ANZAC Day Service

High Commissioner Ian McConville’s Welcome Speech
25 April 2006

This special day for New Zealanders and Australians commemorates the landing at ANZAC Cove, Turkey, of the allied forces on 25 April 1915. Of course, the grand design of a swift end to the war in the Middle East ended in a military disaster for the allies. By the time of the withdrawal of the allied forces on 19 December 1915, including the Australian and New Zealand contingents, over 7600 Australians and nearly 2500 New Zealanders had been killed.

Today, I would like to direct my words at the youngest generation here – I could do this instantaneously, by playing Imagine by John Lennon, or even, I am Australian, by the Seekers. Perhaps even get some live radio footage of the Collingwood /Essendon football game.

But instead I want to recite a story of a hero of ANZAC Cove, called John Simpson Kirpatrick. He was English born, 22 years old, and had tramped his way around Australia working on a variety of jobs. On 25 April 1915, he landed at ANZAC Cove, and was killed less than four weeks later.

Simpson would not have made a good peacetime soldier, and he was recklessly independent in war. His job was to recover and help the wounded by using a small donkey to carry men down from the front line, often exposing himself to fire.

The bravery of this “man with the donkey” soon became the most prominent symbol of Australian courage and tenacity on Gallipoli.

Secondly, it is worthwhile reflecting on why Anzac Day is different from Remembrance Day. Whilst ANZAC Day marks the landing on the Gallipoli Peninsular, Remembrance Day (or Armistice Day) marks the anniversary of the end of the World War 1, the 11th of November in 1918.

You can then see why ANZAC Day is more of a national day for Australians and New Zealanders than Remembrance Day which is observed by many nations.

And you will also know some of the special traditions of Anzac Day – the Biscuits, playing two up,

It also has some traditions that are common to both Remembrance and ANZAC Days : the Last Post, the laying of wreaths to commemorate all who have died in war and, of course, the march held in the major capitals.

Finally, I should like to read to you all my favourite verse, because it says a lot about the confusion of war, and how, after all the pain, suffering and death, there are shared values and ideals which transcend national, culture or creed.

The inscription on the memorial to all the allied soldiers at Anzac Cove (for there were heavy casualties of the British Army, amongst others) was written by the Turkish leader Kemal Attaturk, who had been commander of the Turkish forces defending the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.

Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives:
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country,
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side,
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
Who sent your sons to faraway countries,
Wipe away your tears.
Yours sons are now lying in our bosom
And are now at peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well.