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Anzac centenary: Australia marks soldiers' WW1 departure | Anzac centenary: Australia marks soldiers' WW1 departure |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thousands of people gathered in the Australian town of Albany to mark the departure of 30,000 Anzac troops 100 years ago during World War One. | |
The remote town in Western Australia was where many of the Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers set sail for Europe on 1 November 1914. | The remote town in Western Australia was where many of the Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers set sail for Europe on 1 November 1914. |
The commemorations featured a re-enactment of the convoy's departure. | |
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key attended the events on Saturday. | |
Australia's entry into World War One began with the departure of the soldiers on 38 troop ships, protected by Australian, New Zealand and Japanese battle cruisers and warships. | Australia's entry into World War One began with the departure of the soldiers on 38 troop ships, protected by Australian, New Zealand and Japanese battle cruisers and warships. |
Many were sent to fight in the disastrous Gallipoli campaign of 1915, during which thousands of lives were lost. | |
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told those attending the service that the Anzac troops would never be forgotten. "The scale of sacrifice and loss was beyond anything imaginable," he added. | |
Australia's governor-general Peter Cosgrove said the soldiers would have been unaware of the horrors of World War One. | |
"There would have been excitement, trepidation", he told the BBC. "I think there was also a sense of exhilaration because the rumour at the time was that this war would be over quite quickly." | |
The military re-enactment on Albany's King George Sound waters featured five Royal Australian Navy warships, two from New Zealand and one from Japan. | |
About 800 soldiers took part in a march through Albany's streets ahead of Mr Abbott's commemorative address. | |
Colin Barnett, the premier of Western Australia, and Mr Key also gave speeches before wreaths were laid at Albany Peace Park. | |
It is estimated that over 60,000 people attended Saturday's events. Amongst them were senior veterans, Maori and Japanese soldiers. | |
Are you in Albany? Are you taking part in the commemorations? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in Albany? Are you taking part in the commemorations? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
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