Welcome to Kranji War Memorial Cemetery, Singapore,
We walk in silence. The 4,500 Kranji gravestones emerge from the shadows in silent observation of events.
Once there, it is a well-organised, dignified affair. Public to the left and right, official guests and dignitaries, straight up the middle.
The Anzac Day dawn service is the same the world over a military order, school children and scouts,national anthems, wreath layers from all walks of life, and usually a slightly dodgy bugler or bagpipe player. Despite the former, there is a haunting last post, followed by an uplifting Gunfire Breakfast.
Haunting photos of the war graves at Kranji War Memorial Cemetery, Singapore,
We love the familiarity. Even though we are new Australian citizens, we now attend the ANZAC dawn service!
Last year, in Hong Kong, and this year, in Singapore, I whispered to my husband,
‘Let’s make sure 2016 is somewhere good too!’
We know our service in Singapore will mirror services already held in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. The same words will be spoken for the 10,000 people who have made the journey over to Gallipoli, Turkey
in this the centenary year.
By 5.45 am, it is standing room only. No-one complains. A warm, muggy Singapore day breaks. Whilst the School choir launches into ‘Always Remember’, the birds chirp their loud dawn chorus from the trees. Swifts stretch their wings, swooping and diving as if excited to see us.
What is Anzac Day?
So what day are we celebrating, and why do we celebrate what the BBC describes as a military disaster?!
Anzac Day is one of those days our friends from far-off lands often know very little about. But for Aussies and Kiwis, it is an important National Day of Remembrance, a day in which the ANZAC spirit was forged.
is the anniversary of the landing of troops from Australia and New Zealand
on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, in World War I on April 25, 1915.
The bravery of all military personnel who participated in this campaign
and the lives of those who died in all military actions are remembered.
ANZAC day is celebrated Australia-wide, we even get a day’s holiday in Victoria,
This seems particularly poignant in 2015, the centenary of Anzac Day.
Away from all the action, as the chairs are being tidied away, a small gecko suns himself on the top of a tombstone. He carries his own war wound, and his tail is damaged.
I sit with him and wonder if the world is learning. In recent days, we have seen news headlines of an alleged terrorist plot to attack Anzac Day proceedings in my home city, Melbourne.
Our Premier, Daniel Andrews, urged Victorians to join the ANZAC Dawn Services to commemorate ANZAC Day and the sacrifices made so that we could live free lives.
Lest we forget
For more on Anzac Day commemorations around the globe, see
Visiting the River Kwai, Thailand and Wandering Hellfire Pass, Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
This is a potential question on the Australian citizenship test.
- A) The landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove
- B) The arrival of the first free settlers from Great Britain
- C) The landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, Turkey
