Almost 500 Australians
and New Zealanders joined their fellow passengers on the decks of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth
for a very special memorial service last month as the ship sailed the waters off the
Gallipoli Peninsula.
Marking Cunard’s long-standing association with Australian and New Zealand wartime campaigns, including Gallipoli, the emotional ceremony saw the ship’s crew and guests lay wreaths in the water in remembrance of the heroic soldiers who fought in the First World War campaign.
A two-metre high poppy wall floral tribute, shaped as ‘100’ to mark the Anzac centenary, formed the centrepiece for the ceremony.
Marking Cunard’s long-standing association with Australian and New Zealand wartime campaigns, including Gallipoli, the emotional ceremony saw the ship’s crew and guests lay wreaths in the water in remembrance of the heroic soldiers who fought in the First World War campaign.
A two-metre high poppy wall floral tribute, shaped as ‘100’ to mark the Anzac centenary, formed the centrepiece for the ceremony.
The wall was filled with
11,500 red poppies donated by Australians and New Zealanders during Queen
Elizabeth’s calls to Auckland and Sydney as part of her current world cruise,
with the flowers representing the number of Anzacs killed during the campaign.
Visitors to the poppy wall in Auckland and Sydney also wrote personal messages in a special remembrance book, with a selection of those read at this morning’s service. The book will be placed in the ship’s library where it will remain in memory of the heroes of Gallipoli.
Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the waters of Gallipoli on Anzac Day eve, comes during her 112-night world voyage. The ship will arrive into Istanbul early on Anzac Day when some guests will disembark to continue their journey to Gallipoli.
Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge said she was honoured to bring Queen Elizabeth’s guests to the waters of Gallipoli for such a significant occasion.
“The Anzac story resonates for all of us at Cunard. Our connection with the armed forces of Britain, New Zealand and Australia runs very deep. Cunard has supported the services going back to the Crimean War. During the First World War, 20 Cunard ships and many of their crew were lost. It is a legacy of service of which we at Cunard are very proud.”
Guests of honour at the service included Herb Christophers from New Zealand and Mark Keys from Australia, both descendants of Anzac soldiers, who travelled onboard Queen Elizabeth as custodians for the poppies on their journey to Gallipoli.
Mr. Christophers said the voyage was a healing experience, as his family lost four of five sons – including his great grandfather – to World War One.
“The war was supposed to be over by Christmas 1914, instead it lasted four long years. The Christophers family lost a son for each of those four years. This journey is a positive way to remember the sacrifices made by a generation of my family.”
Mr. Keys said he was honoured to be part of Cunard’s Anzac voyage and planned to visit the Lone Pine memorial site of his great grandfather, who was killed on his third day at Gallipoli:
“This is the first opportunity for any member of our family to visit Gallipoli and this 100th anniversary will be a long-treasured memory.”
Some popular traditions that live on as Anzac folklore have been taken onboard Queen Elizabeth during its cruise to Gallipoli including a friendly game of ‘two-up’ played on the ship’s decks and Anzac biscuits served as part of the afternoon tea in the Queens Room. The ship has also organised a screening of Peter Weir’s 1981 classic ‘Gallipoli’ movie as well as informative talks from Gallipoli historians as part of Cunard’s highly-regarded speaker program.
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About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.
World’s Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
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