The cemetery is home to over 330 Cambridge-based ANZAC airmen from WW2, as well as victims of Gallipoli in WW1.Group Captain Virlan was flanked by this year's guest of honour, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon (pictured), as well as senior Australian and New Zealand serving officers. Sir Michael told those attending that Gallipoli/Canakkale had become an outstanding example of mutual respect between enemies eventually triumphing over war , and that "jaw,jaw" is always better than "war ,war."Underlining Sir Michael's point, Group Captain Virlan told his audience : "I would like to quote a few words from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , founder of the Republic of Turkiye, about Canakkale:' Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives , You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where the lie side-by-side, here in this country of ours.You, the mothers who sent their sons from far-away countries, wipe away your tears: your sons are now lying in our bosom, and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.'
Turkey's UK Air Attache, Group Captain Serkan Virlan said: "Dear Guests: we are gathered here in front of the fallen, to remember them and pay our gratitude for their sacrifices. We shall remember them not only to recognise their sacrifice but also to remind ourselves and teach our children how horrible wars are. Most unfortunate human history is written with conflicts and human losses.
' Speaking of history, we are here to commemorate the soldiers who fell 107 years ago in Canakkale, Turkiye, where the soil was washed with the blood of nearly 500,000 men, On the other hand, miraculously a most extraordinary relationship between nations fighting against each other occurred - a relationship based on honourable behaviour and mutual recognition of heroism by both sides. "
"That I assume is why we, the grand, grand children of the fallen are here standing, side by side, commemorating them now, and I am sure will be for years to come."
"I would like to quote a few words from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , founder of the Republic of Turkiye, about Canakkale:' Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives , You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where the lie side-by-side, here in this country of ours.You, the mothers who sent their sons from far-away countries, wipe away your tears: your sons are now lying in our bosom, and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.'
"Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is an immortal hero to the Turkish nation, and an extraordinary leader and peacemaker recognised by the whole world.Having been in wars nearly all his life, he was never in favour of armed conflicts, describing his feelings with these words: 'I look to the world with an open heart, full of pure feelings and friendship.' "
"This date, April 23rd, also carries another significance: on this day in 1920, the first Grand National Assembly of Turkiye was founded, and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was its first elected President. Knowing that children are our future, this date was also declared "National Sovereignty and Children's Day."
"If I may observe, my family and yours, the grand, grand children of those who fell 107 years ago in Canakkale, standing side-by-side here, make me feel that that was part of the grand plan, getting the next generations together to create a better world."
"I would like to end my words with another quotation from Ataturk :"Peace at home, Peace in the world". Thank you for giving me the honour to address this distinguished gathering on this very special occasion."
Air Attaché's speech ends.
Turkey's UK Air Attache, Group Captain Serkan Virlan, saluted Anzac and Turkish dead from two World Wars at Cambridge Cemetery (Sat April 23) to commemorate ANZAC Day this year. (photocredit (photo supplied gratis) - Carl Booty
Turkish Embassy London: Ambassador Yalçın, on the occasion of ANZAC Day, attended ceremonies at St. Paul's, Cenotaph and Westminster Abbey, and recited Atatürk's words to the mothers of ANZAC soldiers who fell in Gallipoli.