Belated ANZAC Day post

I was away from the computer pretty much all day yesterday, so I failed to post an ANZAC Day item. I take the liberty of quoting from Roger Henry's account of his ANZAC Day observation:

Today, 25th April, is set aside in Australia and New Zealand to commemorate the disaster of the Gallipoli campaign in WW I. (ANZAC = Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). It is also an opportunity for veterans of all conflicts to march and reflect on their campaigns.

I was prevailed upon to attend a dawn service at a local cenotaph, which is quite a moving event , and was then whisked into the city to witness the big march-past.

[. . .] for the first time, the march-past was led by a large Kiwi contingent. Whether this was the result of trans-Tasman solidarity or just the sheer weight of Kiwi numbers prevailing I cannot say.

It was interesting to see the number of 'foreign' contingents present. Allies from wars One and Two and various other, lesser, punch ups. Greeks, South Vietnamese, ROKs, Indians, Nepalese, Poles, Free French, Serbian Chetniks!?!? Claiming connections from WW I and WW II, Russians, a small American contingent, Canadians and South Africans. Probably there were others but they have slipped my mind. A reminder that it is hard to be neutral in a major war.

Later I was watching a live broadcast from Gallipoli, on the site of the actual landing — well, one of them — and it was also a multi-lateral affair, French, British, Indian, Irish, Australian, New Zealanders, Nepalese, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. (The Raj had a big pool of man power to draw on in those days) and. of course, the Turks, without whom the event would not have been possible.

One thing I noticed, The military representatives from the Brit connected countries all flashed a UK style salute. The Turks however favoured the American salute. I can't recall what the French did.

The ceremonies then moved on to France and Belgium with a final cameo appearance of the Menin Gate.