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Cpt Savige Tribute
Stanley Savige…”There goes a man”
Assyrian commemorative service to honour the life of
Lt General Sir Stanley George Savige KBE CB DSO MC ED
On the 31st of August 2006 Assyrian community leaders from Sydney and Melbourne gathered at Boorondara cemetery in Kew Victoria to commemorate an Australian General for his dedication and sacrifice towards the safety of Assyrian refugees during the exodus from Urmia, Persia in August 1918.
Our thanks to; Assyrian Universal Alliance-Victorian Assyrian Community- Assyrian Australian Association-Australian Assyrian Arts & Literature Foundation
Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, at that time a captain serving in the specially assembled Allied unit nicknamed “Dunsterforce” was second in command of a supply column assigned to re-supply the Assyrians fighting in Persia. Unable to complete his task due to the fall of Urmia he nevertheless persisted in his Endeavour to assist the Assyrians by persuading his British commander that he should remain with them.
For six weeks he used all the means at his disposal to protect the refugees against the perpetual onslaught of the Turkish forces. He placed his command at the rear of the refugee procession and deliberately drew enemy fire reasoning that the Turkish commander would concentrate on killing him before harming the refugees. By offering his command as target, even though outnumbered one hundred to one, he managed to slow the Turkish advance long enough for most of the refugees to flee.
This act of courage and self sacrifice is far beyond what is expected of a regular junior officer in the field. Stanley Savige was no ordinary soldier; this righteous young man was born in 1890 in Morwell, Victoria, commissioned in the field, he served in Gallipoli and France where he won the Military Cross at the second battle of Bullecourt. In 1918 he won the DSO for his part in the Assyrian refugee crisis. After the war he established the Legacy Foundation to care for war widows and their children, he rose to the rank of Lt General and was knighted. He passed away on the 15th May 1954 at a young age of sixty three and is now resting at Boorondara cemetery in Kew Victoria.
Lt General Savige was thanked by all speakers at the ceremony; speakers included the Hon. Petro Georgio MP representing our Prime Minister the Hon. John Howard, Brigadier Keith Rossi RSL Historian, Lt Colonel Mark Gainsford Defence School of signals, Mr. John Savige and five Assyrian community representatives. The General was awarded the highest Assyrian medallion and declared a hero by all speakers. A plaque was also accepted by his grandson Mr. Stanley Waters on behalf of his Grandfather. After the ceremony, the Assyrian delegation proceeded to his home town [Morwell] where a bronze bust of the General was unveiled by the Mayor Hon. Lisa Price and Legacy president [Melbourne] Mr. Bill Rogers. The Assyrians were invited to attend and speak at this historic occasion to celebrate the life of this great Australian.
 The service began with the Defence School of Signals Catafalque Party standing guard, led by RSM Peter Zajac, a prayer of remembrance followed, conducted by Army Chaplain Major Peter Lyndenmyer [pictured].
"Lord of Heaven and Earth we remember those who have gone before us ancestors and Kinfolk and those who have stood by us and helped us; who have strengthened us by their example; who have created traditions of duty and service that now inspire what we say and do. We remember especially your servant Stanley Savige before whose resting place we stand. O Lord God Almighty, we pray that the memory of his devotion, courage and sacrifice will always be an example to us; both as Australians and Assyrians, and help us find ways of expressing out heart felt thanks by works of service to all humanity. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord Amen."
Gaby kiwarkis [Assyrian Levies Association] introduced the event with the following speech. Gaby pictured on right with Lt Col Gainsford and Chaplain Lyndenmyer.
"Our gathering today to honour this exceptional gentleman is historic and essential. The sacrifice made by our service personnel must never be forgotten. The freedom we enjoy in this country today came at a very high price, and that price was paid and is still being paid by our service personnel.
As Australian Assyrians we have a special obligation to ensure this sacrifice is never forgotten. Those of us from Assyrian ancestry are now becoming aware of the strong link between our very survival and this Australian serviceman. We Assyrians owe a great deal to this wonderful country, this great nation that breeds such men as Stanley George Savige.
Faced with an impossible situation, unforseen circumstances that his training and experience could never prepare him for; he made an extraordinary decision that confirmed his true character. It is said “that a man is not judged by his words but by his actions”, this was true of Lt General Sir Stanley George Savige.
In the killing fields of Persia during the summer of 1918, the Assyrians, deserted by their Russian Allies had managed to hold their own against the Turks for seven months, it has been recorded that the Assyrian Army had defeated a combined force of Turkish and Kurdish troops in 15 major engagements.
With no logistical support, their ammunition was soon exhausted and quickly found themselves in a dangerous situation. They were surrounded by hostile Moslem forces and trapped; the remnants of an entire ancient Christian civilisation had retreated to the city of Urmia in Persia. It was then that contact with British forces was made and promise of resupply secured. The British being a small force at that time could not reach the Assyrians in Urmia, they agreed to a plan of meeting halfway in the Persian town of Sain Kaleh. An Assyrian detachment was to defeat two Turkish divisions and meet a British supply column whose officers and other ranks comprised of mostly of ANZAC’s. This column was escorted by British cavalry.
The Assyrians defeated the Turkish divisions as planned but arrived at the rendezvous too late. The British cavalry commander after waiting three days decided to withdraw.
One of the officers commanding the supply column was a young Australian Captain, Stanley Savige. After discussing the situation with his troop, he made a proposal to the British commander, the ANZAC’s, to the last man, volunteered to ride to Urmia and supply the Assyrians. This proposal was rejected; but Captain Savige continued to pester the British commander until he finally agreed to a plan of camping fifty miles south of the rendezvous.
In the mean time, in Urmia the Assyrians were holing firm waiting the arrival of the supplies, when a section of the front line manned by non-Assyrians deserted their positions and allowed Turkish forces to break through. Attempts were made by the Assyrians to close the gap, but the enemy was well manned and overpowered the defenders. Panic stricken civilians, 70 thousand men, Women and children, began to flee in the direction of British lines, knowing that if they remained they would be annihilated. The defenders remained and fought gallantly allowing the civilian population time to flee, the survivors later joining the caravan of refugees. 10,000 civilians were not able to join the caravan and were massacred.
In the south, the Assyrians met with captain Savige and his troop, the Assyrians were supplied and together rode north to Urmia. Halfway into their journey however, they met the fleeing refugees. After questioning, Captain Savige learned from them that the city had fallen and the enemy was in pursuit.
Now… the extraordinary nature of this man comes to surface, we must keep in mind that his orders were to supply and train the Assyrian Army, there was no Army left to supply or train! He was also carrying large amounts of ammunition and money, 45,000 pounds of Persian silver. This he was ordered not to risk falling in enemy hands. Faced with this appalling situation, this compassionate, righteous, courageous man, decided that human life was above all else. He decided on his own initiative to defend the refugees.
He placed a small guard on the supplies, chose six men, and rode forward to the rear of the refugee procession, there he remained, fighting day after day, week after week keeping the enemy at bay as best he could until the remaining refugees reached safety. He held on to a defensive position until the last possible moment, when almost surrounded, before extracting his command only to repeat the process, by doing this he gave the refugees those that were able sufficient time to escape. He sent riders forward to inform the British of the situation, food and medicine was prepared for them prior to their arrival, and this act alone saved thousands. It’s difficult to describe in words the reality of what he accomplished or the horrors that he witnessed. For me the situation is described best by the Generals own words. For the refugees that were left behind he says To have drawn our revolvers and shot them would have been humane, knowing full well how cruelly they would be treated by the foe.
He was ready to sacrifice himself and his entire command to save the refugees. He used himself as a shield between them and the Turks, in his own words he says “the Turkish Commander would concentrate his efforts on wiping us out, before turning the energies of his men on the unfortunate people.
I thank God, for placing on this earth, this magnificent soldier, to have positioned him at the right place and at the right time. I shudder to think of what would have happened to those refugees if not for his efforts. Who would have supplied them, where would they have gone and how many would have survived?
At the beginning of the war, the Assyrians numbered more than 800,000.
By 1918 they were reduced by massacre to 80,000
The final count of survivors at the end of the war numbered 48,000
From 800,000 to 48,000 in four years
Today I am privileged to be standing before the General and his family, and am pleased to inform them, from those 48,000 survivors, their descendants today have increased close to the original number of 800,000. By the grace
Of God, it is because of this man’s efforts at a critical time in our people’s history, that we as their descendants are able to stand here today".
 Following the introduction, father Genard Lazar [Assyrian Church of the East] pictured here on right with Chaplain lyndenmyer, blessed the gathering with this prayer.
"In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Heavenly Father, our loving creator, ever so present in Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We confess, worship and praise the awesome strength of Your glorious Trinity, who reigns in heaven and on earth. Holy Father we thank You for our gathering today, in remembrance of our Australian brother Lt General Sir Stanley Savige, who has found rest in Your everlasting peace. We truly believe that this brave man was Your answer to the out-cry of our Assyrian people at a crucial time in their lives, when they were facing total destruction because they held on to the Holy and life-giving name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Almighty Father, we thank you for this blessed country of Australia which offered such a man who risked all for the sake of his fellow man, reflecting the true caring spirit of Australia and Australians. Hear O Lord, the prayers of Your unworthy servants; we beseech You Heavenly Father and ask from the depth of Your grace and mercies on behalf of our brother Sir Savige who has departed from amongst us, that You call and raise him at Your right hand and include his name in the book of life, count him amongst Your chosen and include him in the multitude of those who glorify You, along with all the righteous and justified who are well-pleasing before You and walk according to Your will. Bless O Father, the family of Sir Savige in Your loving-kindness and keep them from all harm in the over-flowing abundance of Your mercy. Protect their lives beneath the wings of the care of Your love. Bestow O Father, Your peace and tranquility across the four corners of the world, Grant peace to the Church and the nation. Scatter the divided people who desire to harm, that we may lead a calm and peaceful life in total control and prosperity. We thank You and love You our Father, asking all these in the precious and majestic and life-giving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Forever, Amen".
Hon Petro Georgio MP [pictured] representing the Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard, spoke of the importance of the event not only for the Assyrian community but also to Australia, he said how one cannot help but be impressed by the Generals record in both world wars. He delivered the Prime Ministers regards and commemorations and thanked all present.
 Brigadier Keith Rossi - RSL historian also addressed the gathering;
Thank you Gaby, ladies and gentleman, members of the Assyrian community, just a few words on Stan Savige, I see on his tombstone a cymbal of Legacy, which was an important part of Stan’s life. I call him Stan because I served under him, he was a Brigadier and I was a sergeant. He was a remarkable man, born in Gippsland, had to leave school at the age of twelve, very limited education, he taught himself and became a boy scout just when that movement started, he was a good scout and what he learned from that organisation is what guided him throughout his life. He was also a very good Methodist, went to church regularly and learned a lot there. When war broke out in 1914, Stan agonised about it for a long time and in the end decided he had to go and early in 1915 he enlisted and was put in the 24th battalion, he was made a corporal very quickly, by the time they arrived in Egypt he was promoted to sergeant, he went to Gallipoli and fought there as a sergeant and he was commissioned a Lieutenant in November 1915 at Gallipoli. A few months later after Gallipoli he went to France where he got the Military Cross and was mentioned in despatches at the second battle of Bulecourt. In 1918 after Russia withdrew from the war this caused the opening of the road from Turkey to India. It was left to the Armenians and the Assyrians to try to prevent the Germans from getting through Turkey to the Indian sub-continent, assistance was called for and the military in their wisdom called on the colonial armies of the western front, the Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and south Africans to provide very experienced officers and sergeants to go and perhaps assist the Assyrians the best way they could. Savige was chosen and off he went, he was a Captain with a team of other Australians and colonial’s excreta. In July 1918, very close to the end of the war in Europe when things got pretty tough in northern Mesopotamia, the Assyrian army and the Armenians were running short on supplies and it was Savige’s job to take those supplies to them, to Urmia. They were to meet the Assyrian Army about 100 miles short of Urmia, well they a bit late in arriving and Gaby has told you how Savige insisted on staying behind and in the end when the refugees came through from Urmia he protected them. This was all the ideals he learned as a boy scout, anyway he survived the war and stayed in the militia and at the outbreak of the second world war he was a Brigadier, he was immediately appointed to command the 17th brigade, that was Victorian brigade. He fought in the Middle East and in North Africa, and then in Greece and when he got back to Egypt he found that he was required to join the 7th Division in Syria. He then was brought back to Australia as a Major General commanded the 3rd division and then was made a Lt general and commanded all operations in New Guinea, between the wars he started Legacy to look after the widows and children of men killed in the war or died as a result of the war, and that was his life long love, Melbourne Legacy, under his influence we soon had Sydney Legacy, Legacy in New Zealand and Legacy in Brisbane. After World war two he continued in Legacy, right to his death which was at a very young age of sixty four, he died in 1954 at the age of sixty four. This fellow who started off as a young uneducated man from Gippsland who’s first job was a striker at the local black smith which made him pretty strong and to finish up as Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savige, what a wonderful achievement and what he did not only for the Assyrians but all his life he looked after not only soldiers, veterans of wars but their widows and children, as they say in Legacy, Stanley Savige there goes a man.
Mr John Savige on behalf of Savige family members replied to the Assyrian speakers and addressed the gathering;
Thank you Gaby and the Assyrian Levies Association for organising this wonderful event, I’m sure that Uncle Stan would have approved, on behalf of the Savige family I thank you.
We really need to read the book Stalky’s Forlorn hope to get a grasp of what happened in saving fifty thousand Assyrians in Takan Tepeh in Persia in July 1918. It was a tremendous act of bravery and humanitarianism. I’m sure Uncle Stan would be incensed at learning of the plight of the Assyrians in Iraq today and he would want me to wish all the Assyrians the very best for their future. What can I tell you about this great man? The bloke from the bush that made it. He left school at the age of twelve, a black smith’s striker and a coal miner, scout master, studied for the ministry and joined world war one. He was at Gallipoli, and was last off Gallipoli, commissioned as the rank of captain, selected for the elite Dunsterforce, a successful business man, one of the co-founders of Legacy, joins world war one and rises to the rank of brigadier, in France he was awarded the Military Cross, he joined world war two with the service number VX 13, rises to the rank of Major General, he was one of the most senior officers during that war. He was appointed co-ordinator of demobilisation after the war; he becomes a knight of the realm and attends the Queen’s coronation, not too bad a report about the man from the bush. Life with him in the big old house of shooting, hunting, fishing and swimming was a great life. In his house it was my job to clean out the savouries the ashtrays and collect the glasses, he would make me stand in front of everyone and ruffle my hair and call me his batman. If I was his batman, he was my mentor and my General. Now seventy years on, I look upon him as this country’s great humanitarian, the Assyrian rescue, Legacy and the demobilisation. Not an academic or a professional soldier, but to his troops he was a soldiers General. In hind sight, it was a brilliant decision by the government of the day to appoint him co-ordinator of demobilisation. Although a sick man, he took up the appointment in the final days of the war, if I can quote from Gavin keeting’s book “I am determined to take whatever time necessary for you to recover to give you the best chance at a start in civilian life that is a service I owe you. Plans are in hand to provide every facility for education and technical training to assist you in obtaining better jobs and prospects in civilian life”. Over the years I have met many soldiers and heard many stories, there one I like to tell you about today, I started my life as a trainee mechanical draftsman at a leading mechanical firm and the chief mechanical engineer was my superior, in my third year in the course after he got to know me a little better he told me his General Savige story. In 1939-40 he was a knock about lad driving trucks, drinking smoking, swearing, getting nowhere, he decided, with permission from his parents to join the Army, he thought the war was a lot of fun and if he went the distance he would have a better chance at better employment, well he went the distance, through the deserts, the jungles of New Guinea and Bogenville, in the course of his discharge he has to attend all the courses and lectures on demobilisation. He sits there and doesn’t pay much attention to them, they give him pamphlets that he doesn’t bother to read, he just tossed them in his bag, and went back to Melbourne drinking, smoking trying to get on with his life trying to forget his five years in the war, fortunately his father found the literature, read it and called him in to try some of the courses, he went on and done an engineering degree at the Melbourne university. For the rest of his life he was grateful for the General for giving him the opportunity. In conclusion, I repeat what was said as the soldiers where standing outside the Cathedral at the funeral as the Gun carriage goes by “there goes a man if there ever was one”.
Lt Colonel Mark Gainsford C.O. Defence School of Signals, representing the Australian Army replied to the speeches;
It is indeed my privilege to be here this morning, to honour and commemorate the life and achievements of Lt General Sir Stanley Savige. He is so admired and revered by the Assyrian community; the way he stood by your people and covered their evacuation is an indication of the calibre of the man. He embodied all the qualities of a brave and thoughtful soldier at a very difficult and critical time. Just hearing the stories how a young boy left home, led a life and a journey, and adventure through the Australian Army and beyond that and achieved such remarkable feats is something that can only inspire us all. To be revered as the soldiers General, there is no higher accolade that we can give him as a member of the Australian Army, that he soldered on to become an Army commander and General in world war two tells us what an exceptional man he was, he is an exemplar of the Australian Army, he displayed throughout his life outstanding character and courage, for those of us that served today we can only hope we can serve to some extent in the same manner in which he did. His work as the founder of Legacy has shown compassion for families of fallen comrades, his untimely death of the age of only sixty four due no doubt to his arduous and stressful life demonstrates a strong sense of duty and sacrifice. It is very gratifying seeing he is receiving the recognition he is long due by holding this commemoration service today. I’m sure his family is thrilled at the Advance Morwell society and Legacy who will later unveil a statue for him. Australian Victorians ought to be especially proud of this soldier, I hope by being here it will help heal the wounds and grief suffered by the Assyrian Nation in the events of 1918. The Australian Army is a proud organisation, we are proud at the traditions and accomplishments of Lt General Sir Stanley Savige and hold him in the highest regard, we honour and salute him here this morning.
Mr Hermiz Shahen, secretary of the Assyrian Universal Alliance Australia Chapter presented the Assyrian Martyrs Medallion to Mr Stanley S.G. Waters. Stan accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather General Savige.
The Assyrians, during their long past and recent history, although subjected to persecution and massacres, continue contributing to modern civilizations and live as loyal subjects with all their neighbors, remaining loyal to the ruling governments. Since the turn of the last century Assyrians in their homeland, threw their lot with the Allies, considering themselves an integral part of the Allied forces. They placed their hopes in the cause represented by the Allies, played their part in both World Wars and had their share in bringing defeat to the enemy. Thousands of Assyrians died for the cause of freedom and justice alongside millions of other Allied troops. We are proud to have made such a significant contribution to the victorious Allies. We are especially proud to have fought side by side with the Anzacs In the name of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, and in the name of all the Assyrians, I would like to honor Lt General Savige with The Assyrian Medal of Honor for His conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. This medal is awarded to the Assyrians, who survived the genocide of WW1, in remembrance of their sacrifice. We say thank you to Lt General Savige for it is so hard to imagine what it must have been like to leave one’s familiar surroundings and family, and be sent to a far off land, to fight to drive away enemies of freedom and democracy. To Savige’s family, we say congratulations. By his honorable deed Lt. Gen Savige’s name has been immortalized for defending his country and for saving the Assyrians and leading them to safety.
We are indebted to him and shall always remember him. May God bless his soul and grant his dear family comfort, and may God continue to watch over our great country."
Mr Paul Azzo, Liberal party and Assyrian Levies Association Vice President awarded the Associations plaque to Mr. Stanley Waters on behalf of his grandfather as a memento of the event.
Chaplain Major Peter Lyndenmyer recited the Prayer of Commemoration;
“Almighty God, we thank you for those who did not count their lives dear to themselves but laid them down for our sakes. We, this day commemorate the memory of Sir Stanley George Savige; Lieutenant General of the Australian Army, may the memory of his devotion and sacrifice always be an example to us, that we may live as faithful servants of the lord Christ Jesus who died for our eternal salvation. We look forward with thanksgiving to that time when we will join, with all who have died in the faith, in the joy of your eternal kingdom; where sorrow and pain are no more and where every tear will be wiped away, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN”.
Then the wreaths were laid; First by Lt Col Gainsford for the Australian Army, then Hon. Petro Georgio for the Prime Minister, then Reverend Lazar for the Assyrians, then Brigadier Rossi for the RSL.
RSM Peter Zajac recited the Ode;
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We shall remember them".
The bugler called the Last Post and Reveille.
Reverend Genard Lazar delivered the Assyrian bishops blessing;
“I’d like to convey the gratitude and blessing of His Grace, Mar Meelis Zaia, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East in Australia and NZ. Due to pressing matters, His Grace was regrettably unable to attend this memorable ceremony that honours Lt General Sir Savige. His Grace believes that the contact with Sir Savige was not by coincidence or chance, but an act of Providence. Through this courageous man, we Australian-Assyrians have found a precious link to Australia. His Grace Mar Meelis is very appreciative of Mr Gaby Kiwarkis’ efforts, for rasing awareness and honouring such military men who have served our people with exceptional dedication. God bless you all, Sir Savige and his family; and God bless Australia”.
The Chaplain gave his blessing;
Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
 Photo; Mr Bill Rogers president Melbourne Legacy at the Savige memorial.
After the commemoration ceremony we attended the unveiling of a memorial at the Generals home town of Morwell, the Assyrians were invited by the Mayor Clr Lisa Price to share in that historic occasion. Gaby kiwarkis also addressed the gathering at the Morwell RSL. |
