Dignitaries and military veterans laid wreaths at the Pieta Military Cemetery today in a commemorative ceremony marking 100 years since the Anzac landings in Gallipoli.

“While it is important not to lose focus of the futility of war and the often flawed decisions that sent them to their deaths, today we honour the courage of the young men who died so that the light of freedom and liberty might continue to shine,” said Judge Peter Zahra from New South Wales, Australia.

Apart from some 800 Maltese volunteers who supported the Gallipoli campaign, numerous sick and wounded men were evacuated to Malta for medical treatment during the campaign.

By the end of war, some 55,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers had been treated in Malta and 237 remain buried here.

“They did not return home to follow their dreams, but Malta has become their home. Malta showed them kindness and they have become sons of Malta,” said Judge Zahra.

The ceremony was attended by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Foreign Minister George Vella, Speaker of the House Anġlu Farrugia and members of the international diplomatic corps.

Following the ceremony, Mrs Coleiro Preca unveiled two information panels on the cemetery and those buried within, installed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.