By Ashleigh and Samuel Taylor

ANZAC research

Red Poppy The Red Poppy became a popular symbol for soldiers who died in battle. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died or still serve in war. In New Zealand it is mostly seen around ANZAC day on the 25th of April. When WW1 ended the only flower still remaining was the poppy which grew in Flanders Fields.

The Red Poppy that a lot of New Zealanders wear around ANZAC day.

ANZAC biscuit historyDuring WW1 the wives, mothers and girlfriends of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers were concerned for the nutritional value of food being supplied to the troops. Food was transported across the sea at a maximum speed of ten knots by ships of the Merchant Navy. The food that was sent had to remain edible for at least two months.At first the biscuits were called ‘Soldiers biscuits’ but after the landing on Gallipoli in 1915 they were named Anzac biscuits. As war carried on churches, schools and other women’s committees would dedicate a lot of time to make Anzac biscuits. When WW2 came, refrigeration was installed in many Merchant Navy Ships so the biscuits were not ideal to make. Other foods, such as fruit cake, were sent to soldiers.

ANZAC biscuits with soldiers standing around them.

Gallipoli: what happened, its significance to New Zealand

The Gallipoli peninsula invasion was New Zealand’s first real contribution to the war effort.The Allies came up with a plan to invade the Gallipoli peninsula after failed naval attempts to try and capture the Dardanelles.The ANZACs along with the British, French, Indians and other Allied countries invaded the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 25th of April 1915. The landings went wrong and the ANZACs landed about 2-3km down shore from where they were supposed to land in what now is called ANZAC cove. The ANZACs dug in and held their ground for the long gruelling crusade against the opposing Turkish defenders. The furthest point that the ANZACs reached was Chunuk Bair, A summit looking over ANZAC cove, was captured on the 8th August 1915 by the Wellington Battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone. The Allies decided to withdraw the ANZAC from Gallipoli on the 18th of December and by the 20th of December the remaining 20,000 ANZACs had left the Peninsula.

An Australian soldier carries his wounded mate in Gallipoli, 1915.

How people remember the ANZACS today

Anzac Day is on the 25th April which is one of Australia and New Zealand's most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name lasts to this day. Australia and New Zealand remember the ANZACS by holding dawn services every year. Dawn service is an opportunity for ex and current service men to parade locally in their hometowns with all family and friends watching.

A lone soldier at a dawn service.

Websites- www.nzhistory.net.nz - google images- www.anzac.govt.nz - http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/anzac

-day/- http://www.anzac.govt.nz/gallipoliguide/galli

poliguidegallery.html

Bibliography

Lest we forget