A small ceremony was held at RAF Marham today to commemorate ANZAC day, the national day of commemoration of Australia and New Zealand for victims of war and for recognition of their armed forces.
The first ANZAC Day was marked on 25th April 1916 on the first anniversary of Gallipoli.
On the dawn of 25th April 1915 British and Allied troops, which included the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (later named ANZAC), launched a large-scale attach on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The Allied plan for the Australian and New Zealand troops was to distract the Turkish Army away from the British troops landing further down the peninsula. Unfortunately the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed roughly a mile away from the intended beach. While there was no heavy defence on this stretch of beach there was difficult terrain, trekking through gullies and steep cliffs to get onto the mainland. The ANZAC troops were met by Turkish Ottoman soldiers, pinned down, surrounded and could not advance further. The fight between the ANZAC and Turkish troops was brutal with both sides suffering major casualties, but it was particularly brutal for the Australian and New Zealand troops with over 13000 losing their lives on that day
The ANZAC Service of Remembrance at RAF Marham took place at the Station flagpole where the Australian Flag was flying alongside the RAF Ensign. Personnel from the Australian Air Force, who are currently based at RAF Marham as part of an exchange programme, were joined by personnel from across the Station for the service. Another Australian Air Force colleague travelled from RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire, where he is currently based, to join the ceremony.
The Service of Remembrance was conducted by RAF Marham’s Padre’s with one of the Australian Exchange Officers reading out a piece about ANZAC Day. The Officer is currently serving as a pilot with 617 Squadron flying the F-35B Lightning aircraft. He talked about the relationship that the Australian Air Force has with 617 Squadron over the years and paid tribute to the 13 Australians and 2 New Zealanders that had been part of the Dambuster’s Raid almost 81 year’s ago. Unfortunately 2 of the personnel didn’t return that day and a further 2 Australian personnel lost their lives later that year whilst serving with 617 Squadron.
Two of the other personnel are also currently serving with 617 Squadron with one working as an Armourer and the other within the Mission Support area. These are roles that they were carrying out back in Australia working with the F-35A Lightning aircraft.
The Corporal, who had travelled from RAF Wyton for the ceremony, is currently serving as part of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance team. This is similar to his role back in Australia as part of Mission Support Maritime with the P8 aircraft.
After the ceremony everyone gathered in the Chaplaincy Centre for refreshments which included some freshly baked ANZAC biscuits.
