A few months ago, on ANZAC Day, I pieced together a story in honour of Football and War, in particular Joe Slater – a Geelong champion killed in WWI.
Here’s the story to read if you haven’t already:
Football and War: A Tribute to the ANZACS
Almanac Footy History: A tribute to those Geelong players who were killed in wars
A few weeks ago, I travelled to Canberra and found myself at The Australian War Memorial searching through a sickening history of the Australian and New Zealand heroes who fought for our freedom.
My main aim was to find Joe Henry Slater of the 22nd Battalion, who was killed in Bullecourt, France in 1917. And I did just that.
I was filled with great sadness, yet extreme proudness. This local Geelong legend was a war hero on a much greater scale.
His name stuck out to me through hundreds, thousands.
I stopped alone and reflected on what I knew of a man I could never meet, almost thanking him for what he did on, but more importantly off the field, 100 years ago.
It was an absolute honour to see Joe Slater’s name at the memorial, as it was an honour to write about his legacy.
J. H Slater 22nd Battalion
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