I attended the Dawn Service at Nobbys Beach, Newcastle to commemorate Anzac Day. It was 25th April, 1915 that Australian and New Zealand forces landed on what is known as Anzac Cove, Gallipoli on the Turkish coast. In the ensuing campaign thousands of lives were lost without ever achieving the desired breakthrough to Constantinople (Istanbul) to support the Russians on the eastern front.
The service commenced at 5am as veterans marched to the staged area where a choir, chaplain and distinguished guests led tributes to the fallen, lest they be forgotten. Despite the wind causing an air temperature of only 5c, thousands of people attended this tribute. It was heartening to see so many young people with parents and grandparents paying their respects.
The service ended with a poignant rendition of the last post by a lone trumpeter as the sun was rising over the beach. This peaceful and beautiful scene contrasting with the hell that must have been unleashed on that fateful day at Anzac Cove.
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