From Australia with Love through a story of Gallipoli

I read an article a little while back by Chris Elliott in the Cyprusscene.com website entitled “RBL, Kyrenia Branch: Çanakkale – Gallipoli“. This got me interested in putting this story together. Also thanks to Chris Elliott for his encouragement and help in bringing you this story.

I have been to Çanakkale and Gelibolu – Gallipoli twice. The last one was for the Dawn Ceremony on 25th of April 31 Anzac Cemetary seen from the beach2010. Gallipoli is simply an amazing place as I got to walk around the well known sites that so much has been written about I felt very emotional. I have read several books on the Gallipoli or Canakkale wars that have been written by both Australian and Turkish authors, amazingly there is no animosity in their stories. It is said to be the war out of which friendship and respect for each other was born.

When I first arrived in Australia from Cyprus I witnessed the commemoration and watched it on television on the 25th of April in 1972. I was fascinated that they were talking about a war that happened in Turkey in 1915 with Australians and New Zealanders as part of the allied forces. In the history books in the Turkish language this war is simply known as “Canakkale Savasi” (Canakkale War) and there are very sad songs about the loss of life during this war on both sides of the conflict. One particular song’s verse reverberates in my mind since my primary school days up to today.