Today marks the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine.
It was on the evening of 6 August 1915 that the ANZACs struck against entrenched Turkish positions at Lone Pine, Gallipoli.
Within 20 minutes, most of the enemy front line had been captured.
However, four days of bitter hand-to-hand fighting ensued.
Some 800 Australians were killed and 1500 were wounded in and around the trenches.
The Turkish casualties were almost three times ours.
A century on, the Battle of Lone Pine holds a lasting place in the Australian memory.
Our soldiers fought for their mates; for their country, empire and king; and ultimately for the ideal that people and countries should be free.
They stood for duty, loyalty, honour and mateship.
The Battle of Lone Pine was the only success of the August offensive at Gallipoli. Seven Australians earned the Victoria Cross for their actions in the assault.
During that battle, and throughout the Gallipoli campaign, our forebears faced trials scarcely imaginable to those they had left behind.
On this centenary, we pay tribute to all who fought in the Battle of Lone Pine.
We draw strength from their example and we honour the fallen.
Lest we forget.
6 August 2015