Each year on ANZAC Day (25 April), communities across Australia and New Zealand gather before dawn.

In cities, on beaches, and at local memorials, people stand together in quiet reflection. Many do not know one another, yet they are united by a shared purpose - to remember those who served, those who were lost, and the values that continue to endure.

The day marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, but its meaning has grown far beyond that moment in history. Today, ANZAC Day honours all who have served, across generations.

What stands out is not just the scale of remembrance, but its character. Some attend dawn services. Others march or lay wreaths. Families share stories, wear medals passed down through generations, or simply pause in their own way. Each act, however small, reflects a deep and personal connection to service and sacrifice.

The themes often associated with ANZAC Day - courage, resilience, compassion, respect and 'mateship' - are not confined to the past. They continue to shape how communities support one another and how individuals respond to challenges in everyday life.

Here in Newton Abbot, ANZAC Day also reminds us of the wider Commonwealth connection. Many families have links that stretch beyond the UK - through relatives who served, emigrated, or stood alongside Australian and New Zealand forces in times of conflict.

Remembrance, in this sense, is shared. It crosses borders and generations.

ANZAC Day is not only about history, but about participation. Whether attending a service, pausing in quiet reflection, or passing on family stories, each act helps ensure that the legacy of those who served continues to be remembered.

We invite members of our community to reflect on this shared history.