Dubai: With medals hanging heavy on his suit jacket, John Davidson, 85, stood in silence among hundreds of Australian and New Zealand expatriates as the day dawned during the Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) day service on Sunday.
Davidson, Rear Admiral in the Australian Navy (retired), attended the 5am service during a visit to his daughter Suzie in Dubai.
The annual observance ceremony is held to remember the fallen soldiers of the assault on Gallipoli, on April 25, 1915, during First World War.
"I remember boys from school who I was friends with that were killed in France and a couple were killed in the Navy in the second war," the veteran told Gulf News at the ceremony. "I was very lucky: I was 18 in 1943, so at that time the mostly dangerous part of the war for the Navy was coming to an end. The army was different of course." Anzac day was important for him "to remember to sacrifices of other people", he said.
Wreaths laid
The ex-Navy Rear Admiral retired in 1982 at the age of 57, and currently lives in Sydney, Australia, with his second daughter. His medals include the Australian Service Medal and the Order of Australia (the country's highest honour).
Wreaths were laid under half-mast flags as the sun rose by Consul General of Australia Kym Hewett, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey Umit Yalcin, and representatives of the New Zealand Consulate General, the Australia New Zealand Association (ANZA) and the Australian Business Council in Dubai (ABCD). "The assault at Gallipoli was the first time when our men served internationally under their own banner," said Hewett in his address..
"Their courage and sacrifice is branded on the mind. To quote a British general at the time, [Sir] Ian Hamilton: ‘Before the war, who would have ever heard of Anzac. Hereafter, who could ever forget'." A total of 44 per cent of Australian men enlisted in the war (aged 18-44), of which 60 per cent were casualties, he continued.
Yalcin read from the inscription on the Anzac memorial at Gallipoli, written by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives, you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace." A rendition of the Last Post was sounded by Peter Hatherley-Greene, followed by a minute's silence and the Reveille. Families gathered at the ceremony, held at the Westin/Mina Seyahi amphitheatre. The attendees were treated to an outdoor breakfast organised by the ANZA society and the New Zealand Government.
What it means: Who were the Anzacs?
Anzac stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders.
The campaign lasted for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.
The Australian and New Zealand troops in First World War became known as Anzacs, and the term "an Anzac" generally means one who served in Gallipoli.
The day was set as a day of remembrance, and has since commemorated those who subsequently died in the Second World War, Korea and Vietnam.
— Source: Australian War Memorial online.
Remembrance: In Flanders fields
The poem In Flanders Fields, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, was written during First World War. The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion on the battlefield in Belgium, and the poppy has since been used as a symbol in Remembrance Day services.
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
What does ANZAC day mean to you? What is your most memorable ANZAC day celebration?
