ANZAC Day

Annually, on the 25^th of April, Australians come together to commemorate ANZAC day. ANZAC stands for the Australian, New Zealand Army Corps. We commemorate the landing of the Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli on the 25^th April 1915. ANZAC day became official in 1916. In 1917, the word ANZAC meant someone who fought in the war at Gallipoli. It then changed to anyone who fought or served in World War One. During the Second World War, ANZAC Day became a day dedicated for the remembrance of all the Australian lives lost in the wartime. The qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice which were demonstrated at the Gallipoli landing are now recognised in the spirit of ANZAC.

The "Last Post" was a call played by a trumpet or bugle that sounded at 10pm each night to inform the soldiers that they should be inside their quarters for the night. This song is also frequently played as an ANZAC tradition, to  indicate that the soldier has completed his life's work and has entered into his rest.

Ode of Remembrance

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal,
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation,
And a glory that shines upon her tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known,
As the stars are known to the night.

As the stars will be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

The author of this poem, Englishman Laurence Binyon, traumatized by the loss of lives during the Great World War, was inspired to write this moving poem. This has become a tribute to those who lost their lives during the battle. The bolded verse is now read aloud at dawn services and many other ANZAC ceremonies and is followed by a "Lest we forget” in memory of the soldiers. Usually a one minute silence is followed after the playing of the Last Post. This is a significant moment for Australians to reflect and remember the sacrifices made to make Australia what it is today.