Photos by Pesi Fonua and Peter Poulsen

Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the seafront cenotaph in Nuku'alofa today, April 25, a public holiday in Tonga.

ANZAC Day commemorates servicemen and women from Tonga, Australia and New Zealand who fought and died in the interests of world peace.

While Gallipoli was the first major combat role for Australian and New Zealand forces in the First World War, this year marks the 100th anniversary of their service on the Western Front (France and Belgium) in the Battle of the Somme, with the support of Pacific Island nations, including Tonga. It was on the Western Front that Anzac forces made the greatest contribution to the First World War. 

"For Tongans, New Zealanders and Australians, 25 April has become a day of national reflection, as we pause to remember and honour men and women who have served and sacrificed in war, conflicts and peace operations. It is a time to remember those who returned and those who did not and also reflect on the impact their service had on those who remained at home," stated the New Zealand High Commission.

Captain Sila Siufanga, Regional Commander of the Salvation Army, was the Officiating Minister at this year’s Dawn Service, which was attended by over 100 people, including government officials, the Ambassadors of China, Japan, the HIgh Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand and local representatives of the governments of Finland, Netherlands, and Korea, along with representatives of the armed forces and police forces of Australia, and New Zealand, and others.