This image, taken on the 24th of May, 1915, shows Australian and Turkish troops collecting the dead after a nine-hour truce was called at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.
After an attack from the Turks five days earlier that left more than 3000 dead, the stench became so strong both sides agreed to remove the bodies.
The fighting in Turkey came to be commemorated in Australia and New Zealand as Anzac Day on the 25th of April each year.
Today is Anzac Day, Australia and New Zealand’s major day to recognise the military. Australia’s national service takes place at the War Memorial here in Canberra, and we often go to visit the museum afterwards (my father is a veteran).
Of course, this year is a significant one, as it is a hundred years since the First World War ended.
This year is also significant in Australia, as in Canberra and a number of other cities women veterans will be marching together. Why? Because in recent years they have been suffering abuse from strangers who accuse them of wearing their father’s medals – apparently many people still refuse to believe women can serve!
Australian and New Zealand soldiers land in Turkey on what will go on to become Anzac Day.
Anzac Beach at 8am on 25 April 1915. Men from the Australian 4th Battalion (1st Brigade) and Jacob’s 26th Indian Mountain Battery are seen landing. The men in the foreground belong to the 1st Brigade staff. At the water’s edge is the body of Sapper R. Reynolds, one of the first men to be killed at Gallipoli.
Photographer: L-Cpl. Arthur Robert Henry Joyner (1st Division Signal Company, killed 5 December 1916 at Bazentin, Somme).
A platoon from the Australian 29th Battalion being addressed by their commanding officer on the 8th of August 1918.
