100 years on: Thousands pay tribute to soldiers killed in Gallipoli conflict

Turkey and the former World War I Commonwealth foes of the Ottoman Empire joined together to honour the tens of thousands killed at the Battle of Gallipoli 100 years ago in one of the most futile yet emblematic campaigns of the conflict. Thousands turned out across Australia and New Zealand on Saturday morning for dawn services. The battle on Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula was one of the bloodiest of the Great War, as thousands of soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ANZAC were cut down by machine gun and artillery fire as they struggled ashore on a narrow beach. The fighting would eventually claim more than 130,000 lives, 87,000 of them on the Ottoman side, before the Turks finally repulsed the poorly planned Allied campaign.

It’s a day full of emotion and pride and gratitude. Of solemnity and remembrance. It’s a day that will further reinforce the bond between our two peoples.

Australian Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove

The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry joined more than 10,000 people at the dawn pilgrimage at Gallipoli. Australia’s prime minister Tony Abbott and New Zealand premier John Key were also at the ceremony near Anzac Cove. Other dignitaries included Irish president Michael Higgins. Karenza Harris, 42, from Auckland, said: "It is incredible how quiet 10,000 people can be.“ She was also impressed by the welcome given to visitors, saying: "Everyone in Turkey has been so friendly to us.”

It is amazing to come here and to see the sacrifice and to remember.

Kai Karny-Winters, 14, from New South Wales, was visiting Gallipoli with his father