Dubai: The sound of a lone bugler pierced the morning silence at the Burj Dubai on Saturday morning as hundreds of Australians and New Zealanders gathered to remember their countries' fallen army heroes.

A crowd of around 500 people, including a host of decorated army veterans, observed a two-minute silence at the Waterfront Promenade at Dubai Mall as part of this year's ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

The service, which began at 5am, honoured those members of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) who died while fighting at Gallipoli in Turkey during the First World War.

ANZAC Day also commemorates those soldiers who have lost their lives in military engagements elsewhere including the Korean and Vietnamese Wars and the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Kym Hewett, the Australian Consul General in Dubai, said: "In towns and cities across the world, Australians and New Zealanders are gathering to remember the sacrifices made by others.

"Before [the conflict at Gallipoli] we were colonials; after we were Australians and New Zealanders - proud, confident and independent. But we will never forget the courage and endurance of the ANZAC's, which shines like a beacon. In tribute to our allies, we also celebrate the heroism of the Turkish soldiers who died defending their homeland.

"The ANZAC legend continues to evolve with interaction across the world. The scale of the engagements varies but the currency remains the same; heroism and sacrifice."

Five wreaths were laid beneath the Australian, Turkish and New Zealand flags.

"ANZAC Day remains an extremely important and significant date ... we could finally be seen as nations in our right separate from the British Empire," said Janet Bryan, Vice-Chairman of the ANZA in the UAE.
Anniversary: Honouring heroes

ANZAC Day is marked in cities across the world every year on April 25. It was the day the ANZAC landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915; around 8,000 members of the ANZAC died during the eight months they were based there.

ANZAC Day was first commemorated in 1916 and is a public holiday in all Australian states. The first official dawn service was held at the Sydney Cenotaph in 1927.