The origins of the Anzac Day celebrations and the contributions of Monash

Why the spirit of Anzac has captured the imagination of all Australians

As we celebrate the centenary, this month, of the birth of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) legend, it is worthwhile contemplating why we have a public holiday on 25 April and the origins of some of the traditions that make that day so special. In doing so, I also explore the contributions made by Sir John Monash to establishing and perpetuating those traditions.1,2

It was a Sunday morning, just before dawn on 25 April 1915, when a group of volunteer Australian and New Zealand soldiers waded ashore on a small beach, just north of Gaba Tepe on the western shore of the Gallipoli Peninsula, in the south-west region of the Asian part of Turkey. The objective of this allied amphibious assault was to capture the high ground and east coast of the peninsula and the Dardanelles strait beyond, and advance on to Constantinople.

However, the Turks were prepared and waiting. The beach on which the Anzacs landed was surrounded by cliffs and after 7 months of fierce fighting and counterattacks, it was clear the objective would not be achieved. Paradoxically, the most successful military achievement of the Gallipoli Campaign was the evacuation of 45 000 Anzacs from the peninsula between 15 and 20 December 1915, without a single casualty.

The foundations of an Anzac Day celebration developed over the 12 months after 25 April 1915. When news of the Anzac landing reached New Zealand on 30 April 1915, a half-day holiday was declared. Indeed, New Zealand set the trend for a public holiday on 25 April each year and, because of the time zone difference, the first Anzac Day celebrations were held in New Zealand, on 25 April 1916.

Sir John Monash, who had led his 4th Brigade onto the Anzac beaches on 26 April 1915, the day after the first landings, and had remained with the brigade throughout the campaign until the final retreat in December, is credited with organising and celebrating the first Anzac Day in the field. On 25 April 1916 in Egypt, where his troops were recuperating from the Gallipoli Campaign, Monash turned out the whole brigade, at 06:45 hours. A short, very dignified service was conducted by the chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Wray, followed by the massed bands playing a march, and the massed buglers blowing The last post. For the rest of the day, everyone was given a holiday. The morning was spent playing cricket, and in the afternoon the whole division went down to the Suez Canal to swim and take part in a great aquatic carnival. In the evening, mess dinners were held everywhere and finished up with band concerts and the wishing of happy returns for this famous day — our day.

These traditions of an early morning church service — the dawn service — followed by a march with bands, sporting events and celebratory dinners, have captured the imagination of all Australians, and encapsulate why the day is so special.

After the war, Monash perpetuated the Anzac Day celebrations and for many years led the march in Melbourne. He was also the driving force for establishing the Shrine of Remembrance.

Following the first anniversary of Anzac Day, soldiers and civilians of Australia held various remembrance services, including the traditional march. By 1927, all Australian states had proclaimed Anzac Day a public holiday, so that, ironically, the federal government has never been required to gazette it as a national holiday.

The small beach where the troops landed was called Anzac Cove during the campaign, but it was not until Anzac Day 1985 that the name was officially recognised by the Turkish government. To mark the occasion, a monolith was erected at Ari Burnu Cemetery (Anzac Beach) bearing the famous words of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a commander of the Turkish forces during the Gallipoli Campaign who later became president of the new Turkish Republic, recognising the bravery of the Anzacs and how the Turks held them not only in high regard but as brothers.

Anzac Day was born out of our forefathers' coming of age at Gallipoli. Anzac Day does not glorify war; it is an occasion to remember and pay tribute to all those who have contributed so much, in so many ways, to their countries and their democracy. Anzac Day belongs to Aussies and Kiwis.

In 1923, at a Melbourne civic reception held in his honour, Monash said that Gallipoli was not a failure. The effect of the campaign was far-reaching. It shattered the flower of the Turkish army and kept Bulgaria out of the war for some months; but it did more than that — it established the Australian Imperial Force and created the Anzac traditions.

Lest we forget.