ANZAC Day in London

Tomorrow, 25 April, is ANZAC Day the annual commemoration of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought in World War 1 and those Australians and New Zealanders killed in wars since.

In London the ANZAC Day ceremonies begin with a dawn service at Hyde Park Corner where the official London Australian and New Zealand war memorials are. The Australian one was opened in 2003 and the New Zealand memorial just in November 2006. The Australian and New Zealand High Commissions hold a joint service and have agreed that it will take place in front each of their memorials on alternate years, this year at Australia’s.

The service starts at 5am with a lone piper playing and lasts till around 6am. Anybody can attend but it usually draws a crowd so get there as early as you can for a good spot.

There’s a short Gallipoli Day service and wreath laying at the Gallipoli Memorial in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral from 9.15am-9.30am. Its organised by the Gallipoli Association and all are welcomed to attend.

At 11am in Whitehall there’s a wreath laying ceremony and parade at the Cenotaph, involving representatives of the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions, service and ex-services organizations and a military band. The southern end of Whitehall will be blocked off and you’ll only be able to reach the Cenotaph from the Trafalgar Square end.

Finally there’s an hour long commemoration service starting at noon in Westminster Abbey, admittance to this is by complimentary ticket only.