Lest we Forget

Here is the article I wrote Anzac day 2018.

The  RIC Group is an Australian run and owned family business. Being a family business means there are great challenges and opportunities at the same time. There is no doubt we have been able to weave our own family values right through the company's culture and this is one of the reasons I believe our employees have a strong loyalty effect as they support our aspirations.

What I also take great pride in is on a day such as Anzac Day which is Australia's most important day, my great grandfather Clifford Arthur Alfred Ellis was a Lieutenant for the Australian Army for the 24th Battalion. He was part of the Battle of Gallipoli. From Gallipoli he then marched into the Western Front and was part of Battle of Le Somme. It is hard to imagine exactly all he experienced but some of it was being gassed multiple times, shot, losing a number of friends and mates on the battlefield, and being away from home for a substantial period.

Wikipedia states that Anzac spirit has perceived qualities which include endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, larrikinism and mateship. For me these are the qualities for the Anzac but also qualities you need in run a family business.

Here is a story from my great grandfather from his diary:

The bully picked on him once... He said OK I'll fight but let's have a drink first... CAA (Clifford Arthur Alfred) made sure the big bloke had plenty so when the fight was on the bully could not fight at all... That is smart, force not the answer but brains. The fight created a bond with the bully as all your mates were like family.

In a way with a family business your team becomes your family. Everyone is aligning themselves to help the company goal.

Below is a photo of my great grandfather Clifford with his battalion. He is the lieutenant in the middle sitting down at the front.
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Lest we forget.