Bill Scurry as a Captain, in France, 1917, seated on the left, with officers of the 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery. Standing behind on the left is Lieutenant Leonard Frederick Morris, a school-fellow of Scurry's, attending Ascot Vale State School. Courtesy of the AWM http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P01786.001
Today an article in The Age reminds us that at this time 100 years ago, the last of the Anzacs were being evacuated from the Gallipoli Peninsula. Lance-Corporal William Scurry from Ascot Vale invented a clever device to encourage the Turks to think that the Anzacs were still in their trenches, though it was only one element of a much more extensive plan, prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Brudenell-White, to get the men off Gallipoli without casualties.
Tomorrow, Sunday 20 December, a plaque will be unveiled at the Lilydale Lawn Cemetery to remember Bill Scurry.
The Families and Friends of the First AIF website has further information about the evacuation.
An account of the evacuation was written by an unidentified Australian officer, but most likely Major Alfred Jackson.
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