Today is ANZAC day here in New Zealand and Australia and it commemorates all New Zealanders and Australians killed in war and also honours returned servicemen and women.
The date marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.
Thousands of men lost their lives in the Gallipoli campaign. Among the dead were 2721 New Zealanders - almost one in four of those who served on Gallipoli, 8500 Australians, 44,000 men from France and the British Empire and 87,000 Turks.
ANZAC is the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or who still serve. In many countries, the poppy is worn around Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is most commonly seen around Anzac Day, 25 April.
In the early hours of this morning all around New Zealand there were dawn services and again there were services mid morning. There are always big turnouts with the younger generation now taking the places of the soldiers who fought and have now passed on, in the parade.
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| Wellington |
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| Timaru |
These services as also taking part around the world and at Gallipoli as they have done for many years.
LEST WE FORGET
Thanks for the explanation - i'd wondered, but not enough to look it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation - i'd wondered, but not enough to look it up!
ReplyDelete