ANZAC Dawn Service

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign (1915) that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Originally 25 April every year was to honour the members of ANZAC who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand, a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but making reference to both countries in its name.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed to achieve its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking the Ottoman Empire out of the war, the actions of the Australian and New Zealand troops during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity in both countries. This has shaped the way their citizens have viewed both their past and their understanding of the present.

After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance.

Today in Abu Dhabi, the scouts were invited by the Australian Ambassador to form a guard of honour starting at 4.30. Ambassadors from Australia, Turkey and New Zealand spoke during the dawn service, which was followed by breakfast.