Old foes march together as friends

Australia’s Federation Guard paraded at the Canakkale Martyrs’ Memorial on the Gallipoli Pensinula on the eve of Anzac Day, as part of the Türkiye commemoration to mark the Gallipoli land battles.

CAPTION: Australia’s Federation Guard march during the Turkish commemoration at the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Türkiye. Photo by Corporal Madhur Chitnis.

The Federation Guard marched behind Turkish troops, joined by a contingent from the New Zealand Defence Force and Turkish veterans.

The Türkiye commemoration was one of three held on the eve of Anzac Day, the others being a commemoration by France held at the French Military Cemetery and a Commonwealth service held at the Cape Helles Memorial.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh and Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton attended all three services, while head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders gave a speech at the Martyrs’ Memorial.

General Sanders said the countries that now commemorated Gallipoli as allies owed much to those who gave their lives.

“I will be eternally grateful that we have learned, become stronger and more cooperative, and can now stand together as friends and allies,” he said.

Along with the Federation Guard, the RAAF Band performed at the French and Commonwealth services that followed the Turkish commemoration.

The Australian contingent spent a week in Türkiye preparing and training for the various commemorations, leading to the Anzac Day Dawn Service and the Lone Pine Service to mark 108 years since the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

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