Tag: anzac day

Dawn Service of Remembrance as Edinburgh marks ANZAC Day at Comely Bank Cemetery

At dawn on April 25th, 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), together with British, French, and Russian forces landed on the Dardanelles Peninsula (now part of Turkey) at the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

This ended in a stalemate, with troops withdrawing in January 1916. More than 100,000 soldiers were killed.

At dawn on April 25th, 2023, Veterans and their families will gather at Comely Bank Cemetery, Edinburgh where 16 ANZAC Soldiers are laid to rest and take part in an international remembrance service to mark the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War.

Traditionally ANZAC Day services commence at dawn, coinciding with the moment ANZAC forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in April 1915.

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland will join members of the Australian and New Zealand community for the service and wreath-laying ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery at 5.00am. Led by Rev Dr Karen Campbell, it will feature Scots Guards Association piper Cameron Cochrane and bugler Iona McFarlane.

Later that morning, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Government representatives from Scotland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Turkey will take part in Legion Scotland’s annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle at 11am.

ANZAC Day marks the service and sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces, as well as those from Scotland and the rest of the world who served alongside them. It is the National Day of Remembrance in the two countries.

Both services are open to the public, with a limited number of tickets for the memorial available from 9:30-10:15am in front of the Castle on the Esplanade.

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “This is an opportunity to come together to remember the service and sacrifices of ANZAC servicemen and women through the years, as well as our own soldiers who fell during the Gallipoli campaign.

“It is a chance to reflect on the extraordinary courage of our Armed Forces community, both past and present, as well as the enduring friendship between our countries.”

Dawn service of remembrance as Edinburgh marks ANZAC Day

Veterans and their families will take part in an international remembrance service at dawn on Monday (25th April) to mark the 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War.

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland will join members of the Australian and New Zealand community for the service and wreath-laying ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery at 5.30am. Led by Rev Dr Karen Campbell, it will feature Scots Guards piper Lance Sergeant Mark Macrae and bugler Iona McFarlane.

Later that morning, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross and Government representatives from Scotland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Turkey will take part in Legion Scotland’s annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle at 11am.

ANZAC Day marks the service and sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces, as well as those from Scotland and the rest of the world who served alongside them. It is the national day of remembrance in the two countries.

Both services are open to the public, with a limited number of tickets for the memorial available from 9:30-10:15am in front of the Castle on the Esplanade.

At dawn on April 25th, 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), together with British, French, and Russian forces landed on the Dardanelles Peninsula (now part of Turkey) at the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

This ended in a stalemate, with troops withdrawing in January 1916. A total of more than 100,000 soldiers were killed.

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “This is an opportunity to come together to remember the service and sacrifices of ANZAC servicemen and women through the years, as well as our own soldiers who fell during the Gallipoli campaign.

“It is a chance to reflect on the extraordinary courage of our Armed Forces community, both past and present, as well as the enduring friendship between our countries.”

ANZACs and Gallipoli to be remembered at touching online service

With the country in lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, Armed Forces charity Legion Scotland will today broadcast a ‘virtual’ service online to commemorate ANZAC and Gallipoli Day, Saturday 25th April.

The event usually takes place at the Scottish National War Memorial, at Edinburgh Castle, and provides a touching show of comradeship and remembrance to all those who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Observed on the 25th of April each year, ANZAC Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). It now represents a day when Antipodeans remember the sacrifices made in all conflicts. It is also an important day for Turkey as they remember those they lost in the conflict.

Due to lockdown restrictions, Legion Scotland has taken the decision to record footage of the CEO and Head of Events at Legion Scotland and the National Padre laying wreaths and poppy crosses at Comely Bank Cemetery, in Edinburgh.

The virtual service will also feature contributions from Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross; Sir Alistair Irwin, the National Chairman of Legion Scotland; various Service chiefs; and the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish Consulates; as well as music from Legion Scotland singing sensation Amy Hawthorn.

The service will be conducted by Rev Dr Karen Campbell. Legion Scotland branches have also been asked to send in video footage of their Standard Bearers paying their respects so these can be incorporated in the footage.

ANZAC Day services normally commence at dawn, coinciding with the moment ANZAC forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in April 1915. Saturday’s broadcast will begin at 5:42am via the Legion Scotland’s Facebook and Twitter channels, and will be available for the public to view again at any time thereafter.

The Australian and New Zealand Consulates will be sending out their own content to complement what Legion Scotland has done.

Dr Claire Armstrong, the CEO at Legion Scotland, said: “I believe it is important for people to know that even in lockdown we are able to create an alternative way to pay our respects and to bring people together virtually on the 25th April to commemorate ANZAC Day. I would like to thank all who are participating in the virtual service and to those that have provided footage for us to use.”

Dr Armstrong added: “As the custodians of Remembrance in Scotland, our involvement in services of commemoration like these is so important and allows all members of our communities to join together to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, or who returned from battles in foreign lands with life-changing injuries.

“We will remember them and, even during this unprecedented pandemic, our enduring message of comradeship comes very much to the fore.”