FORMER Tasmanian governor William Cox has paid tribute to past and present servicemen and women as well as the innocent victims of war in an Anzac Day keynote speech.
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Mr Cox, whose father won a Military Cross on the Western Front in World War 1, addressed thousands gathered at the Hobart Cenotaph during a sombre commemoration.
He described a graphic soundscape of the Gallipoli landing 100 years ago – the thunder of naval guns, noise of small arms, shouts of orders and cries of the wounded.
Mr Cox spoke of heavy casualties and enormous hardship endured by Australian soldiers during eight months of hell.
He described the landing as a disastrous episode in Australia’s history, but insisted it was one the nation must never forget.
Crowds were told of the courage, humour, stoicism and compassion of the men who fought at Gallipoli.
‘‘They wanted to do their nation proud, and succeed in that they undoubtedly did,’’ Mr Cox said.
‘‘They have continued to be an inspiration to all who served in subsequent wars and peacekeeping engagements right up to the present time.’’
Mr Cox also remembered with sorrow the grieving widows, children and other loved ones, as well as civilians killed in war.
He urged those gathered to remember not only the fallen but also the living who carried mental and physical scars of war.
‘‘The scars of war can be deep, scoring not only the bodies but also the minds and morale of many of the participants,’’ he said.
‘‘It behoves us to acknowledge them and to do what we can to heal their wounds.’’
Following his Centenary Anzac Day speech, Governor Kate Warner unveiled a Victoria Cross memorial and dedicated a new Flame of Remembrance.