Thousands Of Gallipoli War Dead Remembered On Anzac Day

The memory of Australian and New Zealand troops who fought and died in the First World War Gallipoli campaign has been honoured at a Cenotaph wreath-laying ceremony.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Cabinet colleague Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson joined senior representatives from Australia and New Zealand for the Anzac Day commemoration event in Whitehall. The Defence Secretary said:

"On Anzac Day we remember the sacrifice and courage of troops from Australia and New Zealand.

"Britain is proud to have served alongside our Anzac allies in conflicts from the fields of Flanders to our modern-day battle against Daesh."

"Our alliance is one of the most consistent and enduring military partnerships in history, one which will continue to protect our common interests and help make the world a safer, more secure place."

Earlier, Antipodeans and the Duke of York gathered at the Australian War Memorial for a moving dawn service to remember the sacrifices of the Anzac troops and others who have served in subsequent conflicts.

Australian finance minister Mathias Cormann told the open-air congregation at London's Hyde Park Corner:

"This day of commemoration has grown into recognition of all military service by Australian and New Zealand defence personnel and the sacrifices that they, their families and their communities have made in the pursuit of free, just and peaceful societies.

"War and conflict is a human endeavour. It takes a physical, emotional and mental toll on all those who are touched by it.

"There is no greater example of the extremes of conflict than the conditions endured by the Anzacs, in particular in Gallipoli and on the Western Front."

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the start of the First World War Gallipoli landings and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand.

Thousands of Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) troops died in the ill-fated 1915 campaign.

Waves of Allied forces launched an amphibious attack on the strategically important Turkish peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles straits, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.

But the plan backed by Winston Churchill, then first lord of the admiralty, was flawed and the campaign, which faced a heroic defence by the Turks, led to stalemate and withdrawal eight months later.

Its legacy is the celebration of the "Anzac spirit'' - courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mateship - shown by the Antipodean troops and today the Anzac Day service in London has become an important moment for thousands of New Zealanders and Australians. Mr Cormann added:

"Our world continues to be challenged by threats of war and violence. It is right and proper that we look to the sacrifice of our forebears for inspiration and example, to help guide us into the future."

The High Commissioner of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae, his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer and the Duke laid wreaths at the Australian War Memorial, and later the Antipodean diplomats left floral tributes at the Cenotaph, as did Sir Michael and Mr Johnson.