The Captain led the ANZAC Day commemoration last night at the boathouse.

He noted that the Club annually remembers those members who were killed in action or on service for their country. Members of years past promised their comrades that at least once every year, their names should again be heard in the boathouse.

Sadly the last of our WWII and Vietnam serving personnel have gone and the stories that they told during our commemoration in past years captivated us. This has not stopped us remembering each year one or more of these members who did not return.

Club historian Andrew Guerin recounted the story of a WWI member who has not previously been the subject of our ANZAC Day Service - Robert J Robertson. 

Robertson was a natural leader of men and demonstrated the key characteristics of the ANZAC Legend, namely courage, tenacity, resourcefulness and mateship. His actions on the day of his death are recorded in Charles Bean's official history of WWI. His story is also a tragic love story - leaving behind a lover who he named as his next of kin as a cousin. She pined for him and despite being married, actively sought information of his progress, much to the chagrin of her husband. Robert died in the battle for Monquet Farm on 26th August 1916 and is buried at Pozieries.

Robert's story can be found at: Rower profile of SGT Robert J Robertson (rowinghistory-aus.info).

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them or the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget