NEWS | Anzacremembrancecio

WHAT'S NEWS WITH A.R.C.I.O.?

JUNE/JULY 2026

A warm welcome to all of our 'Friends of ANZAC REMEMBRANCE', both established and new. On behalf of the Trustees, I hope you enjoy reading about what's been happening over the past couple of months for the charity and for those volunteers who have been helping us around the U.K. Despite the extremely hot weather we have been subject to over the past couple of months both here in France and in the U.K. things are still moving and happening with the charity, including exciting news about our Cross Laying Project. So, as I usually say ... sit down and enjoy the read.

A KIND DONATION FROM HAREFIELD LODGE

A very big thank you goes out this month to Harefield Masonic Lodge who have kindly made a welcome donation to ANZAC REMEMBRANCE. Contacted a couple of weeks ago, I was informed by the Treasurer of the Lodge that sadly they were having to close their branch and wished to make a donation to our charity. No doubt this was because of the Lodge’s links to ANZAC. Each year on 11th November, members of the Harefield Masonic Lodge take part in the service held at the ANZAC memorial at St. Mary’s Church in Harefield. Furthermore, with a historical link to ANZAC, one of the Lodge’s former members, an Australian, was cared for at Harefield Hospital during WW1.

THOMAS ALFRED MAISHMAN

Born in England to Londoner Lilian Annie Maisham, Thomas Alfred Maishman emigrated to Australia in 1906 at the age of 14. Previously serving as a fireman of the South Brisbane Fire Brigade, he enlisted at the age of 22 as a Trooper to the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). He returned to England during the First World War to serve for the Australian forces as a Private, joining the 5th Light Horse Regiment on the 21st of December 1914. During the first World War he was severely injured, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. As a patient, he was transferred to Harefield House Hospital, also known as the No.1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, which served as the only AIF facility in England from December 1914 to service only Australians.

The hospital was originally proposed to accommodate 60 soldiers in the winter and 150 soldiers in the summer, but at its height it held over one thousand beds and a large nursing and ancillary support staff. The hospital was crucial to the care and support of AIF soldiers, opening an Artificial Limb workshop in December 1915 which contributed to Maisham’s rehabilitation and ongoing support for the recovery and wellbeing of Australian servicemen. Alongside these practical services, the hospital produced a magazine entitled “The Harefield Park Boomerang” which provided a valuable source of connection between the staff and recovering soldiers. Maishman, spurred by the support and community at the hospital, became a valued member of the administrative staff continuing to serve until after the first World War until the hospital closed its doors in January 1919.

Following his administrative service to Harefield House, as a proud member of the Harefield Masons, Maishman was initiated into Beaconsfield Lodge in 1934, gaining Provincial Honours in 1949 and becoming a master in 1954. He was a preceptor of the Broadhurst Club of instruction, continuing to be very popular with the doctors and nurses at the hospital. The hospital was proud to remember him and his commitment to the health and wellbeing of his fellow soldiers and the bravery he represented as one of many young Australian servicemen who served their countries during World War One.

Thank you once again on behalf of

The Trustees of ANZAC REMEMBRANCE C.I.O.

ANZAC CROSS LAYING PROJECT

The purpose of our charity, as outlined on our website includes the words…

“TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE WARTIME SERVICE

PROVIDED BY AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND SERVICE PERSONNEL

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN WORLD WAR TWO…”

Keeping in line with those principals, We are delighted to say that with the help of a number of individuals, our cross-laying project has picked up significant speed. Our plan is to cover 340 burial sites around the United Kingdom. This would exclude the six major sites located at Chester (Blacon), Oxford (Botley) Brookwood Military Cemetery, Harrogate (Stonefall), Cambridge (City Cemetery) and Runnymede Memorial.

The total number of graves at which we plan to lay crosses include 711 aviators from the Royal Australian Air Force and 465 aviators from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Thanks to the help of those mentioned below, we are now able to say that we have laid 148 Crosses across 16 COUNTIES! And... there are still 151 crosses in the hands of other volunteers who will be laying them over the coming months.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT,

PLEASE CONTACT US THROUGH OUT WEBSITE EMAIL ADDRESS

ANZAC AVIATORS ALREADY HONOURED

Our volunteers have been out and about most recently in a number of counties across the United Kingdom. Please open the PDF to read about some of the aviators they have honoured and a little bit about their history.

SQUADRON LEADER MARK SMITH & FRIENDS IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

JOHN AND FRANCES BARROW IN HAMPSHIRE,

KENT, SURREY AND WEST SUSSEX

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION RIDERS IN DERBYSHIRE

DUSTY WELLS & KEITH DANIELS IN SHROPSHIRE,

STAFFORDSHIRE AND CHESHIRE

MATHILDA GATSBY & ARIELLE FRIEDLANDER IN FIFE, SCOTLAND

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OUR HELPERS

YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM

We continue to promote the YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM at Elvington on the outskirts of York. Below are some planned events for the near future. Please refer to their website for full details regarding events and purchase of tickets. You will have a wonderful day... it's amazing. The Museum is open every single day from 10am to 5pm.

https://yorkshireairmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/events

OPERATION HALIFAX - Theme for the year continues with...

9th August - WOMEN'S SERVICES MEMORIAL DAY

30th August - MILITARY VEHICLE SHOW

6th September - ALLIED FORCES MEMORIAL DAY

13th September - MILITARY MODEL DAY

27th September - EMERGENCY SERVICES DAY