ANZAC Day

Commemorating the ANZACS

​

In the very early hours of the 25th of April 1915, approximately 4:30 am more than 16,000 troops from Australia and New Zealand, and other allies, began a landing at Gallipoli that would go down in Australian and New Zealand history.

The invasion was part of a campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula to help secure naval operations in the Dardanelles straits, and aide and capture Constantinople in a bid to aid the Russian forces who had been heavily engaged in combat with the Ottoman forces in the Caucasus.  

​

Landing in near darkness on the beach at Gallipoli Cove was chaotic and units became separated from one and other. The landing had become a failure as the coordinates for the landing site was not where it was supposed to be. Instead they landed over a kilometre from the objective. The ANZACS faced the bombardment by Turkish enforcements as they held the upper hand. The Turkish enforcements sat waiting in the rocky terrain above; looking down into the cove. As the sun set, the carnage to the ANZACS was obvious, over 2000 lay dead. When the battle for the strait had ended more than 26,000 would perish. On the 25th April, the landing was a failure but what lingered became so significant in the history of the Australia and New Zealand Armed forces. The tenacity and bravery of these honourable men would be revered throughout time.

​

According to official government sources, the very first commemoration to those fallen at Gallipoli came in 1916 when Australia stopped to remember them at dawn. London stopped to observe the day and time with a service held at Westminister Abbey. Over 2000 Australian troops marched, many of them were injured, but they proudly marched along the street where thousands of Londoners cheered. The commemorations followed through to Egypt where Australian troops commemorated the day with a service and a game of cricket, and thus the legend was born.

​

That spirit, that tenacity still lives on, and today we commemorate all those who have lost their lives and fought so hard to find peace in all conflicts and peacekeeping operations. As the Last Post echoes through as the sun light breaks above the horizon we shall always remember them. We shall always thank them and honour their sacrifices.

 

Lest we forget.

​

For further reading please see the links below

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-24/london-parade-for-anzac-day-100-years-ago/7353616

https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/last-post-ceremony/faq

https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/first-anzac-day

https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day