Anzac troops ‘helped bring new world order’

THE SACRIFICES of the Australian and New Zealand troops who fought in the Gallipoli campaign have been praised for helping to create a new world order in which “justice, peace and freedom” have flourished.

The Dean of Westminster paid tribute to the thousands of Antipodean troops who fought and died in the First World War offensive during a service marking Anzac Day.

Anzac Day – April 25 – marks the anniversary of the start of the First World War Gallipoli landings, and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand.

The Westminster Abbey service was the culmination of a day of events honouring Australia and New Zealand’s fallen, and those who have served in subsequent conflicts, which began with a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in central London and also featured a Cenotaph wreath-laying ceremony and parade.

The Duke of York attend the poignant early-morning event and later joined the congregation at the abbey, while Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Cabinet colleague Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson left floral tributes at the monument in Whitehall.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall told the Westminster Abbey congregation: “The First World War, indeed both World Wars and other conflicts, offered our nations terrible trials and particular tests.

“Together the people we remember today rose to the challenges and achieved a resolution of the challenges, but not only achieved a new peace but also led to the reconciliation of former enemies and a new world order in which justice, peace and freedom can flourish.”

Thousands of Anzac troops – Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – died in the ill-fated 1915 campaign.