Marking the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign
Descendants and the public invited to join national commemorations in London.
The Dardanelles Campaign, Turkey, 1915. Image courtesy of the IWM.
Descendants of those who fought in the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign will be asked to take part in a London ceremony marking its 100th anniversary, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid announced today at a meeting with the New Zealand Prime Minister at the Imperial War Museums London.
Led by the UK government in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions, the ceremony will take place on Saturday 25 April 2015 at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, London.
Descendants of those who fought will form a central part of the commemoration and can apply for tickets to watch the commemoration from a reserved area, or take part in a march past the Cenotaph as part of the ceremony.
Before the event there will also be a Commonwealth and Ireland Commemoration Service on Friday 24 April 2015 at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Cape Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid said:
The Gallipoli Campaign fought on the Turkish peninsula saw considerable losses for Britain, her allies, and the Turks. It is only right that on the centenary of this event we commemorate not only those from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps but all those who fought and died and remember their sacrifice, both at the site of the conflict and in London. I hope as many descendants as possible – of whatever nationality - are able to attend to remember their loved ones, along with members of the public who also wish to join with us as we pay our respects.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said:
One hundred years ago, young soldiers from our countries showed extraordinary gallantry as they fought shoulder to shoulder on the beaches and cliffs of Gallipoli. On Anzac Day this year we will again stand shoulder to shoulder as we honour and pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice, a sacrifice that will inspire for ever.
Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott said:
This year we will commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign. It will be the most significant commemoration in a generation. In remembering their sacrifice, we will draw on our own strength and confidence for the future. I encourage Australians in the United Kingdom, especially descendants of those who fought during the First World War, to take this opportunity to commemorate and honour the sacrifice of our ANZACs.
Taking part
Descendants of those who served during the Campaign and wishing to attend should fill in the application for free tickets to watch the ceremony from a reserved area or take part in the march past (it is not possible to do both).
Use our recommended links to research if you are a descendant
Members of the public who wish to attend but not participate do not require tickets.