THE HISTORY OF ANZAC DAY

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Each year on the 25th April, a solemn day in history is marked around the world by Australians and New Zealanders.  This day marks the anniversary of a World War I campaign launched by Allied troops on the Turkish Peninsula at Gallipoli. Their aim was to capture the peninsula that was being held by forces of the Ottoman Empire.  A successful campaign would have allowed Allied troops to open up the way to the Black Sea in order for Allied navies to enter.

The 25th April 1915 was a day when major casualties were sustained by the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) combined forces. The men who took part in this deadly campaign, were referred to henceforth as ANZAC's. 

When the troops landed at Gallipoli, they encountered major resistance from the Turkish Ottoman troops. A swift assault from the Allies turned into a battle that lasted until the end of the year. And the end of the campaign, over 56,000 troops had been killed, including 2,721 from New Zealand and 8,709 from Australia.  

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These men of Australia and New Zealand gave their lives for their countries and their families.  Each year, their heroism is remembered in places both large and small, in all corners of the world where they lay... unforgotten.  

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ANZAC BISCUITS                               

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In order to help sustain their men when away during the war, families would send biscuits from home.  With the delay in getting the biscuits to their loved ones, these biscuits needed to remain edible for quite a long time.The biscuits also needed to be of nutritional value.  The ones sent contained coconut, oats, syrup, flour and sugar.  Traditionally crunchy on the outside and a little soft on the inside, ANZAC BISCUITS are offered at ceremonies.  Keeping in line with tradition, we offer ANZAC biscuits at the end of the ceremony.  For the past three years, these have kindly been supplied by Wellington City Council. ​​

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