On April 25, 1915, British, Australian, New Zealand and Indian troops landed on Gallipoli at what is now called Anzac Cove. The invasion was aimed at capturing and securing the Ottoman capital of Istanbul and therefore the gateway to the Black Sea and eastern Europe.

Swept off course from their intended landing site, Anzac troops were trapped on the steep cliffs of Ariburnu under fierce attack from Turkish Troops. What was supposed to be a speedy attack turned into a rout, and after nine months of terrible fighting the Allied forces were finally withdrawn in January, 1916 — with the death toll of Commonwealth servicemen at 36,000.

Each year their legend is commemorated at a Dawn Service on the fateful Gallipoli peninsula, as well as other ceremonies around the globe.