The island’s Australian and New Zealand communities joined together at dawn yesterday to mark Anzac Day in Bermuda.

This year’s sunrise service, which was also attended by dignitaries and members of the America’s Cup teams, was held in front of the First World War Memorial Monument in Victoria Park.

About 80 people, including 12 children, from several different countries gathered to remember Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who served and died in battle.

The memorial event was also attended by Governor John Rankin, Deputy Governor Ginny Ferson, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Home Affairs, and Regiment Commanding Officer David Curley, many of whom laid wreaths at the memorial under the national flags of Australia, New Zealand and the Union Jack.

Australian Jane Chapman, who organised the dawn service, said: “This year Victoria Park was chosen for the wartime and commemorative links that can be seen here: the Bermudian First World War Memorial and its elegant bandstand like the ones so often seen in Australian and New Zealand towns — one was erected in Christchurch.

“The red-coloured flowerbeds in the park could resemble a carpet of poppies in Flanders Fields in Belgium, of which the centenary of the Flanders offensive is a theme of the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs commemoration this year.”

Anzac Day messages from the Governor-Generals and Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand were read out by volunteers during the service and the poem In Flanders Fields was read to conclude the service.

During his address, Mr Rankin spoke of the importance of marking Anzac Day and welcomed members of the America’s Cup teams who were present.

“It’s important to remember all Australian and New Zealanders who have served and suffered and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world and also to honour the sacrifice that was made and that continues to be made by men and women in keeping safe the freedoms which we enjoy today,” he said.

Three different types of poppy were also available at yesterday’s service: New Zealand, Australian and Bermudian.

Organisers thanked the Bermuda Legion for its support of the service.