The Mothers of Veterans

Mother waits for her son's return

Australia`s greatest naval tragedy took place in November 1941 off the Western Australian coast when the Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Sydney II engaged a German armed raider Kormoran with the loss of both ships. 

Apart from two pieces of debris, no sign was found of Sydney or the 645 aboard. It was the largest loss of life in the history of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the largest Allied warship lost with all hands during World War Two.

The two wrecks were eventually located in March 2008.

At the Geraldton, WA memorial to those who perished in this event, the dome has 645 doves cut into it.

Mothers have always waited anxiously for their sons to return from active service and this lovely story below relates one of them in one of Australia's recent conflicts:

Maggie stood at the edge of the jetty in Batemans Bay, salt breeze tangling her hair, watching the horizon she’d watched since Tom was a boy. He had always loved the water—building rafts from driftwood, learning the names of birds—and when he joined the ADF it felt like the sea had simply become larger. She thought of the first letter that arrived in a plain brown envelope, the neat handwriting she recognised instantly. “Mum,” it began, “I’m learning to steer by the stars.”

Their mornings settled into a gentle rhythm. Maggie would make two cups of tea—one for herself, one for the empty chair—while she read the local paper and folded Tom’s old shirts into the bottom drawer, the one he’d left a loose button on as if he might call back and ask for it. On weekends she volunteered at the RSL, knitting small beanies for babies born to partners of service members and brewing too-strong coffee for the veterans who told stories in low, proud voices.

When Tom came home on leave, the house filled with his easy laugh and the smell of eucalyptus from his boots. They’d walk the headland and he’d point out constellations the way he’d learnt them on deployment, and she’d tell him trivial things she’d noticed—Mrs. Lee’s garden had bloomed early this year, the bakery had a new loaf. He listened, patient and present, and somehow the ordinary details stitched the months apart into one continuous life.

The night before he left again, they sat on the verandah and watched the fishing boats slip past under a silver moon. “Come back to my garden,” Maggie said softly. Tom squeezed her hand. “Always, Mum,” he said. Later, when the letters resumed and the jar of small shells on the windowsill grew thicker, Maggie would read them aloud to the gum trees—an offering to the land that had kept them both steady through every tide.

- Author unknown

PS: Are you the mother (or wife) of a veteran? Do you have a story to tell us? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks to our Supporters - ANZAC Day Events

Support those who support RSL Tanunda. 

It begins with our memorabilia sales:

Twice annually, before ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day we hold two days of sales kiosks outside Foodland Tanunda that generously allow us to use its premises.

And ends with ANZAC Day's commemorative service:

This year an inordinately large number of people attended our service and our RSL Hut at Tanunda Recreation Park for the traditional GUNFIRE BREAKFAST (That always includes a tot of rum, usually donated by Mr Tony Pasin, MP)

At 11 am veterans, serving members and others march from Basedow Road along Bilyara Road to the RSL Hut.

Flag carriers and Pipe Band approach the Hut

At the Hut, located within the Tanunda Recreational Park in 1947, we hold a luncheon that is attended by a large number of supporters and members.

This year, the $10 lunch excelled itself - the best lunch ever with chicken and salad, many add-ons, and orange juice and at-cost refreshments from our well-stocked bar. Non-alcoholic drinks are also provided.

Everyone who attended our Luncheon seemed to have a great time and there were many interesting stories told.

During the Luncheon the winner of this year's ANZAC Day Poetry Competition had her poem read and received a very handsome plaque. 

The poem had also been read at our Dawn Service.

Our Management Committee and members thank everyone involved in our major annual event and if you couldn't make it this time, we look forward to meeting you either at our Remembrance Day event on 11 November or on 25 April 2027.

In the interim, our Hut is open most Friday evenings from 5 pm and visitors are always welcome.

Our Memorabilia Sales Drive - Thursday and Friday 23 and 24th April

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. 

As a self-funded not-for-profit organisation we pay our way raising revenue from bar sales, Foodland memorabilia sales, sausage sizzles at Mitre 10, and generous donations.

Many of those donations come from the much appreciated generosity of numbers of wineries and other commercial businesses in the Barossa, most of whom are facing increasing costs as we all are. 

Without all above, we could not operate. Occasional Federal, State and Local government grants do not cover our operating expenses, they are usually for capital projects eg, building a roof over our field gun or changing internal lighting from flourescent to LED. 

Our revenue enables us to run the two commemorative events annually ie, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, and includes supporting our fellow veterans and their supporters socially, and through advocacy as we meet the RSL Objects. We also make our Hut property available for organisations seeking training or meeting venues. 

See here for Statement of Purpose and Objects.

Private James MARTIN - Our Youngest ANZAC

The Hut will not be open on 24 APRIL for Happy Hour as we prepare for ANZAC Day 

Throughout our short history, we've had many heroes, some named and many others who served with anonymity. Most of us have no knowledge of Private James Martin.

Just a boy, with the fervour of a patriot and much older men. He was not the only youngster to enlist and end up in action during the first World War, but was the youngest.

As we near ANZAC Day, it's timely to remember James and the sacrifice he and his family made.

Private James Martin, 14 years old

In the editor's view, anyone who served in a combat role on our behalf is a hero. Here is a video about James and his short life. Stop the video if you haven't had time to read the text.

Private James Martin Youngest ANZAC

What to expect on ANZAC Day at Tanunda

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. 

If you join us for ANZAC Day on 25 April 2026, and we hope you do, this is our program:

 

6:15am - the haunting sounds of RSL Tanunda’s Lone Piper, Alistair McCallum, commences RSL Tanunda’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Memorial Gardens, corner Murray and Bridge Streets Tanunda.

 

6:30am - the Dawn Service begins commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, and to reflect on the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

 

7:00am - the Dawn Service concludes with The Ode, followed by The Last Post and the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems as the morning sun rises and heralds in the dawn of a new day. Lutheran Homes Barossa’s Pastor Lutz will lead the service. Tanunda Town Band will provide musical accompaniment for the Tanunda Liedertafel and NZ Army veteran, Shelley Spencer will play The Last Post.

 

Immediately after the Dawn Service, the traditional Gunfire Breakfast is served at 'The Hut', RSL Tanunda's clubrooms located at the Tanunda Recreation Park. The menu includes egg and bacon rolls, barista coffee, a tot of rum courtesy of Tony Pasin MP, and juice for children.

 

10:45 - 11:00am - Veteran’s March. Veterans and others who wish to march gather in Basedow Road near the corner of Murray Street at 10:45am and step-off at 11:00am accompanied by Barossa Pipes and Drums. Marchers pass dignitaries located at the Tanunda rotunda down Bilyara Road, into the Tanunda Recreational Park ending at The Hut.

The salute is being taken by our most senior member, Colonel Evan Allanson (Ret), centenarian veteran, Esther Whitelum, and its Vietnam veteran Vice-President Patsy Biscoe AM.

 

Please join RSL Tanunda to commemorate this most important of days.

 

Lest we forget!