On Thursday 25 April 2019, the Australian High Commission in Dhaka commemorated the 104th anniversary of ANZAC Day, remembering Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who died in wars and conflicts, including 30 buried in Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries in Bangladesh.
HE Ms Julia Niblett, the High Commissioner of Australia, along with the Bangladesh Government representative, Major General Md Saiful Abedin, BSP, ndc, psc, Director General, DGFI, Chargé d’ Affaires, Embassy of Turkey Mr Enis Faruk Erdem, the Honorary Consul of New Zealand, Mr Neaz Ahmed, and Captain Andrew Dakin, Royal Australian Navy, placed wreaths at the remembrance service.
ANZAC Day is held on 25 April to remember that on that day in 1915, troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed in Gallipoli, Turkey. That was the first time Australian troops fought together as a nation. During the eight month Gallipoli campaign over 8,700 Australians were killed.
This year one ANZAC Day, we acknowledged the contribution of Australian service nurses – men and women – who, for more than a century, have cared for our military casualties overseas and at home. The wars, conflicts and peace operations in which Australians have served have varied greatly, but the care and attention provided by Australian service nurses has remained exceptional.
The Commemorative Service highlighted the sacrifice of servicemen from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force who served with British Royal Air Force Squadrons in both the Burma and India/Ceylon theatres, including around Chittagong during the Second World War. A number of these airmen lost their lives while supporting the jungle fighters and now lie buried in the Chittagong and Comilla war cemeteries.
This day is also a time to remember the essential contribution of those on the home front who support and care for those in service, and often face the loss or injury of loved ones.