alantwo Posted 30 March , 2015 Share Posted 30 March , 2015 A couple of images of the Gallipoli Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. Rather nice mosaic of the peninsular. Regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 30 March , 2015 Share Posted 30 March , 2015 Yes, I saw this on Friday. I rather thought the bare trees in the background were more relevant to the Somme than Gallipoli though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbarchetta Posted 31 March , 2015 Share Posted 31 March , 2015 Not sure I see the point of the "rather nice mosaic"... is it made from pieces of glass found on the beaches, or have anything relevant to the campaign shown on it (apart from a very basic outline of the landmass)? Likewise the main sign - lovely modern thing with absolutely no relevance other than the title! If you are going to make something for this, why would you not make it 'appropriate', bringing in some atmosphere, or at least something relevant!! NMA seems to have no artistic or cultural control at all, with the site ending up a mish-mash of random 'memorials' - some awful, some very poignant, with the latter somewhat diminished by the former, IMHO. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 31 March , 2015 Share Posted 31 March , 2015 There is some background to the design here: http://gallipolidardanelles.com/the-story-behind-the-gallipoli-memorial/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbarchetta Posted 31 March , 2015 Share Posted 31 March , 2015 Thanks, Gareth - that helps a bit, but I'm still utterly underwhelmed! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 31 March , 2015 Share Posted 31 March , 2015 I share your underwhelment (underwhelmness?). The pedant in me says that arboretumns (arboreta?) are all about growing trees not dead trees, regardless of the symbolism that a dead tree might have, and so based on that basis I find it a little ill-judged. I would have expected some pine trees at the very least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 31 March , 2015 Share Posted 31 March , 2015 I'm sorry that some of you don't like the mosaic, however taste is very personal and it is no doubt a good thing that there is some diversity amongst us. The following is from The Gallipolian (No. 105, Autumn 2004 - the journal of The Gallipoli Association). It was written by Mr Roger Pepper who laid the wreath on behalf of the association at the memorial's dedication"The Memorial, … … was designed by Turkish architect Nadir Imamoglu, has two key elements. A large map of the Gallipoli Peninsula created by gluing small pieces of coloured glass on to a toughened glass background. Surrounding the map are nine tall oak logs, the branches, resembling outstretched arms, representing those who died at Gallipoli. The logs, between sixteen and twenty-three years of age, reflect the age range of many of the casualties of 1915. Each is linked by a spiked chain, this to emphasise the extraordinary bond between all those who served at Gallipoli. Behind is an outer circle of nine holly-oak trees representing hope and future peace. A short text briefly summarises the campaign, while panels contain the famous words by Ataturk "Those heroes who shed their blood " and words by Aspinall-Oglander from page 343 of the first volume of the Official History commencing "The grassy slopes that crown the cliffs are carpeted with flowers. The azure sky is cloudless; the air is fragrant with the scent of wild thyme. In front, beyond a smiling valley studded with cypress and olive " Mr Nadir Imamoglu is in the process of refurbishing the memorial and I understand that the original trees with outstretched arms, representing those who died at Gallipoli have been recently replaced with oak instead of chestnut, de-barked and vacuum treated to stop insect attack. The next stage is the mosaic glass map and this will, I understand, be worked upon this summer. Mr Imamoglu has been supported in this work by donations from the Gallipoli Association and others. The Gallipoli Memorial was the first site at the NMA seen by Archbishop Welby on his recent visit; I believe that his grandfather served in the campaign. regards Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilly100 Posted 31 March , 2015 Share Posted 31 March , 2015 Well said Michael. Thanks for the thorough, as usual, explanation. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alantwo Posted 31 March , 2015 Author Share Posted 31 March , 2015 Thanks Michael. Regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 7 April , 2019 Share Posted 7 April , 2019 Rather underwhelming is putting it mildly. Rather erroneous and derogatory wording re the Anzac forces landing. I would rather there was nothing there than this second rate contribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 9 April , 2019 Share Posted 9 April , 2019 On 07/04/2019 at 20:02, Dr Reg Fardell said: Rather erroneous and derogatory wording re the Anzac forces landing. Welcome to the GWF For the benefit of those not familiar with the text, would you mind elaborating as to what exactly it is that you find “erroneous and derogatory” in the wording re the Anzac forces landing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilly100 Posted 10 April , 2019 Share Posted 10 April , 2019 Quote It probably says 'they landed us on the wrong effing beach where all their bloody machine guns are!!! " Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 10 April , 2019 Share Posted 10 April , 2019 (edited) Thank you Ian, I have photographs of two of the the text panels, from my visit a couple of years ago: the MKA text and that from the British Official History, Vol.1, page 343 But I cannot think what has so upset our new member Edited 11 April , 2019 by michaeldr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Regiano Posted 10 April , 2019 Share Posted 10 April , 2019 2 hours ago, michaeldr said: But I cannot think what has so upset our new member Possibly the incorrect use of the apostrophe in the Captain Aspinall quote? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 11 April , 2019 Share Posted 11 April , 2019 (edited) The full text can be read here https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/68587 scroll down to 'Inscription' Edited 11 April , 2019 by michaeldr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 11 April , 2019 Share Posted 11 April , 2019 It is a pity that our new member has not provided any clarification but as far as I can see he must be referring to “...and the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACS) coming ashore, by error, at the now famous Anzac Cove.” Surely a simple statement of fact, in all probability influenced by the British OH from which the other quotation was also taken. See page 174 “Lieut. Waterlow catching sight of Ari Burnu on his port bow, mistook it for Gaba Tepe. Jumping to the erroneous conclusion that he was a mile south of his course, he at once starboarded his helm, and made for a point actually north of Anzac Cove.” (my emphasis) See Sketch No.6 Perhaps if more space had been available then the wording could have read “... coming ashore, by error of the Royal Navy, at the...” But there we are; no memorial ever had enough space to provide the full story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 19 April , 2019 Share Posted 19 April , 2019 Following a report we considered removing an unexplained contentious post, but as there has been further comment it can stand. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now