The Empire Strikes Back..........A$65

One man’s mission to share with the world the fine art of cufflinks.  

Each blog a different pair and each blog a different story.  Read on in this series….

April 25th is a special day for many reasons but particularly for those from New Zealand and Australia it celebrates one of the more important days in military history for both nations.  We are of course speaking of Anzac Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) which is a national day of remembrance for both countries for those that fell in the battle of Gallipoli.  It was Australia's first foray into war as a nation....albeit under the flag of the Empire, as both nations were still dominions under the British Empire.

Your scribe has attended many dawn service ceremonies for Anzac Day in many countries.  The most memorable was in El Alamain in Libya many years ago.  It was a multi nation ceremony attended by allied veterans as well as their foes from Turkey and Germany.  It was a most moving service and the War Memorial there is something to behold.  The following quote comes to mind in relation to Gallipoli by Ataturk the first President of the Republic of Turkey.

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…You are now living in the soil of a friendly country.  Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours…You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears;  your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace, after having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

Mustafa Kemel Ataturk, 1934

The Anzacs of course fought under the flag of the British Empire.....for King and Country as they say.  This brings us to our links of the day.

These were bought on

Portobello Road

on one of your scribes many visits to The Old Dart or home of the Empire.  It’s a favourite haunt when your scribe has some business down time and there is no end of great pubs to visit or fabulously charming shop keepers to engage with.  These are an unusual stud link with "Empire" 2/25" engraved on a silver link.  I'm not sure what the 2/25 signifies but let’s say that for fun's sake that it is to celebrate one of the great authors of our time Anthony Burgess of "Clockwork Orange" fame.

Our link man for the day to celebrate Empire, Anzac day and the birthday of Anthony Burgess.

Til Later

ONWARD