When I attended the Gallipoli Dawn Service
The Gallipoli Dawn Service is a solemn pilgrimage that gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers. When we asked the Over60 Community to share some of their memories from the service, we were overwhelmed by the response.
Jim Ritchie looks back on an emotional experience at Anzac Cove, “Attended the dawn service at Anzac Cove on Anzac Day 2013 while on tour in Turkey. Probably one of the more moving experiences of my life. As the hills over Gallipoli (Gelabolu) became light with the dawn sun the thousands of people were so quiet you could almost hear a pin drop. My imagination could practically see the ghosts of those long ago soldiers wading ashore.
It is a pilgrimage for Australians that is akin to Mecca for the Muslim religion. Australians should try to go at least once in their lives. Since going to Gallipoli I have now made myself a promise that, after never attending a dawn service at home, I will try to go to my local dawn service every year for the rest of my life as long as I am able.”
Kelly Badrick describes a visit 10 years ago, “It was the most surreal feeling ever waking up to the Last Post, as the sun rose on the banks of Gallipoli (Canakkale). I felt so welcome and everyone was so helpful and friendly. It should be on everyone's bucket list and I will never forget the experience.”
Rhonda Weston found the commemoration extremely rewarding, “We were at Gallipoli Anzac Day 2005. The long walk in, the dawn service, the walk up the hill to Lone Pine, the service held in the Australian Cemetery are memories that will never leave us. The day before a fellow traveller stepped off our bus, walked into the water and played ‘Amazing Grace’ on his bagpipes. I get goosebumps every time I think of it. My husband’s Grandfather fought at Gallipoli.”
Megan Holleran says, “I've been to the dawn service in Gallipoli, one of the most moving experiences of my life, even wore my dad’s medal. The walk to lone pine afterwards was bloody hard work, can't believe those brave boys did it in lousy weather and carrying a lot more weight.”
Jim Hare went a few years ago, “Spent the night on the beach before attending the dawn service and other services for the 75th anniversary in 1990. A very moving experience.”
Anne Henderson hasn’t been to the service, but found a great alternative, “I was in Ypres, Belgium in 2012. Dawn service in Polygon Wood at the Anzac War memorial, and later 11am service at the Menin Gate, followed by a battlefield tour, which included Hill 60. Brendan Nelson was Ambassador to Belgium at the time and met him at breakfast in a school hall, along with Ben Roberts Smith and David Hurley. A very emotional day and a great alternative to Gallipoli or Villers Breteneux.”
Nina Elloy has been and plans to go again, “Yes I have, it was on my bucket list so my daughter took me but promised I would not kick the bucket for many years! I think I'll go again is year (10 years later). To Kings Park dawn service, it was beautiful, so many people, but pin drop silence.”
Have you ever attended the Gallipoli Dawn Service?