ANZAC Day in Gallipoli - by Len Martin

As a true blue Aussie I have always yearned to travel to Gallipoli in Turkey and attempt to experience the tragedy that befell so many of our young men in The Great War of 1914/18. This year, accompanied by our own Black & White Cabs Road Supervisor Mehmet Ozturk, I was privileged to make it a reality.

The Turkish People embraced me with wonderful kindness and respect.  As soon as I mentioned that I was Australian wherever I went I got back "Ah ANZAC", and all doors were opened. I was driven around Istanbul in a Police Car, and driven around Gallipoli in a Turkish Army Truck. This of course had a lot to do with the fact that Mehmet is an ex Turkish Army Commander.

The Gallipoli Trek was very moving and to see for oneself the many graves of the young men who fell from both sides of the conflict moves one to tears very quickly.

One of the most moving sites is a monument constructed by the Turkish Government and unveiled on Anzac Day 1985.  It bears an inscription, written in 1934 by Ataturk - Father of the Turks and Turkey's first President, which is a testament to the great friendship of the Turkish Australian peoples. The text reads;

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... 
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers
who sent their sons from far away countries
wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons as well"

This is truly a very sacred place and I hope to be able to return one day and rekindle the many friendships made.