Gallipoli centenary: Princess Anne among thousands who mark Anzac Day in dawn service in central London

 
Dawn service: The Australian and New Zealand troops were remembered at Wellington Arch in central London this morning (Picture PA)
Tom Marshall25 April 2015

Thousands of people marked the 100-year anniversary of the First World War's Gallipoli campaign in central London this morning.

A poignant dawn service at Wellington Arch, in Hyde Park Corner, was held in memory of the Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) troops who died in the disastrous campaign, which began a century ago today.

The congregation of thousands – including the Princess Royal – began gathering at the majestic arch well before sunrise.

During the service Anne laid the first wreath and was followed by a number of dignitaries before the Last Post was sounded and two minutes’ silence observed by all.

Sir Lockwood Smith, New Zealand's high commissioner, told the gathering: "We will always remember, be always inspired [by the Anzacs].

Poignant: Princess Anne lays a wreath during the dawn service (Picture: AP)

"One hundred years ago this very morning, the young soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps began landing on a narrow beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

"They were part of the Allied invasion of Turkey – the beach would become known as Anzac Cove, their sacrifice would become legend."

The land campaign launched by Allied forces on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula was designed to be a decisive blow aimed at knocking the Turks out of the war.

But eight horror-filled months later, and at a cost to both sides of an estimated 145,000 lives, the Allies pulled out, having failed in their objective.

A Haka was performed after the service (Picture: PA)

The service was staged midway between the Australian and New Zealand war memorials on the large traffic island at Hyde Park Corner.

Sir Lockwood added: "No family was left untouched. My own grandmother's first fiancee, the first real love of her life, lies buried at Lone Pine - a Kiwi alongside his Australian mates.

"On those rugged heights above Anzac Cove, the young men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps forged in blood the Anzac Legend, and in the process wrote the opening pages of a new national consciousness for both Australia and New Zealand.

"From the utmost ends of the earth they came, pioneers in a new world. 'Can't do' was not part of their language and their heroic deeds showed that courage, commitment and comradeship were. They were the flower of the youth of our new nations."

Solemn: Princess Anne with her husband Timothy Laurence during the memorial (Picture: AP)

The event is one of a series marking the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli and comes on Anzac Day, which not only commemorates the Antipodean troops who fought and died in the First World War campaign, but remembers all those killed in subsequent conflicts.

The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry are in Turkey attending a number of commemoration events on the Gallipoli peninsula with world leaders and relatives of those who served in the conflict.

The Duke of Edinburgh, patron of the Gallipoli Association, will join the congregation at St Paul's Cathedral for a service of remembrance this morning.

Later the Queen, joined by Philip and the Duke of Cambridge, will lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and afterwards she and Philip will join the congregation at Westminster Abbey for a service of commemoration.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The centenary of Gallipoli is a moment for Britain to come together and remember those who lost their lives in one of the most traumatic chapters in the story of the First World War.

"The Gallipoli campaign saw tens of thousands of young men serve and sacrifice for our country. They fought with incredible heroism in unthinkable conditions thousands of miles from home, and many of them never returned. We will forever be in their debt."

Mr Miliband said that the centenary commemorations were also "an important affirmation of Britain's strong bond of friendship with Australia, New Zealand and countless other Commonwealth countries", adding: "Soldiers came from across the globe to stand with Britain in our nation's hour of need during the First World War, and they must never be forgotten."

Additional reporting PA.

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