Australia and New Zealand mark Anzac Trip to home
Thousands of men and women across Australia and New Zealand have stood outside their homes at dawn to mark Anzac Day, after households were urged to pay tribute even amid coronavirus lockdown.
The national day of remembrance is a hugely important event for both nations and crowds usually gather for services.
However we were holding cancelled last month amid wider restrictions on gatherings.
Instead persons were urged to hold a candle within their driveways and live stream services.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had acknowledged the disappointment in the ceremonies being cancelled for the first time in history.
"While we cannot gather in person, we interact spirit as we remember the service and sacrifice of New Zealanders in times of war and crisis," she said in a statement, and later joined New Zealanders in standing towards the end of her driveway.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended a closed dawn ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, which commenced at 06:00 and was broadcast nationally.
On Friday he previously told Australians: "I look forward to the entire nation, on the driveways, smoking cigarettes the dawn, remembering our heroes and drawing inspiration from them for the task and challenge we currently face."
A number of the alternative, home-bound tributes reported on Saturday included musicians playing the Last Post on brass instruments in suburbs, while others shared pictures of poppy wreaths online and baked Anzac cookies at home.
Australia's veterans group, the Returned Services League (RSL) also encouraged "diggers" - service men and women - to call each other in lieu of the normal marches and parades.
The two nation's joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli in Turkey are traditionally a pilgrimage for most citizens, but they were also cancelled after travel bans were earned.
