An ANZAC Day Reflection

When my father died in 2002 he left me a small cigar box that contained a few belongings of his father, John Farley, who died in 1967. Born in 1892, John Farley enlisted in April of 1916 and as his discharge paper (3) shows, returned to civilian life in August of 1919, having served two years and 296 days ‘abroad’ on the Western Front. 

A stonemason by trade, John Farley remained a Private throughout his military service. While I was too young to know him, my father described my grandfather as a quiet man who was devoted to his wife and children, his extended family and community, his Catholic faith and belief that in human dignity, solidarity and the common good a better world was possible for everyone.

His time on the Western Front was occupied primarily as a ‘stretcher bearer’ - an ideal job for a short, stocky, strong man accustomed to lifting and shaping the Sydney sandstone he worked with throughout his life. 

Taciturn by nature, John Farley seldom spoke of his time at war but at least some insights are given in the few artefacts photographed here. The rosary beads (1) he kept on his person throughout his time away from home.  The pay books that showed the modest financial support his family was sent (4), (7) and (8), the 54th Battalion badge (2) and the simple service medals he received upon return (6).

At (5) you can see the piece of shrapnel that was removed from his arm - a minor wound in comparison to the carnage he was immersed in each day as a stretcher bearer in the hellscape that was the Western Front. 

Unlike so many others, John Farley returned to civilian life, was the father of seven more children apart from the young baby he farewelled in 1916. He knew the love and care of family and community that was denied to so many of his comrades in arms. In his unremarkable life after the war he got the chance to live a long and fulfilling life and to die in peace.

At a time when the people of Ukraine fight for life and survival in the face of appalling injustice and suffering it’s tempting to wonder whether we humans will ever learn. 

 In war we see the best and worst of humanity. That’s why we rightly honour the fallen, support and care for the wounded and affected returned service personnel and acknowledge the catastrophic affect war has on nameless and innumerable civilians all over the world. 

I pray that love and mercy prevails in our hearts and minds and that the gift of life is never taken for granted. 

Lest We Forget