THE SACRIFICE made by soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who fought in the First World War was commemorated in a service on the Weymouth seafront.

The Anzac Day wreath-laying Ceremony was held yesterday at 11am by the Anzac Memorial.

Though Anzac Day commemorates Australians and New Zealanders who fought and died in all conflicts, the service focussed on the First World War as a result of Weymouth’s history as the site of a military hospital.

Councillors, veterans and members of the public came out to show their respect for the thousands of troops that passed through Weymouth on their way to fight in Europe.

Father Richard Harper, parish priest of St Paul’s Church in Weymouth, led the ceremony.

He said: “One hundred and one years ago the first batch of Anzac soldiers, evacuated from the beaches of Gallipoli arrived at Burdon’s Military Hospital – now the Prince Regent Hotel – to recover from their physical and mental scars, so that they could return to active service, or if not to be returned to their homelands.

“They were the first of nearly 120,000 Anzacs to pass through Weymouth until 1919.”

Representatives from the Australian and New Zealand military attended the service.

Wreaths were laid by Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Christine James, Lieutenant Commander Peter Dargen from the Royal Australian Navy, Lt Cdr Mathew McQuaid from the New Zealand Defence Force and Cllr Les Ames MBE.

After the wreath laying, the crowd observed a minute’s silence followed by a final prayer led by Fr Richard Harper.

Then a verse from the Australian national anthem, the British national anthem and the New Zealand national anthem were played in succession.

Cllr James Farquharson said: “I have quite a lot of friends from New Zealand and Australia, and out of respect to them and the sacrifice their parents might have made, it’s important to be here today."

Lt Cdr Dargen said: “I think these services have a tremendous amount of meaning - particularly given the location, near to the hospital.

“It was a lovely service.”

Fr Harper said: “It is really important to make sure that these sacrifices do not get forgotten and that we remember the Anzac soldiers whose graves are here in Weymouth.”

Cllr Jeff Cant said: “It is incredibly important to recognise our past and remember our history, honouring the sacrifices that have been made.”

Ninety Anzac soldiers, mostly from Australia, died in Weymouth and were buried in war graves around the town.