Anzac Day

Articles, letters, and poems regarding the Gallipoli campaign, the Anzacs, and Anzac Day.

Heroes of the Dardanelles [6 June 1915]
Extracts of letters from several Australian soldiers.

Australians at work: Brisk battles fought: Heavy losses reported [7 June 1915]
A cable message from Major-General Sir Ian Hamilton, reporting on the fighting at Gallipoli.

“Turks won’t reap the barley” [25 June 1915]
Letter from an Australian soldier.

Anzac Cove: A new Australian word [1 July 1915]
An article about the creation of the word “Anzac”.

The Call From the Dardanelles [6 October 1915]
Poem by G. Brownell.

Anzacs [2 May 1916]
Poem by Robert McJannett.

Anzac Day [23 April 1920]
Poem by L. E. Homfray.

Our Debt of Honour [11 March 1921]
Poem by L. E. Homfray (a slightly different version of her poem “Anzac Day”).

Anzac Crosses [18 April 1921]
Poem by L. E. Homfray.

The grief and glory of Gallipoli: Anzac poetry [27 April 1929]
Article by A. G. Stephens.

This is a Holy Day [25 April 1932]
An editorial about Anzac Day.

Anzac Immortelles [6 May 1933]
Poem by M. Robinson.

Anzacs [14 April 1938]
Poem by A. O. Lane.

Anzacs [28 April 1942]
Poem by an unnamed U.S. Army corporal.

Anzacs [24 April 1944]
Poem by Olive Hall.

Anzacs [23 April 1953]
Poem by Ralph Reeves.

Note: Although the following two works were created with no direct relationship to Australia, they are relevant here as they form an iconic part of Australia’s military traditions:
The Ode of Remembrance [1914]
“The Ode” is taken from “For the Fallen” (1914), written by Laurence Binyon, an English poet.
In Flanders’ Fields [1915]
A poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon in the Canadian army.