Anniversary of the
Battle of Lone Pine
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Dan Tehan said today marked the 102nd
anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine, one of
the most bitterly fought actions of the
Gallipoli Campaign.
More than
2,200 Australians were killed or wounded in the
battle and there were up to 7,000 casualties on
the Turkish side.
The Australian Ambassador Designate to Turkey
Marc Innes-Brown will lay a wreath at Lone Pine
Memorial and Cemetery at 9am local time (4pm
AEST) today.
Mr Tehan
said the battle exemplified the courage,
resilience and determination associated with the
Anzacs.
“The fighting at Lone Pine was brutal and bloody
as soldiers from both sides fought with
bayonets, bombs, rifles, and even their fists,”
Mr Tehan said.
“Incredible bravery was demonstrated on both
sides, with seven members of the Australian
Imperial Force awarded the Victoria Cross—the
most from any single action during the First
World War. Many more received decorations for
their part in the fighting.
“The Battle of Lone Pine is a part of the Anzac
legend and the history of our nation, it is our
duty to never forget it.”
Lone Pine Cemetery is the location of the
Memorial to the Missing which lists the names of
the 4,224 Australians who lost their lives at
Gallipoli and who have no known grave.
Media
enquiries: ]
Minister Tehan’s
Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262 894
Department of
Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 471
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling
Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day
across Australia for crisis support and free and
confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046
(international: +61 8 8241 45 46). VVCS is a
service founded by Vietnam veterans.