Prince Charles and Prince Harry Attend Gallipoli Anniversary

The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry have attended services in Gallipoli on the Turkish west coast marking the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings by Allied forces during World War One. April 25, 1915 was the day thousands of British, Irish, Australian, New Zealander, Indian and French troops arrived on the peninsula to begin what was a failed military campaign.

The pair were present for the dawn service at Anzac Cove alongside the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, Tony Abbot and John Key, and Irish President Michael Higgins, as well as Turkish representatives. The Prince of Wales delivered a reading of a letter written by Company Quartermaster Sergeant Benjamin Leane, who survived the Gallipoli campaign only to die in France in 1917. “Here today, we remember his sacrifice, and that of all those who served and suffered here in this far away place on the other side of the world to the Antipodes,” the Prince stated at the conclusion of his reading. He then laid a wreath of flowers as did all other leaders and representatives present.

Charles and Harry then attended a breakfast hosted by the Australian and New Zealander Ambassadors to Turkey at the Kum Hotel, meeting with Australian war widows, prior to attending the service at Lone Pine Cemetery held to honour the Australian soldiers who fell in the campaign. Prince Harry gave a reading comprised of two letters written by Australian soldiers, to illustrate the “most sacred bond between soldiers is the unspoken pact that if the situation demands, they will lay down their lives for each other.” The two Princes then spent time at the Nek Cemetery, the resting place of a number of Australian soldiers.

They were also present for the Turkish service of commemoration at the 57th Regiment Memorial and at the Chunuk Bair Memorial to honour New Zealander soldiers.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Anniversary, Australia, Ireland, Military, New Zealand, President Higgins of Ireland, Prime Minister Abbott of Australia, Prime Minister Key of New Zealand, Prince Harry of Wales, The Prince of Wales, Turkey, World War I.