The Anzacs of Gallipoli
  • Home
  • Background
    • Who were the Anzacs?
      • Why were they at Gallipoli?
        • What was their involvement?
          • Where did they serve at Gallipoli?
            • What did they experience at Gallipoli?
            • Images
              • The journey to and landing at Anzac Cove
                • The environment
                  • Daily life at Gallipoli
                    • Campaigns
                      • Casualties
                        • Trenches close up
                          • Evacuation
                            • The environment today
                              • Cemeteries and memorials
                                • Graves at Gallipoli
                                • Personal Accounts
                                  • Journey and landing
                                    • Campaigns
                                      • Daily life at Gallipoli
                                        • Food
                                          • The wounded and the dead
                                            • Evacuation
                                              • Thoughts on war
                                              • Learning Activities
                                                • Send a postcard home
                                                  • Eat like an Anzac
                                                    • A newsworthy story
                                                      • Send a Christmas billy
                                                        • 24 hours in a day
                                                          • Writing home
                                                            • Dear Diary
                                                              • A letter to a soldier
                                                                • The landscape of Gallipoli
                                                                  • Gravestones of the fallen
                                                                    • Remembering our Anzacs
                                                                      • Research a soldier
                                                                      • Extras
                                                                        • Spirit of Anzac Tour 2011 Video
                                                                          • Acknowledgements
                                                                            • Advice for teachers
                                                                              • Bibliography

                                                                              Who were the Anzacs?

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                                                                              ANZAC is an acronym devised in 1915 for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. It soon became the term that the men used for themselves. For the purpose of this website the term Anzac references The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) that served in World War One.

                                                                              In 1914 when war was declared the AIF was created to assist Great Britain in the allied war effort. The AIF was made up of volunteers who enlisted specifically for the war.

                                                                              In total, approximately 50,000 Australians were sent to Gallipoli.  The youngest known was 14. Although 18 was the minimum legal age for enlistment, records show that a number of young men under the age of 18 served at Gallipoli.

                                                                              James Martin, the youngest Australian to serve in World War One, died at age 14 and 9 months in October 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign.

                                                                              Of those 50,000 Australian soldiers 8,709 died and 19,441 were wounded at Gallipoli between the months of April and December 1915.