The annual Anzac Day service in Wick, which pays tribute to Australian and New Zealand service personnel, was held in the town’s cemetery on 25 April. Anzac Day’s roots stretch back to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac), who took part in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915, but it has since become an opportunity to offer wider Remembrance of those who have served these two nations. 

This year’s event took place, as always, at the war graves in the cemetery. The vice-lieutenant of Caithness, Willie Watt, laid a poppy wreath ahead of a two-minute silence. He later added, “I think it’s important to recognise the work done by the Legion [Scotland] branch. If it wasn’t for like-minded people, this kind of event would peter out and it would be forgotten. That would be a massive loss for everybody – for visiting Australians and New Zealanders, to see that they are commemorated in such a proper fashion.” 

Those in attendance also paid tribute to General Sir Henry Horne of Stirkoke, who is buried in the cemetery. He played a key role in the Gallipoli campaign and is credited with protecting the lives of thousands of troops by orchestrating an evacuation of them in November 1915. 

Pipe Corporal Gordon Tait, of Wick Legion Scotland Pipe Band, played ‘The Battle’s O’er’ and ‘Green Hills of Tyrol’ during each part of the commemoration.