[naturalman1975]

There's absolutely nothing wrong - indeed, I think it's a very good idea - to make sure the contributions of colonial troops from places in Africa and Asia are acknowledged. They fought for King and Country, and for the Empire, as much as any others - and perhaps with less reason to do so than some others, and they deserve to be remembered.

But failing to acknowledge the contributions of countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand isn't necessary to do that.

[tet68]

Right you are. Perhaps we will see this once the
anniversery gets here.
Wish I could tour the battlefields.

[naturalman1975]

"The British pretty much lost the war in July 1918, they were in retreat and it was the Australians and New Zealanders who got put into the gap... they were the ones that held up the Germans in places like Hamel (Somme, northern France), with the Americans too but basically the well-trained Australians, pretty battle hardened by then, who stopped the Germans. If they had got to Amiens the game would have been gone because that was where the British communication system were. That needs recognition."

The Battle of Hamel - 4th July 1918 - marked the first time Australian and American troops went into battle together. Four American companies (originally more, but some were sent elsewhere before the battle began) were incorporated into the Australian Corps under Lieutenant General John Monash.

[Maine Mariner]

Well after General Hamilton had so many ANZAC troops needlessly slaughtered on the beaches and hills of Gallopi, I would not be surprised if Australia and New Zeland would really want to be recognized.

[yarddog]

In his “History of World War II” Churchill often mentioned his fear that the Australian Prime Minister would pull Australian troops from the ETA and return them to Australia because of the Japanese threat.

He managed to keep them but I could understand the Australians position.

[Iron Munro]

Before the disease of political correctness runs its course around the world, we will have history books teaching children that African blacks developed the nuclear reactor, Mexicans won the war in the Pacific in WWII, muslims put the first man on the moon and homosexuals built the transcontinental railroad.

[Truth29]

More PC writing of history to meet current political goals. Maybe Australia and New Zealand can find a creative way to express their displeasure ... if they even care what the remade, non-British, Britain thinks.

[Timber Rattler]

Hmmmm...on the first day of the Somme, the ANZACs were the only ones who carried their objectives. Seems like a grotesque omission to me, as well as of the Canadians.

[Gay State Conservative]

Although one of my grandparents was a British subject at birth (born in Ireland in the late 1800’s) I don't know much about the British empire.However,if an Aussie,a Kenyan,a Canadian,a South African (white *or* black),a Fijian or a Kiwi fought bravely for the King/Queen that individual should be honored,rewarded and held in high esteem.

[BenLurkin]

Gallipoli.

[PotatoHeadMick]

This isn’t Murdoch’s press stirring the old pommie-bashing up just a wee bit is it?

There seems to be a conflation of two things; an idea about showing how colonial troops (there was no such thing as the “New Commonwealth” back then, isn’t today either if it comes to that) also served, as you say yourself that’s fair enough.

Then asking is there a going to be a specific mention of the ANZACs and the official replied nothing as such yet but it’s a four-year commemoration so they’re bound to come up. Jeez you’d be hard-pressed to discuss WWI and not mention the ANZACs. It’s a bit of a stretch to then say Britain is going to “whitewash” out the Diggers.

A storm in a teacup, not assisted by the sloppy journo-speak, no-one in Britain refers to the New Commonwealth anymore, not since about 1970 anyway and there will be no “federal” election in the UK next year.

I’ve treated Murdoch’s press on Aussie history with a large lump of salt since The Australian said in its editorial on ANZAC Day 2003 something to the effect that hard as it is to imagine now, but back then Australians regarded themselves as British. Hard for whom? No one with two functioning brain synapses and the slightest grasp of Australian history would have difficulties understanding that basic fact.