ANZAC Day Service

Monday, 27th April 2009

Australian and New Zealand expatriates and visitors packed the Abbey for the annual ANZAC Day service which was also attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, representing Her Majesty The Queen.

In his bidding the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:

The landing of Allied Forces at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 led to one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. New Zealand and Australian forces joined together for the first time and a new word entered the language: ANZAC. Remembering that so many died, we honour the bravery and determination of the men at Gallipoli. The memory of what became known as the Great War is with us as a warning and an encouragement. We are warned that war involves suffering and death; we are encouraged by the spirit of national pride shown by the soldiers we remember this ANZAC Day.