Born ten decades earlier and it would have been us. Us referring to the Battlers and all our mates. One kid was only 14 but the majority were early to mid twenties. I think that’s what was the most eye opening part. That these men, these kids, really didn’t know what they were getting themselves into until the first ANZAC, a Queenslander, jumped off the boat into ankle deep water in Anzac Cove. There was no turning back and even if there was, they still would have fought for us.

The past few years, on the 25th of April, I’ve wanted to go and visit the Gallipoli peninsula to better appreciate exactly what the ANZACS went through. Never did I think in my life I would be privileged enough to visit at such a young age.

Eddie and I got a five hour bus from Istanbul with a tour company called TJ’s Tours, to Eceabat. We had been recommended that we should go with TJ’s Tours by some New Zealand people we were talking to in Greece who had been. Get off the bus to be welcomed by a Turk who looked suspiciously like and sounded like an abo, wearing jeans and a green Victoria Bitter polo shirt. The bloke deadset looked that Aussie it was ridiculous that he claimed he was a Turk. Had a feed in Eceabat and headed off towards the battlefield.

On the way, we made a quick detour to some old woman’s house with a room with old sea mines, soldier artillery, badges, uniforms, along with loads of other bits and bobs. TJ was a real informative bloke and it was at this museum he showed us a map of the Gallipoli peninsula and dropped several facts neither Eddie not I knew. They are as follows: Gallipoli is actually 40km north of where the ANZACS fought the Turks; the British side was referred to as the ‘allie’ side and the German side was referred to as the ‘central power side’; control of the Dardanelles Strait by the allies would mean a direct route to Russia; the Dardanelles is only 60m deep and just over one kilometre wide; Winston Chruchill sent ships through the Dardanelles to attack Istanbul to protect Russia from the central power side; plan was to land in Brighton Beach but the ANZACS ended up landing a bit further north where they were to cross the peninsula over to the Dardanelles to gain the upper hand (12km from one side to the other); Gallipoli campaign lasted nine months.

We visited Anzac Cove where the memorial service is held every year. I always had the impression that it was on top of a massive cliff but it isn’t actually as high as I had imagine. Went around the corner to see the first of many cemeteries where those men, kids, who’s bodies were found were buried. Before 2000, this is where the memorial ceremony was held but it wasn’t big enough and all the graves and flowers were being destroyed from the large amounts of people. In front of this graveyard is where the first soldier, the Queenslander, set foot on unbelievably difficult terrain. Was really sad seeing the grave stones of kids who’s parents leave them with final words engraved.

Moved on around Anzac Cove to realise just how tough the terrain was that the ANZACS had to deal with. Ten metre high walls of dirt, mud and shrubs whilst being shot at. The more athletic soldiers sprinted up the cliff with a well prepared Turkish frontline firing away from vantage points on top of the cliffs. These ANZACS that made it to the top to try and get a bit more of a chance to stop the massacre of Anzacs not standing a chance as they jumped onto the Turkish sand.

From there we saw another cemetery, this one with the grave of John Simpson, the ‘donkey man’. It was Simpson who saved soldiers’ lives by walking a donkey through the battlefield, picking up the wounded and taking them down shrapnel valley back to the beach. He wasn’t the only one to do this, and it is reported that there were many men who did the same as Simpson, he just happens to be famous for it. He died on the 18th May after his luck struck out dodging the bullets.

The Battlers saw different vantage points, tunnels and trenches as well as the Turkish memorial sites and cemeteries.

Lone Pine was on the agenda, the most recognised cemetery on the Gallipoli peninsula. It is called Lone Pine due to the single pine tree left standing after the battles stopped at the end of nine months. Most of the other trees were cut down by soldiers for firewood in winter. TJ, the bloody sneaky bugger, had a key to the building in Lone Pine that is rarely open. On the anniversary of the landing of the ANZACS, people supposedly wait in masses outside to get a glimpse inside. Walked around the graves and saw all the grave stones. Doesn’t matter how many you read, the devastation that tears through your heart stays at its peak since the minute we hit the battlefield.

TJ took us back to Eceabat after the tour was over and we headed back on the shuttle to Istanbul.

I have a load of respect for TJ as the bloke is obviously so passionate about the history of what happened between the Turks and ANZACS. He takes great pride in his work and I admire that. I took some phenomenal shots and look forward to seeing them on a bigger screen. I’d recommend anyone who wants to see Gallipoli to go with TJ.

I was expecting to get teary during my visit to Gallipoli as I usually shed a tear on Anzac day however I didn’t. I think I was taken in by it all so much that I didn’t have a chance to properly let it all sink in. Reading the grave stones, Eddie admitted to me that his eye ducts started to sweat a little as a result of reading the engravings.

I have the upmost admiration for those who fought in war, particularly Gallipoli. To know that if I was born a few decades earlier, it would have been me fighting there and after looking and hearing about the conditions, there is no way I would have lasted like some of those soldiers did. This is why they have my full respect.

I’m appreciative that I’ve been able to visit such a place at such a young age and it’s definitely something I will never forget. Rest in peace ANZACSj