Saturday 25 April 2015

Gallipoli centenary marked by Queen and UK leaders




The Queen has attended UK ceremonies marking the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in World War One.
She took part in a two-minute silence before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
The Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William and party leaders at the memorial parade.
She later joined a service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey, where she laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
A second day of services is also taking place in Australia, Turkey and New Zealand to mark the centenary.

Allied operation

The national flags of Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and the UK were carried through Westminster Abbey and placed close to the high altar as a sign of reconciliation between old enemies.
Dean of Westminster Dr John Hall, (C) speaks with Queen Elizabeth
Dean of Westminster Dr John Hall spoke about the "courage of the men of Gallipoli"
Flag bearers enter the Service of Commemoration at Westminster Abbey
Flag bearers represented the nations of the Gallipoli and Anzac campaigns
The eight-month campaign on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey was one of the bloodiest of the war and the first to involve troops from Australia and New Zealand.
The allied operation was an attempt to force the Ottoman empire out of the war.
The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, told the congregation: "We honour today the courage of the men at Gallipoli.
"The memory of the Great War provides for us warning and encouragement. We are warned that war must involve terrible suffering and death. We are encouraged by the spirit of national pride and determination shown by those we remember this Anzac Day."
At dawn the Prince of Wales, together with Prince Harry, attended a ceremony at the Anzac commemorative site in Turkey.
Military personnel from various countries prepare to march past the Cenotaph
Military personnel from various countries took part in the memorial parade
Large crowds watched as servicemen and women joined military veterans at the commemoration
Large crowds watched as servicemen and women joined military veterans at the commemoration

Relatives of veterans

At the Cenotaph, the Queen joined crowds paying tribute to the 131,000 troops who died during the Gallipoli campaign - including some 25,000 British military personnel and 10,000 from Australia and New Zealand.
Descendants of veterans and representatives from countries involved in the operation attended the ceremony.
And the principal party leaders - breaking off from the general election campaign - were also in attendance.
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael joined veterans and members of the public to mark the anniversary at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.
Queen Elizabeth II lays a wreath during a service to commemorate ANZAC day
The Queen took part in a two-minute silence before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph
David Cameron lays a wreath at the Cenotaph
PM David Cameron was among those who also laid a wreath
Queen, Philip and William hold minute silence
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Cambridge joined the Queen
Earlier, the Princess Royal took part in a dawn service at Hyde Park Corner, where crowds gathered to watch her laying a wreath at Wellington Arch.
And the Duke of Edinburgh joined a service of remembrance at St Paul's Cathedral in London.