Australia High Commission holds ANZAC Day commemoration service in Dhaka

The Australian High Commission in Dhaka has commemorated the 102nd anniversary of ANZAC Day, remembering Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who died in wars and conflicts.

This includes 30 who are buried in Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries in Bangladesh, the High Commission said.

High Commissioner Julia Niblett, along with the Bangladesh government representative, Air Commodore M Habib Ahsan Khan, Turkish Ambassador Devrim Öztürk, and Honorary Consul of New Zealand Neaz Ahmed, placed wreaths at the remembrance service in Dhaka.

The Commemorative Service highlighted the sacrifice of servicemen from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force who served with British Royal Air Force Squadrons in both the Burma and India/Ceylon theatres, including around Chittagong during the Second World War.

Some these airmen lost their lives while supporting the jungle fighters and now lie buried in the Chittagong and Comilla war cemeteries.

ANZAC Day is held on Apr 25 to remember that on that day in 1915 troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli, Turkey.

That was the first time Australian troops fought together as a nation.

During the eight-month Gallipoli campaign over 8,700 Australians were killed.

Between 2014 and 2018, Australia commemorates the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since their involvement in the First World War.

“It is also a time to remember the essential contribution of those on the home front who support and care for those in service, and often face the loss or injury of loved ones,” the High Commission said in a statement.