Siblings marching together for first time (Australia honours its war dead)

The Australian ^ | 24th April 2007 | Vikia Campion

[naturalman1975]

IT has taken 62 years but tomorrow four brothers who served across the Pacific in World War II will march together for the first time.

As age wearies them, the Shearim brothers finally decided to create their own piece of family history on Anzac Day.

Eldest brother Laurie, now 89, spent the war in the jungles of Borneo and Morotai, delivering supplies to the infantry under the threat of bombs and mortars.

Keith, now 85, survived the horrors of a Japanese concentration camp as a prisoner of war for 3½ years.

Charlie, 82, fought the Japanese in tough infantry battles and Ron, 80, released prisoners of war and uncovered the grisly deeds done by their brutal captors.

The Shearims grew up in Lakemba in Sydney but after the war went their separate ways with Laurie settling down in Bellingen, Charlie in South West Rocks and Ron in Belmore while Keith head to Urunga, a small town near Coffs Harbor.

It was Keith who took the initiative and organised for his brothers to visit him on Anzac Day in Urunga, which is renowned for its spectacular dawn service.

And it was from there they decided to take perhaps their last opportunity to march together.

Laurie said yesterday his family was doing well to have four World War II veterans still kicking on.

[naturalman1975]

Tomorrow, the 25th April, is ANZAC Day - the 92nd anniversary of the day that Australian and New Zealand troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, went ashore at Gallipoli, Turkey, marking the first time these nations had sent troops into battle as independent nations rather than as British colonies. It is the day that we honour our war dead.

If there's a trip one way, he said,
Into battle grim for me,
Don't let them say when I am dead:
He died to save democracy;
Nor let them say: He fought to free
Enslaved nations, white or brown;
Just print these simple words for me:

He would not let his cobbers down.

[sgtbono2002]

God Bless them.

[A Strict Constructionist]

“He would not let his cobbers down.”

A thought well worth remembering.

[JerseyJohn61]

Send them regards from my 89 year old dad. He fought side
by side with the “Rats of Tobruk” on New Guinea and to this
day he has nothing but respect for the Aussie soldier. He
remembers them as fierce and gallant warriors as well as
good hearted brothers-in-arms....JJ61

[wastedyears]

Good for these men.

[JerseyJohn61]

rebump

[DieHard the Hunter]

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

We will remember them.

ANZAC day is also celebrated tomorrow in New Zealand. It is the holiest of holy days in our national calendar.

To my Aussie mates, let’s hoist a pint or three after 1PM and buy a few rounds for the Diggers in honor of their Memory — any that are still amongst us at the RSA / RSL. Don’t miss Dawn Parade.

They are the Greatest Generation for a very, very good reason. Soon, they will no longer be amongst us, and we will be much the poorer as a result.

Ake Ake, Kia Kaha e!

*DieHard the Hunter*