25 April 2021
A Dawn Service has been held aboard HMAS Anzac in the South China Sea to commemorate Anzac Day.
The ship's company, currently on a regional deployment in South East Asia, paused to mark the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula on April 25, 1915.
The ceremony included a laying of wreaths and the singing of the Australian national anthem by Leading Seaman Imogen Reiri.
Anzac Operations Officer Liam McMahon played The Last Post on the bugle before the crew observed a minute’s silence to honour the servicemen and women who have died in all conflicts.
Commander Officer Anzac Lieutenant Commander Brendan Horn said the service was held to uphold the Anzac spirit while the ship continued to serve Australia's national interests at sea.
In his address, Lieutenant Commander Horn said it was a memorable moment for ship’s company to spend Anzac Day in Anzac.
“Spending Anzac Day at sea is special and even more significant onboard Anzac. I can feel a real sense of mateship and I can also feel the support from our family and friends back home,” he said.
Also present at the Dawn Service were Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Edward Smith, who provided the drum beat as the Catafalque Party marched on, and Royal New Zealand Navy exchange officer Sub Lieutenant Keva Ready, who spoke on behalf of New Zealand servicemen and women.
Sub Lieutenant Ready noted that the shared bond between Australia and New Zealand had started on the beaches of Gallipoli and continued today.
“Today, as we remember all those who have served in the Royal Australian Navy, and Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, we carry with us the mana and the spirit of the Anzacs," she said.
Anzac will return to her home port in Western Australia in May.
Further imagery is available at: https://images.defence.gov.au/S20211281
