Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 25, 2025
The Governor-General, Army veterans, families of soldiers including those of Indian origin who sacrificed their lives in the service of the Nation, officers of the New Zealand Defence Force and families of war heroes were among those who attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Memorial Service in Wellington and Auckland.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is in Europe on a State Visit travelled to Gallipoli in Turkiye (Turkey) to pay his respects. This Day connotes the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in 1915.
Dawn Services in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the dawn services in Wellington and Auckland are among the most significant. At Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, the service commenced at 6 am, with the lament “We Will Remember Them” played on the bagpipes.
In the Auckland Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro delivered a poignant address, first in te reo Māori and then in English. She spoke of the enduring legacy of the ANZAC, acknowledging the deep sorrow felt by families who lost loved ones in war. She reminded the gathered crowd that the trauma of loss lingers for generations and expressed gratitude to those currently serving.
“This Anzac Day, when we reflect on the sobering realities of war, and the current state of the world, we see the ideals embodied in the United Nations being routinely ignored, and coercive power being used to threaten human rights and the territorial sovereignty of others. In these volatile and uncertain times, New Zealand continues to subscribe to the ideal of peaceful resolution of geopolitical tensions, while also acknowledging the role our nation’s defence personnel have played – and will continue to play in defending freedom, justice and the rule of law,” she said.
(One News Screen Grab)
Nicola Willis in Wellington
Speaking at the Dawn Memorial Service in Wellington, Finance and Economic Growth Nicola Willis said, “We have gathered in the darkness to remember all those we have lost in war. We honour their sacrifice and all those who serve. As we look for the first light, those gathered connected, reflecting on the history and values that connect us as New Zealanders.”
Veterans Minister Chris Penk said in a statement that he would introduce legislation in Parliament to recognise the contributions of Indian soldiers as members of ANZAC, along with others.
“Indian bravery at Gallipoli (along with Kiwi, Australian and other Nations) must be honoured. Our Amendment to the Anzac Day Act will address this historical anomaly and unfairness,” he said.
(Screen Grab of Auckland Dawn Prayers)
Luxon in Gallipoli
Mr Luxon attended services in Gallipoli, reinforcing the significance of the occasion. Wreaths were placed at the special site followed by tributes from King Charles, the governments of New Zealand and Australia, and the Mayor of Arras, France, a city with historical ties to ANZAC forces.
Mr Luxon said that Gallipoli is a name etched into New Zealand’s national identity.
“It represents not only this shore and these hills, but the valour that was shown here on both sides, the terrible sacrifice, and the utter tragedy of war. About 16,000 Kiwis served here. At the time, we were a nation of just one million people. Our contribution as a small nation at the bottom of the world was disproportionate. What happened here scarred generations of New Zealanders,” he said.
Mr Luxon said that while New Zealand remains proud of those who served, what happened cannot be glorified, instead we we acknowledge the courage and tenacity of the Anzacs, and we respect the valour of the Ottoman Turks who resisted them.
“The passage of 110 years has lifted the fog of war and given us a clearer view of the futility of the Gallipoli campaign and New Zealand’s role in it. But that greater understanding does not diminish our respect for those who fought. On Anzac Day in particular, we remember the stories of selfless acts of courage that ordinary men committed to save their mates, never knowing that, in doing so, they were writing themselves into the history of our Nation,” he said.
Indian Soldiers at ANZAC
The history of ANZAC Day is deeply rooted in the Gallipoli campaign, where New Zealand and Australian troops fought alongside British and Indian forces. The Campaign was intended to secure a strategic foothold against the Ottoman Empire but resulted in heavy casualties and an eventual withdrawal. Despite the military failure, the bravery and camaraderie displayed by the ANZAC forged a lasting legacy.
Among the lesser-known contributors to the Gallipoli campaign were Indian soldiers, including Sikhs, Gurkhas, Muslims, and Hindus. Approximately 15,000 Indian troops participated, playing vital roles in frontline assaults and logistical support. The 14th Sikh Regiment, part of the 29th Indian Brigade, demonstrated extraordinary courage during the Third Battle of Krithia in June 1915, suffering devastating losses. Their unwavering resolve in the face of relentless enemy fire earned them admiration from their allies.
Despite overwhelming losses, not a single soldier wavered. They held their ground, refusing to retreat, fighting to the last breath. General Sir Ian Hamilton, the Commander of the Gallipoli operations, later wrote in admiration: “In the highest sense of the word, extreme gallantry has been shown by this fine Battalion. Not an inch of ground gained was given up, and not a single straggler came back.”
The Indian Mule Corps also played a crucial role, in transporting supplies and wounded soldiers across the treacherous terrain of Gallipoli. Despite the racial prejudices of the time, strong bonds of camaraderie formed between Indian soldiers and their ANZAC counterparts. Letters and diaries from Australian soldiers recount shared meals, laughter, and grief with Sikh comrades, highlighting the deep mutual respect that developed on the battlefield.
(Screen Grab of Auckland Dawn Prayers)
Bravery beyond words
Despite the racial prejudices of the time, deep bonds of camaraderie formed between the Indian soldiers and their ANZAC counterparts. Letters and diaries from Australian soldiers recount moments of shared meals, laughter, and grief with Sikh comrades. Sergeant Charles Frederick Reeve of the Australian Imperial Force wrote of evenings spent in the trenches, where men from vastly different worlds sat side by side, swapping stories under starlit skies. These were not fleeting alliances of convenience; they were forged in blood and brotherhood.
The sacrifices of Indian soldiers are commemorated at the Helles Memorial in Turkey, where the names of 1358 fallen Indian troops are inscribed. Additionally, more than 3420 Indian soldiers were wounded in Gallipoli, their suffering largely forgotten in mainstream historical narratives. But not all of them rest far from home. In the heart of India, at the Delhi War Cemetery, ANZAC graves lie in solemn silence, a lasting testament to the global nature of this sacrifice.
As we honour the ANZAC, it is imperative that we also remember the Indian soldiers who fought and died alongside them. Their courage, their sacrifice, and their unwavering spirit deserve recognition. Their story is not just one of war, it is one of unity, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood that transcend borders and generations.
