An Anzac Tribute
Corporal Edmund Campion Parkinson served in the 48th Battalion
Pozieres was the battalion’s first major battle, where it suffered 598 casualties. They also fought at Ypres. In 1917 and 1918, Corporal Parkinson and the 48th fought in battles at Bullecourt and Passchendaele. The latter two were major engagements fought by the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the Western Front.
He was my Poppa.
As a little girl, I thought World War I seemed like a big laugh, as all I heard about the war were the funny stories. It sounded like a real hoot. Of course, as I grew older, I realised that those handfuls of stories on high rotation were what Poppa chose to share and focus on.
The rest was unspeakable.
In 2017, I went to the Canberra War Memorial for the first time. On the walls, it was written that the widely held view was that “The Western Front made Gallipoli seem like a picnic.” He had become a Christian at that time through the kindness shown to him by The Salvation Army in the war, and in doing so left another legacy to his family and me.
Tomorrow, I will remember my Dad’s father with love and empathy. And continue to hope and pray for peace.
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