Adrienne Goode has a strong personal connection to Anzac Day, with her family’s commitment to Defence spanning across four generations with the Australian Defence Force and the British Armed Forces. As Babcock Australasia’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Adrienne is proud to support the company’s work in Defence and acknowledge the service of others.
When I reflect on Anzac Day and its legacy, there are many names that have enduring significance for me and my family. Above all is George Henry Martin, who was one of the many Australians that made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for his country in World War I.
George, my great-great-grandfather on my mother’s side, served in the Royal Navy for six years, as well as the Merchant Navy. In 1911, he moved to Australia where he married and had a son. Four years later, in 1915, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman, before transferring to 22nd Howitzer Brigade as a Gunner and then 6th Field Artillery Brigade, 106th Battery as a Gunner in 1916.
On 7 August 1916, during the Battle of Pozières in northern France, George was killed in action at the age of 27. Recounts of that day describe a counter attack by the Germans, which caught many Australians sheltering in the dugouts. For George and his Australian comrades, the crisis had arrived.
George’s body was buried at the Gordon Dump Cemetery in Ovillers-la-Boisselle in France, and my family has been fortunate to visit his memorial and pay our deepest respects. George’s name is listed in the Sir John Monash Centre at the Australian National Memorial in France, as well as the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, alongside thousands of other Australian names.
On my father’s side, my family’s military service extends across four generations. My other great-great-grandfather and my great-grandfather both served in the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) for the British Army. My grandfather also served in the British Army as a Private before moving to Australia. Following in his father’s footsteps, my dad served in the Australian Army as a Sapper with the Royal Australian Engineers.
Anzac Day allows me and my family to pay tribute to our family’s military history, commemorate the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives during service, and pay respects to those who continue to serve today.
I am honoured to work alongside many veterans and Defence Reservists at Babcock, and am proud to support them in their roles as they contribute invaluable expertise to Defence through a corporate lens.