The Battle of Lone Pine was more a "vicious armed brawl" than an example of modern war, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has told a centenary service to mark the bloody conflict.
Hundreds of people bore sweltering heat on the Gallipoli Peninsula on Thursday to attend the service on a battleground where around 800 Australians died and seven Victoria Crosses were won.
Three living VC winners also attended along with the parents of VC winner Corporal Cameron Baird who died in Afghanistan in 2013.
Sir Peter told the service that the Anzacs of Lone Pine would recognise and applaud the "sleeves rolled up" attitude of Australian communities in the aftermath of tragedies.
"They would say, 'that's what we believe in, that's what we'd hoped for'."
