2007 Gallipoli Commemorations

2007 Gallipoli Commemorations

Anzac Day is an interesting day in NZ. Despite so many other commemorations for various tragedies and wars, Anzac stills gets alot of national attention, a form of
national solidarity building if you like. Not to many verterans left if you do the maths but still War histories form an intergral part of our school curriculum and there is alot of hertitage and preservation work involved in keeping this a significant occassion for rememberance. My son wrote a striking poem about it last year and wore a poppy to school also at the library we have so many resources..

This Auckland Museum website holds a great resource in the cenotaph database. Copy and Paste this link into your browser to view:
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/?t=321

Also of interest is the complete calendar for the educational community for events at the Auckland Museum Address: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/site_resources/2007_Education_Calendar.pdf


ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings and is a national day of commemoration in New Zealand and Australia when we remember all who have served the country in times of war.

The Gallipoli Peninsula is equally revered by the Turkish people who also suffered great loss defending their homeland against invasion. It is also a place of remembrance for other countries that participated in the 1915 campaign, including Britain, France, India, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Germany.

Commemoration services will be held over two days. The Turkish International Service (Mehmetcik Abide), French Memorial Service ( Morto Bay), and Commonwealth Memorial Service ( Cape Helles) will be held on Tuesday 24 April. The Anzac Dawn Service (Anzac Commemorative Cove at North Beach), the Australian Memorial Service (Lone Pine), the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial service and the New Zealand Memorial Service (Chunuk Bair) will be held on Wednesday 25 April.

New Zealanders travelling to the Gallipoli commemorations are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

More detailed information on commemoration events is available from the website of Veterans’ Affairs, New Zealand www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz.

The Poem, Age 9

"December 1915

My dearest Mother,
Freezing cold days and nights. Many people aroung me are dying of frostbite.
I just wish I could be home for Christmas. The food here is horrible. We eat rock hard biscuits, cheese bread and that repulsive bully beef. The Turks are firing over the trenches day and night, and the sound of the gunshots is almost unbearable. I must go now, it is my turn to go and fight. Your loving son, Mathew.

2007 Gallipoli Commemorations