Chief of the Defence Force leads Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli

The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley, joined thousands of Australians who made the pilgrimage to Turkey to commemorate Anzac Day.

General Hurley recited the Ode of Remembrance on behalf of all Australians during this morning's Dawn Service at Anzac Cove.

"It was a rare privilege to read the Ode at a time when so many Australians are rediscovering the significance of the Gallipoli landing in our nation's history.

"I have a great a sense of reverence for the fallen who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign."

General Hurley will also deliver an address during the service at Lone Pine later this afternoon.

"As a former Commander of 1st Brigade myself, I feel a deep affinity with Colonel Nevill Smyth, VC and his men who led the first assault on the trenches at Lone Pine.

"On the eve of the Anzac Centenary, it is important to honour the original Anzacs' sacrifice and to remember all Australian servicemen and women who have fallen over the past 100 years," General Hurley said.

Approximately 3,200 Australian Defence Force personnel who are currently deployed on operations at home and abroad will also commemorate Anzac Day.

"Our serving personnel are the custodians of the Anzac spirit. They carry the spirit and continue to uphold the values of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice."

Earlier this week, General Hurley presented a scale model of the Royal Australian Navy's AE2 submarine to the Naval Museum at Besiktas.

When the AE2 attempted to enter the Sea of Marmara on 25 April 1915, the minefields protecting the narrow strait along the Dardanelles had already claimed three Allied battleships and two submarines.

"The AE2 crew was captured and the boat scuttled, but the story of how we discovered the wreck more than 80 years after World War I speaks to the friendship Australia has now forged with the people of Turkey," General Hurley said.

Media note:
Stills imagery from the commemorations in Gallipoli will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20141000e
Additional stills imagery, including individual location galleries, will be available throughout the day at: http://www.defence.gov.au/events/anzacday/images.asp

Vision will be fed to the Parliament House Gallery as it is received throughout the day.

Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999