Fallen soldiers remembered at Anzac Day ceremony

Laying of wreaths, national anthems, Ode to the Fallen, the Last Post, one minute of silence.

It was much like a traditional Canadian Remembrance Day service, but for Australian and New Zealand expats in Edmonton Sunday, it was a chance to mark Anzac Day.

Anzac Day is New Zealand’s and Australia’s most important national day of commemoration.

It falls on April 25, marking the day members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (or Anzacs), landed and fought at Gallipoli in Turkey in the First World War.

There were heavy losses — 8,709 from Australia and 2,721 from New Zealand — and ultimately the campaign was a failure.

Much like Vimy Ridge for Canadians, it is recognized as a turning point in the national consciousness.

There’s a Canadian link, too. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment fought alongside the Anzacs, around 40 of whom died in the battle.

Each year, the sun breaks the Anzac Day dawn across Australia and New Zealand onto cenotaphs ringed with crowds, there to remember and reflect.

Annual commemorations in Alberta’s capital have been going on for nine years.

Edmonton Anzac Day committee chairman Bernhard Baker said it’s an important tradition, and a way to preserve links with another home on the other side of the globe.

They tried a dawn service with the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli in 2015, but with the inevitable April snowfall “we froze to death,” Baker said with a wry smile and a shrug, so it was back indoors Sunday at the Brigadier James Curry Jefferson Armoury at 11630 109 St.

A retired member of the New Zealand army, Baker also sees the commemoration as a way to bring expats together and perhaps increase Canadian knowledge of the Gallipoli landing.

Edmonton city Coun. Jon Dziadyk brought greetings on behalf of the city.

“When Canadians learn about the First World War, it is often the Western Front battles of Ypres, Somme, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele,” he said.

“But throughout the Great War, countless other battles were fought, and thousands of lives lost.”

LARRY WONG Patricia Austin and Edmonton Anzac Day Committee member Ian Havin lay a wreath during an Anzac Day Service in Edmonton on Sunday at Brigadier James Curry Jefferson Armoury.