The sacrifice made by thousands of Australian and New Zealand servicemen during the Second World War was marked at a special ceremony in Arbroath.
Veterans from across Angus joined military personnel from both Australia and New Zealand in quiet respect at the town’s Western Cemetery on Sunday for the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) memorial service.
The event is held each year to commemorate the lives of Australian and New Zealand members of the armed forces who fought and died during both world wars and recent conflicts.
A number of ANZAC soldiers and airmen are buried at the Western Cemetery after dying in mid-air collisions and non-action accidents above or near the town during the 1940s.
The event fell on the 99th anniversary of the commencement of the Gallipoli landings in Turkey, a campaign led by the ANZAC forces, which resulted in catastrophic loss of life and was eventually abandoned.
Jointly organised with the Arbroath branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the Sunday service started at 11.30am at the Western Cemetery and featured local military cadets, music and moving speeches.
Wing commander Dominic Sim of the Australian Defence Force addressed the gathered crowd at the poignant ceremony and spoke of the bravery with which ANZAC service personnel fought during the conflicts.
“The men and women who forged the ANZAC spirit made sure that those who followed them earned their respect,” Commander Sim said.
“They all understood the values of independence, freedom and fairness and above all, possessed a willingness to defend these things if need be because freedom only survives as long as people are willing to defend it.
“We gather not to glorify war but to remind ourselves to value who we are and the freedom we possess.
“And to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed so much to saving the identity of our proud nations and those that continue to serve,” Commander Sim added.
Angus was represented at the event by Provost Helen Oswald and Lord Lieutenant Georgiana Osborne, who both laid wreaths at the cemetery cenotaph.
As the flags of each nation and military standards were lowered near the end of the ceremony a gun salute sounded twice to mark the day of respect.