Anzac Day respects paid in Orkney

Those who lost their lives during wartime from Australia and New Zealand have been remembered in a service here in Orkney today, Anzac Day, the national day of remembrance in both those countries.

In World War One, a campaign was launched on the Gallipoli Peninsula aimed at the capture of the Dardanelles, and so securing the free passage of shipping to the Black Sea.

The campaign was launched on April 25, 1915, and troops from both Australia and New Zealand were at the forefront of the attack, and they suffered heavy casualties.

To mark the occasion in Orkney, a contingent from the Kirkwall branch of the Royal British Legion led the remembrance ceremony, at the four Anzac war graves at St Olaf’s Cemetery, which was also attended by members of the Stromness branch of the Royal British Legion, and members of the Orkney branch of the Royal Naval Association.

Kirkwall Legion president Eddy Ross carried out a service of remembrance at the graveside.

Australian Orkney resident Suzanne Carter was asked to lay a wreath to mark the occasion. Also among those present was Janine Miller, wife of Australian national Greg Miller who also lives in Orkney.

This year the wreath was laid on the final resting place of 27–year–old Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve pilot, Lieutenant (A) Thomas Noel Bush, who was tragically killed on December 5, 1942.

Lt Bush’s Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter plunged from the sky above Kirkwall straight into the Peedie Sea — while, only yards away, people were in their homes, or going about their daily business.

On that fateful day, Lt Bush arrived to pick up the aircraft and, following a few pre-flight checks, took to the air.

However, within minutes witnesses heard the aircraft`s engine revving at high speed and, from a height of approximately 600ft, it dived straight down into the Peedie Sea, killing the pilot instantly.

Local emergency services and personnel from HMS Sparrowhawk were quickly on the scene, but nothing could be done for the unfortunate pilot.

Lt Bush’s body was recovered from the wreckage and he was buried, with full military honours, in St Olaf`s Cemetery, on the outskirts of Kirkwall, on December 7, 1942.

Kirkwall branch of the Royal British Legion chairman Dougie Manson said: “Those who died came from far and wide to serve their countries overseas, coming here today is the least we can do to remember them. It is important that we mark the sacrifice they made.”