The year was 1915, our ANZAC troops had been on the Gallipoli peninsula for less than a fortnight, and there were already local servicemen losing their lives in battle.
Private John Edward Starick from Antwerp, north of Dimboola, was one of these soldiers. He was in the 6th Australian Infantry Battalion which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April 1915 as part of the second wave.
Ten days later the 6th would be transferred from "Anzac' to the south end of the peninsula, Cape Helles, to help in the attack on the village of Krithia.
The aim was to capture the peak Achi Baba, which dominates the southern part of the peninsula.
Unfortunately for those involved in this three-day battle, the Second Battle of Krithia, little ground was gained but around a third of the brigade did not survive.
During the battle Starick would lose his life. He was only 21.
Starick is now buried in the Redoubt Cemetery, a Commonwealth cemetery which is the final resting place for 2027 servicemen of World War I.
The cemetery was begun by the 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade in May 1915 and continued in use until the evacuation in December of that year.
Below: the eerily peaceful Redoubt Cemetery, as seen by Andrew King on his visit to the cemetery in April 2015.
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