Latest news with #Somme
The Age
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Magpies show strength in defeat, but big questions remain
Collingwood's strengths are threefold. First is the relatively large number of very capable and sound footballers in their best 23, Collingwood's coalition of the (highly) competent having increased with the additions of Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey. There's a depth of good players within their best team, albeit they would be in strife without either of the Mr Darcys (Moore and Cameron) or Nick Daicos. Second, they have exceptional leadership in their ranks. It was hardly a shock that there was an abrupt shift when Scott Pendlebury took the field after half-time, replacing another on-field coach in Jeremy Howe (groin); Pendlebury is the game's time lord. Loading Third, while talented, they are a formidable system team; to beat them, you have to penetrate what a fan dubbed 'the Fly trap' – a defensive method that makes the opposition work hard for scores, even when Collingwood are losing territory and clearances. On Friday night, they were smashed in the first half, yet held the Suns to 69 points by the end. The weaknesses? They can be sluggish in the middle, have periods of losing ascendancy in the contest/clearances, and are more reliant on senior citizens – those same superb leaders (Steele Sidebottom another) – than any other rival. Their excess/abundance of experience is both advantage and vulnerability. I guessed that they would struggle to contend in 2025, on the grounds that the age profile would bring injuries. To date, that assessment has been awry. They don't have depth in tall backs, hence the need for Moore to remain intact and even for Billy Frampton's return. Howe will be sorely missed against the Dockers next week, given Frampton won't be there either. Loading The Pies are comparable to themselves in 2023, although the superstitious among their hordes will also remember 2011, when they lost momentum late in the season and were overrun by Geelong, their bete noir, in the grand final. The events of 2011 are as relevant to McRae's team as the 1958 grand final, or the battle of the Somme. This team has a knack for confounding history. They do so by living in the now and 'managing the moments', as the coach says. McRae and his match committee have some hard calls ahead if they are to secure what would be a remarkable second flag inside three seasons. Jordan De Goey's body has failed him in 2025. Can he get back and if he does, whose spot does he take? If Collingwood are accustomed to life without De Goey, they must be mindful of his capacity to deliver in September. This column's guess is that the dice will be rolled, provided there are no further breakdowns. Mason Cox, who performed quite well on Friday night – holding rather than dropping most marks – is another vexing call for the Magpies. It does not seem feasible to have Cox combined with Cameron, Daniel McStay and Membrey. That McStay's ruckwork is iffy is a further complication. Tom Mitchell returned for his first game in a year against hapless Carlton, and the 2018 Brownlow medallist predictably thrived against a midfield that runs at his chugging velocity. In the first half on Friday, Mitchell was exposed for pace and did not deliver the ball well by foot, as Anderson and Matt Rowell owned the footy. McRae has to decide if he can risk a midfield with Mitchell, Sidebottom (who was sub par v the Suns), Pendlebury and the hard-working but limited Ned Long. Friday night's Carrara clash turned when Josh Daicos went on to the ball, which also permitted Dan Houston more licence to attack from half-back. Was this move a break-glass ploy, or one that McRae should persist with in the remaining home-and-away games? Greater football minds than mine will sort that one. The optimistic view of Collingwood's defeat is that they got off the floor when trailing by 40 points on the road, without six of their best 23, namely Brody Mihocek ('managed'), Pat Lipinski (ditto), Frampton, Beau McCreery, De Goey and Bobby Hill, who missed for the third week due to personal issues and was called 'day to day' by McRae. In the remaining rounds, McRae won't be managing the moments so much as managing bodies and minds, minimising risks while striving to keep that top-two spot and maintain the premiership mojo.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
More than a million who died at battle of Somme are remembered at Islandbridge commemoration
The battle of the Somme began on July 1st, 2016, and was '141 days of unrelenting horror that would claim over one million lives and scar a generation'. The bloodshed was for a gain of 10km, historian Nikki Carter told the annual National War Memorial Gardens commemoration at Islandbridge, Dublin, to mark the first World War battle. About 200,000 soldiers from the island of Ireland served over the course of the war, most of them volunteers. In all, 4,435 dead are listed in Ireland's memorial records, while the Imperial War Museum puts the figure at between 35,000 and 40,000. READ MORE 'As we remember the men of the Somme, the Ulstermen, the southern volunteers, and all those who gave everything, let us honour not just their courage, but the complexity of the world they came from and the legacy that they left behind,' Dr Carter told Saturday's gathering of about 650 people including military veterans, serving personnel, politicians and members of the diplomatic corps. This year's ceremony also marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion in Ireland, which organises the event. District chairman of the legion Paul Stephenson, who presided over the ceremony, said that since its foundation 'despite adversity and challenge, the legion has persevered through changing times'. 'As we have for a century, we pay tribute to those who served, ensuring that their legacy endures,' he said. Among veterans in attendance were Pat Whelan (89) from Irishtown, Dublin, who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the 1950s and the Defence Forces Reserve for 33 years, and Harry Daly (91) from Ballyfermot, also Dublin, who served in the Royal Ulster Rifles from 1954 to 1960. 'I joined the Defence Forces Reserve at 16-and-a-half and at 18 went to Belfast and joined the Royal Air Force,' Mr Whelan said. He served in Egypt and spent time in Aden, Yemen. His last posting was in Anglesey, north Wales, 'and I was able to go home every weekend from Holyhead'. Mr Daly was living in England and was called up for national service in 1954 and, wanting to serve with an Irish regiment, joined the Royal Ulster Rifles. Michael Dempsey laid a wreath on behalf of the French Foreign Legion Association Michael Dempsey, a former member of the French Foreign Legion from 1983 to 1990, laid an ivy wreath at the commemoration on behalf of the Foreign Legion association. Now a schoolbus driver in Kilkenny, he joined the legion for 'adventure'. He served in Djibouti in Africa, French Guiana in South America, Mururoa Atoll, south Pacific and in Corsica briefly with the Parachute Regiment and in France. 'I think it is very important to be here to remember those who lost their lives at the Somme,' he said. 'They were many and they were everybody, many nationalities including Germans.' During the ceremony Rev Peter Rutherford, chaplain to the Royal British Legion in Ireland, and Fr Paschal Hanrahan, Defence Forces head chaplain, led the dedication of a new replica of the Ginchy oak cross built by the 16th Irish division and originally erected on the Somme. The original will go on display in the National Museum of Ireland . During the moving ceremony, the traditional remembrance was read by Lt Col Ken Martin, beginning: 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.' The Last Post was played and two minutes' silence observed before the wreath-laying ceremony. The first wreaths were laid by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, and High Sheriff of Belfast, Fiona McAteer. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless laid a wreath on behalf of the Government. Northern First Minister Michelle O'Neill was represented by junior minister Aisling Reilly. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was represented by junior minister Pam Cameron. Wreaths were also laid by the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána , members of the Diplomatic corps, the Royal British Legion and other veterans' associations.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Beatable, yet hard to beat: The hard calls facing Collingwood
Collingwood's strengths are three-fold. First is the relatively large number of very capable and sound footballers in their best 23, Collingwood's coalition of the (highly) competent having increased with the additions of Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey. There's a depth of good players within their best team, albeit they would be in strife without either of the Mr Darcys (Moore and Cameron) or Nick Daicos. Second – they have exceptional leadership in their ranks. It was hardly a shock that there was an abrupt shift when Scott Pendlebury took the field after half-time, replacing another on-field coach in Jeremy Howe (groin); Pendlebury is the game's time lord. Loading Third – while talented, they are a formidable system team; to beat them, you have to penetrate what a fan dubbed 'the Fly trap' – a defensive method that makes the opposition work hard for scores, even when Collingwood are losing territory and clearances. On Friday night, they were smashed in the first half, yet held the Suns to 69 points by the end. The weaknesses? They can be sluggish in the middle, have periods of losing ascendancy in the contest/clearances, and are more reliant on senior citizens – those same superb leaders (Steele Sidebottom another) – than any other rival. Their excess/abundance of experience is both advantage and vulnerability. I guessed that they would struggle to contend in 2025, on the grounds that the age profile would bring injuries. To date, that assessment has been awry. They don't have depth in tall backs, hence the need for Moore to remain intact and even for Billy Frampton's return. Howe will be sorely missed against the Dockers next week, given Frampton won't be there either. Loading The Pies are comparable to themselves in 2023, although the superstitious among their hordes will also remember 2011, when they lost momentum late in the season and were overrun by Geelong, their bete noir, in the grand final. The events of 2011 are as relevant to McRae's team as the 1958 grand final, or the battle of the Somme. This team has a knack for confounding history. They do so by living in the now and 'managing the moments', as the coach says. McRae and his match committee have some hard calls ahead if they are to secure what would be a remarkable second flag inside three seasons. Jordan De Goey's body has failed him in 2025. Can he get back and if he does, whose spot does he take? If Collingwood are accustomed to life without De Goey, they must be mindful of his capacity to deliver in September. This column's guess is that the dice will be rolled, provided there are no further breakdowns. Mason Cox, who performed quite well on Friday night – holding rather than dropping most marks – is another vexing call for the Magpies. It does not seem feasible to have Cox combined with Cameron, Daniel McStay and Membrey. That McStay's ruckwork is iffy is a further complication. Tom Mitchell returned for his first game in a year against hapless Carlton, and the 2018 Brownlow medallist predictably thrived against a midfield that runs at his chugging velocity. In the first half on Friday, Mitchell was exposed for pace and did not deliver the ball well by foot, as Anderson and Matt Rowell owned the footy. McRae has to decide if he can risk a midfield with Mitchell, Sidebottom (who was sub par v the Suns), Pendlebury and the hard-working but limited Ned Long. Friday night's Carrara clash turned when Josh Daicos went on to the ball, which also permitted Dan Houston more licence to attack from half-back. Was this move a break-glass ploy, or one that McRae should persist with in the remaining home-and-away games? Greater football minds than mine will sort that one. The optimistic view of Collingwood's defeat is that they got off the floor when trailing by 40 points on the road, without six of their best 23, namely Brody Mihocek ('managed'), Pat Lipinski (ditto), Frampton, Beau McCreery, De Goey and Bobby Hill, who missed for the third week due to personal issues and was called 'day to day' by McRae. In the remaining rounds, McRae won't be managing the moments so much as managing bodies and minds, minimising risks while striving to keep that top-two spot and maintain the premiership mojo.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Beatable, yet hard to beat: The hard calls facing Collingwood
Collingwood's strengths are three-fold. First is the relatively large number of very capable and sound footballers in their best 23, Collingwood's coalition of the (highly) competent having increased with the additions of Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey. There's a depth of good players within their best team, albeit they would be in strife without either of the Mr Darcys (Moore and Cameron) or Nick Daicos. Second – they have exceptional leadership in their ranks. It was hardly a shock that there was an abrupt shift when Scott Pendlebury took the field after half-time, replacing another on-field coach in Jeremy Howe (groin); Pendlebury is the game's time lord. Loading Third – while talented, they are a formidable system team; to beat them, you have to penetrate what a fan dubbed 'the Fly trap' – a defensive method that makes the opposition work hard for scores, even when Collingwood are losing territory and clearances. On Friday night, they were smashed in the first half, yet held the Suns to 69 points by the end. The weaknesses? They can be sluggish in the middle, have periods of losing ascendancy in the contest/clearances, and are more reliant on senior citizens – those same superb leaders (Steele Sidebottom another) – than any other rival. Their excess/abundance of experience is both advantage and vulnerability. I guessed that they would struggle to contend in 2025, on the grounds that the age profile would bring injuries. To date, that assessment has been awry. They don't have depth in tall backs, hence the need for Moore to remain intact and even for Billy Frampton's return. Howe will be sorely missed against the Dockers next week, given Frampton won't be there either. Loading The Pies are comparable to themselves in 2023, although the superstitious among their hordes will also remember 2011, when they lost momentum late in the season and were overrun by Geelong, their bete noir, in the grand final. The events of 2011 are as relevant to McRae's team as the 1958 grand final, or the battle of the Somme. This team has a knack for confounding history. They do so by living in the now and 'managing the moments', as the coach says. McRae and his match committee have some hard calls ahead if they are to secure what would be a remarkable second flag inside three seasons. Jordan De Goey's body has failed him in 2025. Can he get back and if he does, whose spot does he take? If Collingwood are accustomed to life without De Goey, they must be mindful of his capacity to deliver in September. This column's guess is that the dice will be rolled, provided there are no further breakdowns. Mason Cox, who performed quite well on Friday night – holding rather than dropping most marks – is another vexing call for the Magpies. It does not seem feasible to have Cox combined with Cameron, Daniel McStay and Membrey. That McStay's ruckwork is iffy is a further complication. Tom Mitchell returned for his first game in a year against hapless Carlton, and the 2018 Brownlow medallist predictably thrived against a midfield that runs at his chugging velocity. In the first half on Friday, Mitchell was exposed for pace and did not deliver the ball well by foot, as Anderson and Matt Rowell owned the footy. McRae has to decide if he can risk a midfield with Mitchell, Sidebottom (who was sub par v the Suns), Pendlebury and the hard-working but limited Ned Long. Friday night's Carrara clash turned when Josh Daicos went on to the ball, which also permitted Dan Houston more licence to attack from half-back. Was this move a break-glass ploy, or one that McRae should persist with in the remaining home-and-away games? Greater football minds than mine will sort that one. The optimistic view of Collingwood's defeat is that they got off the floor when trailing by 40 points on the road, without six of their best 23, namely Brody Mihocek ('managed'), Pat Lipinski (ditto), Frampton, Beau McCreery, De Goey and Bobby Hill, who missed for the third week due to personal issues and was called 'day to day' by McRae. In the remaining rounds, McRae won't be managing the moments so much as managing bodies and minds, minimising risks while striving to keep that top-two spot and maintain the premiership mojo.
Otago Daily Times
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Statue to honour local war hero
An Oamaru war hero killed at the Battle of the Somme may finally take pride and place in his hometown. The New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) plan to honour Victoria Cross recipient, Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown with a life-size bronze statue. Sgt Brown was the first VC recipient for heroism on the Western Front, and the only man from North Otago to be honoured out of 23 New Zealand VC medal winners. New Zealand Remembrance Army member Barry Gamble, who initiated the project, said the plan to build a statute of Sgt Brown was to pay tribute to a local and national hero. "It's all about recognition, honouring this man, who is a true blue Kiwi farmer, who spent most of his short life working the land and then bravely fought for his country." On the opening day of New Zealand's Somme campaign in France, on September 15, 1916, Brown charged and captured key enemy machine-gun positions, helping New Zealand forces to push through German lines. During another attack two weeks later, on the Somme front, Brown told his men to take cover and took two trenches on by himself, chasing the enemy down before he was killed by machine-gun fire at the age of 26, Mr Gamble said. The 1916 Somme offensive was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War (1914-18). The posthumous VC award for gallantry was presented to his father, Robert Brown in Oamaru by the Governor-General, Lord Liverpool in 1917. Mr Gamble said the statue would provide educational, cultural and commemorative value to the Oamaru community and visitors and preserve Sgt Brown's legacy for generations to come. "All the other towns have honoured their Victoria Cross winners with statues and paintings, why not Oamaru ... it's something that we can be really proud of." A former student of Waitaki Boys' High School and a Totara farmer, Sgt Brown was born in 1890 in Dunedin and moved to Oamaru with his family in the mid 1890s, where his father set up a successful drapery business and department store which was eventually named the Polytechnic. Making early sacrifices to enlist with the army, Brown sold his farm on Waiareka Rd in Totara, and gave away his dog, and his horse "and away he went", Mr Gamble said. Your Loving Son, Don, a book of letters he wrote home to his father from the war, was published in 1998 by Sgt Brown's niece Eunice P. Brown. In April, 1916 while stationed in Egypt he wrote about the comfort of his fellow soldiers from the Otago Infantry Regiment in the 10th North Otago Company and their plan to return home. "Its just great the number of Oamaru boys one finds here, and one and all are certain, old Oamaru is quite good enough for us in future." Mr Gamble said despite a photo of Sgt Brown in the Waitaki District Council chambers and his name on the honours board at Waitaki Boys' High School he had "largely been forgotten by Oamaru". "It's quite sad because we've got a proud heritage of buildings, and we've got some of the best memorial statues in the country, like the Hall of Memories." Mr Gamble has driven many projects to honour soldiers, including helping to restore the graves of former military personnel in the Waitaki district. He is also the Oamaru RSA local support adviser. The costing for the monument would be about $160,000, he said. Bob Brown, of Rakaia, the great-nephew of the war hero, was thrilled to be involved and donated $10,000 towards the project, Mr Gamble said. "They were really, really stoked that someone was wanting to do this and they're right behind me." Former New Zealand Army artist Matt Gauldie will be commissioned to create the statue. Gauldie produced a miniature paying close attention to details, at $2000 for the purposes of fundraising. "He's very clever ... a lot of work has gone into this to make sure that he's got all the right war equipment on," Mr Gamble said. NZRA put $1500 towards the concept plan and the Waitaki District Council are in support of the project, he said. Mr Gamble said they estimated the project would take a year and a half to complete and he will be seeking donations from the public and organisations. A final site for the public statue is yet to be determined. The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the British decorations system and is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British and Commonwealth armed services.
