Returned soldiers dinner, Town Hall, Sydney, Anzac Day 1916. Image courtesy State Library of NSW.
- April 25 is officially declared as Anzac Day. Throughout the Commonwealth large crowds of people attend commemorative services to mark the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
- In London 1,300 Australian and 700 New Zealand troops receive a rousing reception as they march through the streets to Westminster Abbey where a service is held in honour of their contribution to the Gallipoli campaign
- In Sydney up to 100,000 people attend a memorial service in the Sydney Domain. Returned soldiers are guests of honour at a dinner held at the Town Hall.
- In Orange shops and local businesses close between 12 and 2pm so that people can attend a street procession and a combined memorial service at the Australian Hall
- In Egypt William Dalton Lycett of the 4th Field Ambulance records in his diary:
Reveille 5 a.m. Anniversary of Gallipoli landing. On parade 6 a.m., orders, roll call and gargle. Ribbons given out for day by divisional orders to those entitled. Red for landing, blue for campaign. I received both. Could not attend Memorial Service at 6.30 a.m. Very sorry. Very hot day again. On duty 2 p.m., dressings, foments, med. etc., tea for patients 5 p.m. Old members of corps held dinner in honor of day, at 6.30 p.m. Old officers present, splendid dinner, very nice evening, toasts, speeches etc. O.C. said would be leaving for France within 2 weeks. Closed 10 p.m., lights out 10.15.
- Elise Neumann, the wife of Manildra doctor Eugene Neumann, pens a commemorative poem that appears in the Molong Express. [When WWI began the German-born Neumanns were subjected to many assaults on their character and reputation, despite becoming British subjects in 1905]. Anzac Day
The wings of night enwrapt the sleeping morn,
And ghostly ships in misty clouds asway
Upon the restless sea, straining like hounds in leash,
To rush the dawn which gave us Anzac Day.“Reveille” calls the taut young forms from sleep,
The chaplain prays “Blessed God be with you,” then—
In single file adown the gangways creep,
Brothers, sweethearts, sons—Australia’s men.With hearts afire they faced the glowing dawn,
And stormed the rugged heights as would wild deer,
To rout the lurking foe from hidden trench,
For in their splendid youth they knew not fear.They blazed the trail, their glorious Day was done,
At dusk within the grave from fret of war they lay,
Their shrouds the golden glory of the sun,
Immortal heroes of Australia’s Anzac Day.
