LONE PINE MEMORIAL
GALLIPOLI PENINSULA, TURKEY

ANZAC DAY, 25 APRIL 2003
10.30AM

We stand in a place of solemn remembrance. We think of the fallen resting in

their graves. We see their headstones. We see their names, each one a life full

of hope and possibility cut down before its time.

But there are those who lie in the ground and in the sea – where they fell.

Those whose graves are indistinguishable from the sand, water and soil that

claimed them. 4, 228 Australians and 708 New Zealanders with no known graves

are commemorated at this memorial.

Lone Pine was a place of particular carnage and bravery. It has been said that

the dead were so thick on the ground that the only respect that could be shown

was to avoid treading on their faces.

Lone Pine was one of a series of diversionary attacks. It was an exercise in

putting oneself in harms way for the benefit of other soldiers. It was not a

task sought by Australians, but it was one they discharged with unrivalled heroism.

This is a Cathedral to courage.

Of the nine Victoria Crosses awarded to Australians during the Gallipoli campaign,

seven were awarded to Australians during the fighting here. Five VCs were awarded

on one day alone – 9 August.

The first Lone Pine VC was awarded to Lance Corporal Leonard Keysor. For two

days he threw back grenades. Some he caught in mid air.

It is hard to imagine chaos here, where now there is order. The foe prevailed.

The dead were buried or lay where they fell.

The guns did not stop here at Gallipoli until the complete withdrawal of the

Imperial Forces on the nights of 18 and 19 December 1915. The withdrawal was

an entire success. Not a single life was lost.

Company Quarter Master Sergeant A.L. Guppy wrote in his diary on the day of

withdrawal,

“Not only muffled is our tread

To cheat the foe,

We fear to rouse our honoured dead

To hear us go.

Sleep sound, old friends-the keenest smart

Which, more than failure, wounds the heart,

Is thus to leave you-thus to part,

Comrades, farewell!!”

The spirit that was forged here has inspired generations of Australians. Other

Australian servicemen and women have fought with similar valour. But this site

is, in our imaginings, its home.

The young soldiers that fell here were full of passion, spirit and love. And

so they will always remain.

We remember the families, the parents, the wives, and the children – those

who live until they die, with the pangs of loss. For those left behind, it was

often the small things from which they took comfort – a badge or button from

a uniform or the last letter received.

We stand here to honour sacrifice. We do so because sacrifice is an uncommon

virtue. And a virtue that we, successive generations of Australians can take

from and learn from and in a much smaller way return.

It is difficult to leave those who have paid so high a price.

In spirit Australia has never left this site. And we never will.

Australia will never forget its fallen.