They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon (1869–1943)
In the early hours of this morning at Shrines of Remembrance, cenotaphs and war memorials around both Australia and New Zealand, men and women who have gone to war and returned, together with their families, friends and other members of the public gathered for dawn services to start another ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day (April 25th) commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at the beach in Gallipoli, Turkey on the morning of April 25th, 1915. It was the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
The plan was to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies, but the Australian and New Zealand soldiers were greeted by strong resistance from the Turkish forces. The campaign dragged on for eight months and casualties were great. Over 10,000 ANZACs died and many more were wounded.
Many historians have argued that Gallipoli marked the end of innocence for the relatively new nation of Australia and the ANZAC legend became an important part of Australia's national identity.
However, ANZAC Day is not just a day to remember that morning in 1915, it is more generally a day of remembrance — of the deaths and consequences of war and of the bravery of our enlisted men and women who have not only fought wars, but have also carried out peacekeeping duties in various parts of the world. ANZAC Day also recognises that we carry with us the hope that one day, all the people of the world can live together in harmony without the need for conflicts.
As is often the case on a day of significance, a number of traditions have grown around the event: the dawn services, ANZAC Day marches, two-up schools, and of course, the ANZAC biscuit.
In our household, ANZAC Day approaching is always a reminder to dig out the recipe for ANZAC biscuits and whip up a batch. The biscuits are a great way to introduce the ANZAC story to children and talk about what ANZAC Day means while you mix up the ingredients.
The actual origins of the ANZAC biscuit are disputed, but the most likely story is that during World War I, when supply ships to the front line took about two months to reach their destination, the biscuits were developed (possibly from an old Scottish oatmeal biscuit recipe) to allow families at home to send tins of biscuits to supplement the soldiers meagre food rations. All the ingredients would last well over that period of time in an airtight container.
This year, I couldn't find my usual tried and tested recipe and ended up using the one from the NSW CWA (Country Women's Association) cookbook. The recipe is pretty standard no matter which version you use: the biscuits contain plain flour, rolled oats, coconut, sugar, butter, water, golden syrup and bicarbonate of soda.
It really is a simple enough recipe, but like the Gallipoli campaign itself, my biscuits this year were doomed.
I placed the first batch too close together on the baking tray and they had no room to spread. The formed a solid biscuit mass, and rose up like a sponge cake!
Hint no 1: Spread teaspoon sized amounts of the mixture well apart (over two baking trays) to allow for adequate spread.
I learnt from my mistake, and spaced the second batch well apart. When I looked at them in the oven after a few minutes cooking however, they hadn't spread at all. Hmmm. I checked the recipe. Ooops. I had forgotten the cup of sugar.
Hint no.2: Always double-check your ingredients
The third batch was looking good. All ingredients were present and accounted for, they were spread well apart and then slid into the oven on two trays for cooking, but instead of turning the dial on my oven to fan-forced, I put it on grill...
Hint no.3: Biscuits should be baked, not grilled.
As the smoke billowed through the house, I was able to save the lower tray, and cook it properly.
At last!
I don't know whether they would have lasted two months in a supply ship, as they didn't last more than a couple of hours in my house. That's one experiment I don't think I'll ever be able to achieve.
If you would like to make ANZAC biscuits (heeding the hints above, of course) there is a recipe here.
And for fascinating information about ANZAC Day and the ANZAC legend, check out:
Gallipoli and the ANZACs by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, or
ANZAC Day at the Australian War Memorial
Do you have ANZAC Day memories to share? What is the equivalent day in your country?
8 comments:
This morning Philip headed down to the ANZAC parade to sell Australian flags to the crowd in support of the RSL. He does this with his Grandma every year.
I ate two ANZAC biscuits for breakfast. i am very glad they were not two months old.
Not to worry, Alison, in my experience ANZAC biscuits never turn out the same way twice.
Here in York the Dawn Service is held on the top of the hill behind our house. I had every intension of attending this year however when 5.30am came I am ashamed to say the bed felt too comfortable to leave.
I will however, go down town and watch the parade of proud War veterans and families marching down the Main Street.
Rosemary is always worn now - for Rememberance- and my Rosemary hedge
is in full flower.
'Intention' not 'Intension' !!
oh yes they never turn out the same twice for me, why is that I wonder? It's always a wait and see thing when I make them, but they do get eaten very fast no matter what they come out like so I guess that's all that matters!
We have Memorial Day the last Monday in May. My grandfather was a WWII veteran and I always remember how solemn a day it was for him, remembering his fallen friends. the names of our local war dead are read from the memorial stone. Each year, the veterans who have died since the last Memorial Day are also recognized with a rose.
Over here it's the11th hourof the 11th day of the 11th month that's our Armistice for all wars taken from when peace was signed for W.W.1. and we stand for 2minutes silence then wherever we are. On the Sunday nearest to that there are parades and church services. Everybody wears poppies because of the poppies that grew where the bulk of the dead were buried in Northern France especially in Flanders Field. Wreaths of poppies are laid on war memorials.
Anzac Day is always a day in two parts in our house.
My Dad, who is a Vietnam Veteran, was born on Anzac Day.
I've always thought it strange that when the conscription ballots were done back in the late 1960s that one of the birth dates selected for conscription was 25 April.
The biscuits look good. I often throw in a cup of shredded chocolate (usually the last of the easter eggs) into the mix.
My dad is about the only one left of his ship's crew from WWII - he was the youngest on board, which is the only explanation as to why he has outlived them all.
I occasionally send a care package to a digger who is serving with the UN in the Sudan. On his instructions, I always include ANZAC biscuits (store bought). He says they remind him and his fellow soldiers of home - we both find it a bit corny, but he says they help him connect with those that served before us. I am dispatching another package tomorrow (postage is free).
I made many batches of ANZAC biscuits last year - I made them until the oats ran out. They last about a day around here, which is why I but a pack for sending overseas.
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