The ANZAC's         

ANZAC is the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the formation created in December 1914 by grouping the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force stationed in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant-General William Birdwood. Initially the term 'Australasian Corps' had been mooted for this force, but there was a reluctance among both Australians and New Zealanders to lose their separate identities completely.

The acronym itself was probably devised at Birdwood's headquarters by a New Zealand clerk, Sergeant K.M. Little, for use on a rubber stamp. Some time later it was taken on as the telegraph code word for the corps. Consisting of the 1st Australian Division and the New Zealand and Australian Division (under Major-General A.J. Godley), the corps made its operational debut at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The small cove where Australian and New Zealand troops landed was quickly designated  'Anzac', and the word was soon being used to describe all Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought on the peninsula, and eventually any Australian or New Zealand soldier.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

          Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

            They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

     They fell with their faces to the foe.

Laurence Binyon

ANZAC 2010

This event will take place at the Western Cemetery on 25th April 2010

New Zealand Society Scotland Website

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Kookaburras Restaurant

 

The Arbroath ANZAC Ceremony

 

 

 

The Arbroath ANZAC ceremony takes place at the town's Western Cemetery and is organised by the New Zealand  Society Scotland with the assistance of the Arbroath Branch of The Royal British Legion Scotland.

The New Zealand Society Scotland also highlight the other conflicts Australians and New Zealanders have taken part in across the globe. This ceremony is also attended by a representative from the New Zealand High Commission in London and local civic dignitaries. In the spirit of ANZAC Australians & New Zealanders who live locally take an active part in the ceremony. Commemorations are held at the graves of the four NZ servicemen's which makes for an emotional ceremony. The Arbroath Instrumental Band provides appropriate music which includes 'Po kare ana' and 'Waltzing Matilda'. A piper also plays the specially commissioned lament written by New Zealand Society Scotland piper Mr Jim Fitzpatrick 'They watch Over Scotia Still'.