95th Gallipoli Anniversary
- Lest we forget
Honouring the fallen
The Anzac Day ceremonies in Gallipoli began on Saturday 24 April with the Turkish International Service, and concluded with the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair on 25 April. The services were attended by the Prime Minister John Key, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, as well as dignitaries from Australia and Turkey.
The official NZ contingent also included Defence Force personnel—including a ceremonial Guard of Honour, a Maori Cultural Group and a tri-Service band—veterans, students, and representatives from the Returned and Services Association, Ministry of Culture and Heritage and Veterans Affairs. Air Force Corporal Philip Dittmer was part of the tri-Service NZ Defence Force guard that paraded at the Anzac Day services.
He said his trip to Gallipoli had special meaning as his Great Uncle, Brigadier George Dittmer—the first Commanding Officer of the legendary 28th Maori Battalion—served at Gallipoli.