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The Kia ora coo-ee : the magazine for the ANZACS in the Middle East, 1918

Gallipoli Day

Gallipoli Day.

The keeping of Gallipoli Day, originally called Anzac Day, is now an institution in Cairo. It was instituted by the Anzacs, but there were other heroes besides the Australian and New Zealand troops on Gallipoli; and it is in memory of all who fell on the spot, or who were later carrisd, after terrible sufferings, to their last resting place in Old Cairo, that we now keep the Day.

How many tired bodies found peace in that quiet graveyard, wreathed in wavy palms and dark cypresses, and covered in tender green Perhaps some of the mothers, fathers and sisters in those far off Dominions, as well as in the Motherland, felt something of the sympathy of tender thoughts, and the soft tears that fell on those lonely graves, with their simple crosses, many bearing but a name, "who gave his li'e," and a date on or after April 25. 1915. Not a woman whp tore her soft hands with the roses' thorns for another's son or lover, but her thoughts flew to that woman far away, mourning her loved one, grieving that she may not even see his grave. But let those sad women believe that their men are not forgotten, and that many tender thoughts go out to them.

A service was held on the morning of April 25th, in All Saints' church, which was attended by H.E. the High Commissioner, and many prominent soldiers and civilians. In the morning of the same day, loads of flowers arrived at the Anzac Hostel, and were made into wreaths and crosses by Cairo ladies. In the afternoon, when a meeting was held, these were massed upon the stage in the big hall, and at the back was a large cross of white lilies and roses, bearing the words, "Lest We Forget Gallipoli."

When the National Anthem had been sung, the Rev. F. Phillpots offered up a prayer, and Lord Radstock read Chap. XIII of ISIAH. Mr. W. Jessop, secretary of the Y.M.C.A., acted as chairman, and in his opening word explained why we now say Gallipoli Day. The idea is that people in Egypt have a special interest in the Gallipoli campaign; they saw the men start for the Dardanelles, some worked amongst there near the front, and many welcomed them when they leturned to Egypt. Since their return, the memorial service has been held in honour of all, Australians, New Zealanders, British from the Motherland, and all the Allied troops who took part in the fighting. Brigadier-General E. M. Paul, C.B., who, during the past week, had received news of the death of one his sons, in France, made an appealing and stirring speech. The chairman then read a letter from H.E. the High Commissioner, containing a sympathetic message to the meeting.

Lord Radstock, expressed the thanks of all to General Paul, those who had so generously responded to the appeal for flowers, and the ladies who had spent the morning preparing them. Lieut. Atkinson then sang the solo, "Lest We Forger." The Welch Band, played sacred music in the early part of the afternoon and finished with the "Dead March in Saul." When the Last Post had been sounded, the flowers were piled up in carriages, and many of the visitors accompanied them to the cemetery, where they were laid upon the graves.