The name ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and in 1915, these soldiers landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, hoping to capture the Dardanelles Strait and open a way to the Ottoman capital, Constantinople.
In Papua New Guinea, the ANZAC Day is no longer a public holiday, but special memorial services are still held every year on April 25th to commemorate the contribution of the ANZACs to our nation’s history.
The ANZAC Day Dawn Service held every year on April 25th at the Bomana War Cemetery is Papua New Guinea’s biggest dedication service to honor the ANZACs and the local militia and civilians serving Allied Forces during the World Wars.
The ANZAC Dawn service begins at about 4:30am to observe the day and remember those that have fallen and to reflect on the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, extending remembrance activities from the Netherlands and the Maldives to Papua New Guinea and the United States.
Papua New Guinea’s relationship with Australia and New Zealand extends to the colonial era, World War I and World War II. The most memorable being World War II, when numerous battles raged across PNG-from Kokoda-Track to Rabaul.
Many Papua New Guinean’s served as service men and women, as well as helpers assisting the allied forces, especially the legendary ANZACs (Australian & New Zealand defense forces).
During the service Port Moresby Sub-Branch of the Returned Services League (RSL) President Glenn Maitland LM stated that 110 years ago, this morning young men from two young countries sat on ships seaward of a jagged and rocky coastline, not knowing that their deeds on that day and ensuring 8 months would start a legacy that would live on four generation.