Councillor Peter Petty said the invitation he receives from the Tenterfield RSL Sub-branch to speak at the ANZAC Day dawn service was one of the greatest honours he receives as mayor.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At the 2018 dawn service he focussed on the WWI contributions of Brigadier General Harold Edward “Pompey” Elliot, Commander of the 15th Brigade, who eventually paid the ultimate price.
Following is his speech, including a video of his recitation of ANZAC on the Wall by Jim Brown.
Elliott who was already a decorated veteran of the Boer War, the Landing at Gallipoli and Lone Pine had his Brigade decimated at The Battle of Frommelles less than two years earlier. After the Battle of Fromelles he went on an inspection tour of his Brigade and “with tears streaming down his face” shook hands with “the remnants of his Brigade”. Survivors were struck by the intensity of his anguish. What a change the Second Battle of Villers Brettoneux brought with significantly fewer casualties and a tactical success as opposed to Fromelles which Elliott described as a “tactical abortion”. Official War Historian, Charles Bean said of Elliott, “His staunchness and vehemence, and power of instilling those qualities into his troops, had turned his brigade into a magnificently effective instrument.” After Villers Brettoneux, Elliott was Mentioned in Despatches (for the sixth time) and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Following on from Villers Brettoneux, Elliott continued to lead the 15th Brigade which fought in the Battle of Hamel on 4 July 1918, the Battle of Amiens on 8 August, and the Battle of St. Quentin Canal in August and September.
SEE ALSO:
As the members of the brigade began to return to Australia after the war, Elliott became increasingly depressed. Eventually, he called a parade to hand out some last medals, and gave them a farewell speech to thank them for upholding his demanding standards. Later that afternoon, the brigade returned to Elliott’s chateau preceded by bands and colours. Each company circled the chateau and cheered for their commander. Lastly, the senior colonel called for three cheers and told Elliott that the men wanted to show their appreciation for him and that, despite it being a voluntary march, everyone was there.
In all Elliott had been Mentioned in Despatches eight times, been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Volunteer Decoration. He had also been appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. He also received the French Crois de Guerre and the Russian Order of St Anna.
At the conclusion of the War he returned to Australia where he reestablished his legal business and in 1919 was appointed Melbourne’s City Solicitor. On 13th December 1919 he was elected to the Senate, achieving the greatest popular vote of any Victorian candidate. He was reelected in 1925. He was a tireless advocate for returned soldiers and was chiefly responsible for redrafting the constitution of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia - what we know today as the RSL. In 1927 he was promoted Major General and appointed Commander of the 3rd Division.
Increasingly, Elliott suffered from diabetes, hypertension, and what would now be referred to as post traumatic stress disorder. He was admitted to the Alfred Hospital on 16 February 1931 after making an attempt to gas himself in the oven at his house. Sadly, early on the morning of 23 March 1931, Elliott committed suicide while an inpatient in a private hospital in Malvern. He was buried with full military honours at the Burwood Cemetery in Melbourne. A former Prime Minster, Stanley Bruce wrote to Elliott’s widow, “I have just returned from his funeral and I have never seen a greater tribute paid to a man. It must be some comfort to you to see the universal regard, esteem and even affection in which he was held.”
A number of commentators believe that his suicide was as a result of his war service, especially the horrors of Fromelles.
This story of Pompey Elliott is but one example of why ANZAC Day is not about glorifying wars. Clearly wars are horrific and traumatic events - this was especially the case with the First World War. No, ANZAC Day is about the ANZAC Spirit - courage, duty, patriotism, individual sacrifice and mateship - the personal qualities that make up the enduring legacy of Gallipoli.
Lest we forget.
