First ANZAC Day
Whitehall Westminster London
Image Andrew Shiva/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, – here
Name
The Cenotaph
Connection
A key site for Australian (and British) military commemoration.
Location
Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A 2ET
How to get there
Nearest underground station: Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee Lines)
Summary
The Cenotaph is a war memorial on Whitehall. Following the end of the First World War, a temporary structure was erected for a peace parade. A more permanent structure was built in 1920 after an outpouring of national sentiment. It is Britain’s official War Memorial and forms the centre point of British and Commonwealth war commemoration.
Context
Australian and New Zealand soldiers came in their thousands to London for leave from action in Europe.
Australian soldiers march along Whitehall – Image from – here
Story
The Cenotaph didn’t exist during the First World War, but in 1916 Australian and New Zealand soldiers marched along Whitehall, past the spot where the Cenotaph was to be built. The soldiers marched to Westminster Abbey where a service was held, followed by drinks and celebrations. Many writers have claimed that this march set the tone and atmosphere for future Australian ANZAC Day marches.
“In 1916 the first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April. The day was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services across Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. In London more than 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets; a London newspaper headline dubbed them ‘the knights of Gallipoli’.”