Stitch in time brings Anzac to mind

North Nowra woman Joy Gibson has made the two works commemorating the Anzac Gallipoli landing which were crafted by her grandmother, available for display.

Joy has proudly owned her grandmother’s works for 20 years and has had them on display in her home for the past 15.

“My grandmother Sara Clarke, who was known as Annie, produced the works and they were handed down to my mother, who gave them to my sister-in-law, who passed them onto me.”

One of the works depicts a soldier standing to attention holding his rifle in front of him, while the other simply says “Anzac Day April 25 1915 Lest We Forget”.

Joy, who is also a keen cross-stitcher, knitter, crocheter and patchworker, believes the work was done between 1915 and 1920.

“I don’t know how rare they are, if she simply created the patterns herself or had a pattern to follow, but the work is stunning,” she said.

“They are quite a size and the stitch is what they call filet.

“I love all types of needlework, I suppose I have followed in her footsteps and those of my other grandmother, who was also an excellent sewer.

“I remember my grandmother but she died in 1945 not long after World War II when I was about eight.

“I don’t know if she made them due to any family connection with Gallipoli and unfortunately my mother has also passed away so I can’t ask her.”

Another of Joy’s treasured possessions is a photograph of her grandmother sitting on her front steps crocheting.

“If you look closely at the photo and the work she is doing, which I have with a magnifying glass, I believe it is actually the soldier she is working on at the time,” she said.

“I’m so proud and honoured to be the custodian of the two works and they will continue to be handed down through my family.

“They are a bit of history and it would be great for other people to also see and enjoy them.”