The Great War Trail
How well I remember that terrible day
When our blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter
Johnny Turk, he was ready, he primed himself well
He rained us with bullets, and he showered us with shell
And in five minutes flat, we were all blown to hell
He nearly blew us back home to Australia
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we stopped to bury our slain
Well we buried ours and the Turks buried theirs
Then it started all over again
On Armistice Day, November 11th, the College World War I History Trail was launched in the Creative Arts & Digital Learning Centre.
The Trail recalls the impact of the Great War on the lives and times of those who endured it, and, of course, those who have lived with its consequences.
Different sections recalled the role of Women, Children, Animals, Great War Poetry and Literature.
Those who fought and those who did not are recognised. Each had their own reason, their own motive.
Unionists and Nationalists fought side-by-side for very different reasons. Similarly, Republicans and Conscientious Objectors refused to participate, again from different perspectives.
53 past students of Blackrock College lost their lives in the Great War. Each one was remembered by a Poppy hung on the wall. The Poppy, delicate but resilient, grows easily on any terrain and is an appropriate token of appreciation for the sacrifices of others. (8 Blackrock College past-students fell at the Battle of Gallipoli)
I thank Ms Harlowe, Ms O’Connor, Ms C Mullan and Ms Marrey for their organisation of the Exhibition (Trail) from the Learning Centre to the History Room & St Patrick’s Corridor. Within it, there is much of interest, much to understand, much to appreciate.