ANZAC Day: The Service and Sacrifice That Shaped Our Nation

As the Middle East continues to suffer the ravages of war, this year’s Anzac Day serves as a timely reminder of what is sacrificed by everyday people on the field of battle.

Anzac Day on April 25 is commemorated throughout Australia and New Zealand to remember those who paid the ultimate price in fighting for their country and freedom, and to acknowledge all those who have served.

“Anzac Day is one of the most important and solemn days on our national calendar,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

“Each year, thousands of families rise before dawn, gather at local memorials, march alongside veterans and reflect on the service and sacrifice that shaped our nation.”

“I took seven bullets in my body”

One such Australian veteran is Alex Kerr, who enlisted in Perth in 1940 and served as a pilot during World War II.

The DVA has collated stories from many veterans, to help people understand what so many Aussies and Kiwis endured during conflicts throughout the world.

Mr Kerr’s story is one of hundreds featured on the DVA’s Anzac Day Portal under Oral Histories.

During an air raid on Hamburg, Germany during the war, Mr Kerr was shot down.

“The machine gun burst which hit our aircraft, also hit me,” he said.

“I took seven bullets in my body. I was lying on the floor of the aircraft unconscious and so was the navigator, Bill Legg.”

So the rear gunner, Dave Fraser, “clipped my parachute on and put my hand on the rip cord, and he kicked me out and he said ‘For God’s sake pull it,’” Mr Kerr said.

“So fortunately I came to consciousness enough to get that message and I pulled the rip cord, and then I lost consciousness again and I floated down until all of a sudden, with a bang, I hit the ground.”

He was picked up by Germans on the ground and taken to a hospital for prisoners of war, where he spent six months recovering from his injuries.

And that was only the beginning of Mr Kerr’s remarkable story, which involved an escape from German custody. For more, visit here.

Dawn Service

As always, dawn services will take place throughout the nation.

The idea of the service comes from the army’s “stand-to” routine during World War I.

“Since early times, the half-light of dawn was one of the most favoured times to attack an adversary,” a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) statement reads.

So in the trenches of Gallipoli, and on the front lines of other battlefields, soldiers were woken on active duty around an hour before dawn.

“In the dark, the troops would fix their bayonets to guard the position against enemy attack, which was common at dawn,” the statement said.

In Australia and New Zealand, the timing of the dawn service links to the first landing on Gallipoli at dawn on 25 April 1915.

National Dawn Service

In Canberra, the Dawn Service takes place at the Australian War Memorial, beginning at 4.30 am with a reading of letters and diaries from soldiers who experienced war first-hand.

Then from 5.30 am, at the War Memorial’s Parade Ground, there will be a commemorative address by Flying Officer Kbora Ali, who in 2016 became the first female of Afghan descent to join the Australian Army (in 2022 she transferred to Air Force).

The service will be broadcast live on ABC TV.

Other services

Dawn services will be held across the country, including:

Sydney – 4.20am at the Cenotaph, Martin Place
Brisbane – 4.28am (sharp) at the Shrine of Remembrance, Anzac Square on Adelaide Street
Melbourne – 5.30am at the Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue
Hobart – 6am at the Cenotaph, Queen’s Domain
Perth – 5.45am at the State War Memorial, Kings Park
Adelaide – 6am at the SA National War Memorial, North Terrace
Darwin – around 6am at the Cenotaph on the Esplanade

For more information about each service visit the Anzac Spirit website of the Returned & Services League (RSL). This can also be used to find local services in your area.

All capital city services are followed by a parade of veterans in the CBD of each city.

Public Holiday Arrangements

When Anzac Day falls on a weekday, it is marked with a public holiday for all Australians. If it falls on a weekend, as it does this year, there is not an automatic holiday substituted on another day.

This year, however, NSW, the ACT, and WA have announced there will be a public holiday on Monday, April 27.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said adding a public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend will not diminish the tradition of the day.

“If anything, it is a reminder of its importance and another reason for people to get up, attend a local service and ensure the spirit of remembrance continues to be passed on to the next generation,” he said.

Minister for Veterans David Harris added that the day is about “remembrance, reflection and respect”.

“Ensuring people have the time to commemorate properly on 25 April won’t change and we will continue to commemorate at the many Dawn Services and marches that take place throughout our communities to honour that service,” he said.

Across the country, Australians will pause on April 25 to remember the stories, sacrifice and service of those who lived through war, and those who never came home, pausing in reflection, gratitude and quiet prayer.

Feature image: Canva Pro