A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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Picking our way through a sea of arms legs sleeping blankets and picnic rugs, we made our
way to the hastily constructed stage to the cries of “Yay! The band’s here! Awsome!” Our
impromptu sound check was met with roars of appreciation from the crowd. The sounds of
Crowded House and Diesel echoed around the hills intermingled with anticipation, elation,
sombre remembrance and a willingness to keep the spirit of all that served at Gallipoli and
became sons of Turkey forever.
At about 0450 it was down to business with the band preparing the crowds for the arrival of
the VIP’s and the Dawn Service itself.
On completion of the Dawn Service, the contingent and official guests were invited back to
the Kum Hotel for ANZAC day’s “shotgun” breakfast banquet. Having left the Hotel in
Cannakkale some 12 hours before, the food and beverages (and the odd Bundy and coffee!)
were more than welcome to get the two-up rolling into full swing. I think the highlight of
breakfast was the boss winning 1,000,000 Turkish Leura ($1.00 AUS) of the Minister for
Defence in a game of “Two Up”. (He took it too)!!
The Australian service was preceded by a stream of thousands slowly trickling along and up
the steep winding roads from ANZAC cove to the memorial at Lone pine. Emotions were
high and remembering the Aussie’s that had lost their lives particularly at ANZAC Cove and
“The Nek” brought emotions welling up in the faces of the crowd, the ancestor of an
original Pine standing gnarled but proud among them.
The memorial service culminated in the crowd of approximately 8, 000 coming to its feet.
Mexican waves washed around the seating and Australian flags were being waved at every
opportunity. The crowd literally roared for the band to play. I have never played for and
been part of such an appreciative and proud group of people. The feeling was that of
completely uplifting natural high mixed with the sombreness and severity of the reason we
were all amassed at this place at this time. Quite unforgettable!
After another wonderful banquet for lunch, the contingent heaved themselves into the
busses and made for the journey back to the hotel in Cannakkale and those that had the
energy celebrated the night away.
The realisation that the reason we were here has passed was quite abrupt. It was a strange
sensation reflecting as we made our journey back to Istanbul. The service, the day, the
colour and ceremony the solemn moments and the elation seemed like so long ago- but it
was all just yesterday. I was so glad there would be so many photographs as the whole
experience felt more like a dream than reality and I felt I would need a tangible reminder
of what we had experienced.
As I sit here today at my desk with photographs of the trip on my wall I think to myself how
lucky I was to have been part of the experience of the Gallipoli legend. Just setting foot at
ANZAC cove was unforgettable enough, let alone being a part of the ceremony to remember
the men that not only lost their lives there but help forge the “Australian” character that
we all carry with us in some part today. This, I will never forget.
Article by Able Seaman Beth Winterhalter
It was the day before Anzac Day, and all through the band, the excitement was growing and
the nerves were rising. Rehearsals went well. Services at the Turkish Memorial and
Commonwealth Memorial went off without a hitch.
Able Seaman Sampson played the bugle at the Commonwealth Memorial Service and I
played the echo. The first real gig for the trip was finally here. I couldn’t believe it. The
next day was Anzac Day. THE DAY!!
We were required to be up at 0001 hours. The Contingent Commander made wake up calls
to every room, to ensure all personnel were ready. I was really excited as we boarded the
ferry at 0130 to cross the Dardanelles. It was very eerie at this time of the morning, cold,
dark and extremely windy. But not raining which was a blessing.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage