Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on April 25 every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I . It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for the country.
In Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day commemoration features solemn “Dawn Services”, a tradition started in Albany, Western Australia on 25 April 1923and now held at war memorials around both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of The Last Post on the bugle . The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen (known as the “Ode of Remembrance “) is often recited.
Anzac Day is a national public holiday in Australia and is considered one of the most spiritual and solemn days of the year . Marches by veterans from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, with allied veterans as well as the Australian Defence Force Cadets and Australian Air League and supported by members of Scouts Australia, Guides Australia , and other uniformed service groups, are held in cities and towns nationwide. The Anzac Day Parade from each state capital is televised live with commentary. These events are generally followed by social gatherings of veterans, hosted either in a public house or in an RSL Club, often including a traditional Australian gambling game called two-up which was an extremely popular pastime with ANZAC soldiers. The importance of this tradition is demonstrated by the fact that though most Australian states have laws forbidding gambling outside of designated licensed venues, on Anzac Day it is legal to play “two-up”.
For young Australians and Kiwis in London Anzac Day is a day to gather together and enjoy the companionship of being with fellow Antipodeans. In the London Walkabout bars LMM arrange a strong line up of Australian and New Zealand cover bands playing a mixture of rock and pop party anthems with Australian and Kiwi rock anthems.
LMM arrange for a bugler to play the last post in each of the London Walkabouts and there is always a respectful silence as the bugler plays and the ode is read.In Australia
the increasingly carnival like atmosphere surrounding Anzac Day, now that young Australians have embraced the public holiday,has been critised by some people but as an Englishman I marvel at the patrotism displayed by a packed pub full of young Aussies who are able to be disciplined and serious enough to retain a minutes silence and in some small way commerate the sacrifices of their ancestors. I can not think of a similar English equivelent.It takes a major, recent, tragedy to quieten a football stadium and I cannot imagine trying to silence a packed pub full of inebriated English people to observe a minutes silence on Remembrance Day.
Bands playing around London at Temple Walkabout,Shepherds Bush Walkabout,Putney Walkabout,Finchley Road Walkabout and Sheftesbury Avenue Walkabout for LMM on April 25 2009 included
Platform Six http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Platform+Six
Plan B http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Plan+B
The Hi Fidels http://www.lmmuk.com/band/The+Hi-Fidels
Bigdog
Electric Mayhem http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Electric+Mayhem
Lawrence Carmichael http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Lawrence+Carmichael
Great party DJS included Deano and DJ Yax Man http://www.lmmuk.com/band/DJ+Yax+Man
LMM have been booking Aussie party cover bands,DJs and solo acts for over ten years in the Walkabout bars to commerate Anzac Day in London.Most of them can be found on www.lmmuk.com in the party rock section and should you wish to book an Aussie or Kiwi party covers band for your event,wedding or party please visit our website or call 08454 900515.
Staying with the military theme LMM enjoyed a fantastic night out at the CSE and The BFBS Big Salute Comedy Club on Monday April 27 on board the Tattershall Castle which is moored on the Thames outside Temple Walkabout.
This great comedy night was a charity fund raiser for 5 very deserving Forces charities…Combat Stress,Blesma,Veterans Aid,Headley Court and St Dunstans.Last year The Big Salute raised over £100,000 with military and MOD personnel all over the world taking part in fund raising events.
On Monday LMM were treating to an amazing line up of talent including Paul Tonkinson as compere and host for the evening,The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue,Ian Stone,Junior Simpson and Terry Alderton many of whom are familiar from their appearances on TV.
They were all brilliant .Tim,Alex and myself were all crying with laughter for most of the evening.
The boys from our great party band Lucas also joined us for a couple of quick shandys on the night.You can see video of Lucas live on stage at an overseas military event here http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Lucas
They are a fantastic live band for any military ball (they have tons of experience playing for the military) or indeed any wedding,event or party. Nice guys too!!
Lucas are one of the best party bands in the UK.Ideal for military events,Universities,weddings and parties
