Aus & NZ commemorate ANZAC Day. Heres the history behind it

ANZAC Day, 25th April, is a day of national remembrance for Australia and New Zealand, as it marks the landing of the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the shores of Gallipoli, Türkiye on 25th April 1915. Every year since 1916, Australians and New Zealanders gather in solidarity to honour the sacrifice, courage and camaraderie of the original ANZACs.

On 25th April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula from the Ottoman Turks. Their plan to knock Türkiye out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months. 

At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. Anzac Day is held in remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations. Commemorative services are held at war memorials at dawn- the time of the original landing in Gallipoli. 

The Australian Consulate-General in Chennai held a dawn service at the Madras War Cemetery, where 15 Australians and six New Zealanders are laid to rest. 

“ANZAC Day is a time to reflect on the contributions made by past and present service personnel who have displayed great courage and self-sacrifice in serving our country. We remember not only the Australians and New Zealanders but also the 16,000 Indian Army soldiers who served in Gallipoli,” said Ms Silai Zaki, the Australian Consul-General in Chennai.

 Ms Zaki added, “Each year on ANZAC Day we recall the toll of war in numbers that are beyond reckoning. And we re-dedicate ourselves to maintaining peace. A peace that enables Australia and other countries to have the freedom to decide our own futures, free of interference.”

Top officials from the Indian Armed Forces attended the commemorative event at the Madras War Memorial, where there are graves of 856 Commonwealth service people who died in the Second World War. Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, Indian Army, and Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra, Flag Officer Commanding, Tamil Nadu Puducherry Naval Area participated in the ceremony. Australian and New Zealand communities in Chennai were represented by cricketers Michael Hussey, and Stephen Fleming. 

During World War One, friends and families sent food to the fighting men. Due to the time delays in getting food items to the front lines, they had to send food that would remain edible for long periods of time and retain high nutritional value. The Anzac biscuit met this need.

Initially known as the Soldiers’ Biscuit, the current name, Anzac Biscuit, has as much to do with Australia’s desire to recognise the Anzac tradition and the Anzac biscuit as part of the staple diet at Gallipoli. 

The Anzac biscuit is one of the few commodities that are able to be legally marketed in Australia using the word ‘Anzac’, which is protected by Federal Legislation.