Hockey’s connection to Anzac Day

As Australians and New Zealanders prepare to commemorate Anzac Day, it is a fitting time to acknowledge some of those who served who had an association to hockey.

On April 25 each year, Anzac Day commemorates the sacrifices Australian servicemen and women have made and pays respect to those who have served and continue to serve.

In 2019 New Zealand hosted Australia in a FIH Pro League double header on Anzac Day. The countries were scheduled to continue the tradition in 2020 and this year but the matches have been unable to go ahead because of COVID.

Of the wars and conflicts Australians has been involved in, there are multiple examples of hockey being evident, whether it be people serving who were prominent hockey players, or regiments using hockey as a release and recreation away from the battlefield.

Thanks to historian John Sanders, here are some examples.

The above image, which was taken in Cairo, Egypt in 1941, is from a hockey match between Australian Imperial Force HQ and the Women’s Australian Army Service Corps.

Lieutenant William Noall (pictured above) served in the Australian Armey Service Corps and represented Victoria in hockey. The Noall Shield that was presented to the champion hockey state was named in his honour from 1924-1952.

Peter Kennedy served in the Australian Imperial Forces with his three brothers before going on to represent Australia in hockey in 1948.

Colin Wallace Campbell (pitcured above) initially joined the 25^th Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment before being promoted to Sergeant. He was discharged on 18 December 1945. He played for Western Australia and Old Modernians Hockey Club for many years.

Sergeant Audrey Jones joined the army in 1942 and served in the Australian Women’s Army Service. After her discharge, Audrey became the 117^th women’s hockey player capped for Australia.

Roy Menzies served in the 2^nd Royal Australian Army Service Corps. He was a Prisoner of War after the fall of Singapore and spent time in Changi Prison. He played 1^st grade hockey for Old Modernians before World War II.

Victorian Robert Harold Nimmo landed on Gallipoli as a troop commander on 20 May 1915. He returned to Egypt in May 1916 and served throughout the Palestine campaign, becoming a major in 1917. He played hockey for Australia in 1927 and then served in the Second World War.

There are undoubtedly others not mentioned here, but to all of the servicemen and women who served and continue to serve to keep Australia safe, thank you.

Lest we forget.