Sir, – Thanks to Bryan MacMahon (An Irishman's Diary, April 21st) for the interesting biography of John Sandes in the context of the upcoming Anzac Day ceremonies.
Allow me to add that while the first Dawn Service was held in Grangegorman Cemetery in 2006, Anzac Day has been marked in Ireland since 1990 when the New Zealand and Australian communities first gathered on April 25th to honour the memories of Anzac soldiers. There has been an Anzac ceremony every year since then with the focus gradually extending to include Irish, Turkish and other nations’ soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli.
The 26th Annual Anzac Service takes place this year in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Sunday at 3.30pm. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER KINDER,
New Zealand Ireland
Association,
Lucan, Co Dublin.