Unity of ANZAC spirit as 2,000 gather for London’s dawn service   26 Apr 2014

Charlotte Everett

The unity of the ANZAC spirit was the dominant theme at this year’s ANZAC dawn service in London. Australians and New Zealanders came together in friendship at the 5am service at Hyde Park Corner, which was supported as always by a large number of British, including Chelsea Pensioners.  Approximately 2,000 people in total turned out to pay their respects not only our fallen family, but to Australians and New Zealanders involved in all conflicts and peacekeeping.

In previous years the service has been held at either of the ANZAC memorials, with New Zealand hosting one year, Australia the following year, and so on – with a wreath-laying at both. But in a move from tradition, this year’s service was held in front of the Wellington Arch itself, in an effort to adopt a service that incorporates both memorials simultaneously, and resonates with the unity of the ANZAC spirit.

Reverend Canon Dr John Cullen opened the service, with prayers and reflection. He remarked that the legacy of the ANZAC spirit also lies in our commitment to continuing the peace that was secured for us. Brigadier Antony Howard ONZM then followed with the reading of a letter written in November 1917 by Sister Mary Reidy of No.1 New Zealand Hospital in France, to the mother of a patient.

Australian school children led the hymn “Abide With Me”, before a joint ANZAC address from the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners. New Zealand High Commissioner Sir Lockwood Smith opened the address, paying special tribute and detail to conflicts on the Western Front, with particular reference to New Zealand’s “darkest day”, in 1917 at Passchendaele. Sir Lockwood remarked how both he and Australian High Commissioner Mike Rann have lived in each other’s countries, so have therefore witnessed “the ANZAC camaraderie” first hand. Sir Lockwood closed by saying, “the ANZACs will always draw us together. They will always inspire us.”

A reading from Brigadier Bill Sowry AM CSC and prayers were to follow, before a wreath-laying at the New Zealand memorial, with a special welcome by members of the London Maori Club, Ngati Ranana. This was followed by a wreath-laying at the Australian memorial, before the crowds came together once again in front of Wellington Arch for the Ode, led by Brigadier Hayward, and the Last Post, with the piper on top of the arch itself. Two minutes silence were to follow, with the Lord’s Prayer and the singing of the British, Australian and New Zealand national anthems to close. All in attendance were then invited to sign the Books of Remembrance.

The 2014 ANZAC dawn service was in a sense a “dress rehearsal” for the 100th ANZAC anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 2015, when much larger crowds are expected to descend on Hyde Park Corner. The service succeeded in illuminating ANZAC unity, with many in attendance commenting that they felt a much greater sense of togetherness and shared spirit with the proceedings moving to the front of the Wellington Arch.

This morning’s dawn service will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall at 11am, as well as a service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey at midday.

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