In 1919, hundreds of thousands of Diggers returned to Australia after the war to end all wars, where the art of mechanised killing and chemical warfare was tuned into an art Form.
With the horrors of 5 years of merciless, unrelenting mass slaughter fresh in their minds, the primary message most received was “hand in your rifle” and “thanks for coming”.
The term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder hadn’t yet been invented and about the only war related illness that was recognised was what, at the time, was called “Shell Shock”. On top of that was the large number of physically maimed and disfigured warriors wandering around struggling to adapt to Peace.
Many of the returned Diggers found difficulty adapting to the peacetime world, with many dying from their war injuries. Many were honoured for their service with a grave and headstone provided by the Government. Many, however, were not so fortunate, with a significant number buried in unmarked, long forgotten graves around the country.
As the decades have passed, so too has the collective memory of these brave young Australians who put their lives on the line for the freedoms that we, as Australians, enjoy Today.
For over 100 years we have intoned “Lest We Forget”, but for thousands, sadly, they have been forgotten.
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