, Time-Life books, Sydney p 61
Mason, K. J (2007) ‘Experience of Nationhood’ 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill Australia p.80-83
Reid, R (1988) ‘Australian Dictionary of Biography’ Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne p. 86
Smith, P.A (1981) ‘The Anzacs’ 1st Edition, Nelson Publishers, Melbourne
Websites
Author Unknown, 8th May 2007, The Legend, Australian War Memorial, 6th May 2007,
<http://www.awm.gov.au/dawn/legend/index.asp>
Author Unknown, 9th May 2007, Fred Hollows, Hollows Organisation,
< http://www.hollows.org/upload>
Denton, K 1986 ‘Gallipoli One Long Grave’ 1st Edition, Time-Life books, Sydney p 61
Benson, I 1965 ‘The Man with the Donkey’ 1st Edition, Hodder and Stoughton, London p. 14
Benson, I 1965 ‘The Man with the Donkey’ 1st Edition, Hodder and Stoughton, London p. 13
Author Unknown, 8th May 2007, The Legend, Australian War Memorial, 6th May 2007,
<http://www.awm.gov.au/dawn/legend/index.asp>
Reid, R 1988 ‘Australian Dictionary of Biography’ Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne p. 86
Reid, R 1988 ‘Australian Dictionary of Biography’ Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne p. 86
Davison, G 2001 ‘The Oxford Companion to Australian History’ Revised Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford p.314
Author Unknown, 9th May 2007, Fred Hollows, Hollows Organisation,
< http://www.hollows.org/upload>
