Networking for Survival: Honoring Valuable Contributions and Relationships

This week, numerous people from across Australia and New Zealand will participate in dawn services to honor the brave members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought against the Ottoman Empire at Gallipoli during World War I. ANZAC Day, observed on April 25, marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915.

It is also an  appropriate  time to acknowledge and reflect upon the invaluable service rendered by the network of men and women, spanning all ages, who have valiantly defended their country and supported our allies in countless wars, exhibiting courage, determination, and resilience. Their unwavering commitment, sacrifices, and bravery are indelible reminders of their profound contribution is something never to be overlooked or forgotten.

Stories are shared within networks

Like many, many families , I am sure this is the time where stories are shared. Stories, that have been passed down from generation to generation of family members who enlisted and joined Australian forces across the world in various wars in history. These stories often illustrating the sheer courage, resilience, and bravery shown by those who fought in wars.

One such story from our family history was passed down to me by my mother and on ANZAC Day in particular I am drawn to share the story and be grateful of the contribution of those who have fought for my freedom.

My mother’s brother, my uncle, went missing in action in Europe during the Second World War. She often spoke of the sadness and discomfort of not knowing if he was alive or dead and then the joy of his return. It's certainly a story made possible by a Network – the Underground- who helped save his life and eventually help him to return back to his family in Victoria, Australia.

My uncle's tale was documented in a basic book by the band of men who endured and chronicled their ordeals. Before my uncle's aircraft was downed during a bombing raid, they had completed 26 missions as a team.

Merely 19 years old, my uncle, joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. He underwent training in New South Wales for wireless operation and gunnery school in Western Australia before being deployed overseas. On February 11th, 1945, my grandfather received a letter stating his son was "missing while on an operational flight from this country."

Shared experience and knowledge

On his 27th mission, my uncle, was involved in a bombing attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. The pilot shouted for everyone to bail out, and my uncle followed suit. He grabbed his chest chute, clipped on the harness, and made for the rear escape hatch. He drifted through the dark clouds, using his training to keep his knees together as he landed safely. He collected himself, rolled up his parachute, dug a hole, and buried it before quickly leaving the area.

Navigating the fields in the darkness, unsure if he was in Holland or Germany, he heard a train and followed its direction. He had been trained to travel only under the cover of darkness. The fear he must have felt is unimaginable. He remembered thinking that he was the only person in the world who knew he was alive, even though he had no idea where he was. It was a scary and uncertain time.

Though I am uncertain of the exact timeline, from February to early April, his story detailed his fear of being turned over to the Gestapo by a farmer he met during his journey. He spoke of hunger and dampness and ultimately realizing he was in Holland. He had been instructed by his superiors to seek the Dutch underground if necessary.

Networks offering protection and support

In his attempt to communicate with a few men and a shopkeeper, he eventually showed them some English coins in his pocket. A 17-year-old girl, who spoke some English, directed him to a house down the road. Upon declaring he was an "Englander," he was allowed in and sheltered by men who helped him. There, he met members of the Underground who sheltered him and shuffled him between houses to protect him from German soldiers.

For a period of time, he was told of time he spent hidden in a farmhouse. Except for the Underground members and the family, he spoke to no one and was instructed to behave as if he were deaf and dumb. He recalled, one morning, in particular where a young German soldier walked in to the farmhouse . The family were sitting at a table about 4 feet long, with my uncle at one end, the soldier took a seat at the other. After a few minutes, my uncle got up and left the room. The soldier expected nothing, but my uncle was was shaking and covered in sweat.

Building trusted relationships takes time

The Underground continued to hide and support him for quite some time. He told his family on his return that he wondered why it took so long, but reflected that perhaps they needed to know if they could trust him and were checking his credentials. Finally, the Resistance arranged for his escape to England. It was a joyous day for his family when they received word that he was alive and would be returning to Australia.

This story is testament to AND highlights the importance of networking and support systems. Valuable relationships are built on trust and can take tim. It also illustrates how relationships can be crucial in times of need, and to remember that anything is possible and we never know when we may need that help!

Hello, I am Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters and podcast host of Conversations and connections to amplify and inspire. I am a connection strategist, conversation starter and network catalyst who thrives on building communities and creating the right connections to make a positive impact through connection, contribution and community.

You can listen to other stories from inspiring people on my podcast and I invite you to subscribe so you can benefit from inspiring people.

I draw on my diverse career portfolio, experience, skills and knowledge to encourage, support and empower business owners, professionals, teams and individuals to create true connection , have authentic conversations , identify opportunities to build real relationships, boost confidence and generate business and even build their own tribe, team or community.