New Zealand troops based in Afghanistan remembered two comrades killed in that country in the past year as they celebrated Anzac Day yesterday.
It was the 96th anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers at Gallipoli, Turkey, and troops in Afghanistan started their commemorations when the sun rose at 4.30am, Lieutenant-colonel Hugh McAslan said.
The service at Kiwi Base in the Bamyan province included the laying of a wreath, the playing of the Last Post and the singing of the national anthem, he said.
"Today, the guys are in very good spirits.
"For the guys ... it was an opportunity to reflect and think about home and, in particular, remember the two Kiwis who lost their lives up here in the provincial reconstruction team in the last nine months," Lt-col McAslan said.
Private Kirifi Mila died when the army Humvee in which he was travelling left a road in Bamyan province and plunged 30m down a hill in February. Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell was killed when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb last August.
The day was traditionally a holiday back home in New Zealand but work continued as normal for the troops in Afghanistan.
"It'll be a long day and we won't be doing any normal type of celebrations that normally occur in New Zealand," Lt-col McAslan said.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant-general Rhys Jones, represented the Defence Force at services at Gallipoli.
The service was also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.
About 4000 people, including many New Zealanders, attended the service.
A memorial for New Zealand soldiers who died at nearby Chunuk Bair was also held.
Also commemorating the day overseas was Prime Minister John Key, who joined residents of Le Quesnoy in France in their annual celebrations before heading for London.
Le Quesnoy Mayor Paul Roault recalled the heroic action taken by New Zealand soldiers in the last days of World War 1, in November 1918, to relieve the town of German occupation.
Mr Key said the story of how the riflemen of the New Zealand infantry courageously mounted the fortified walls of the town was "a story worth retelling".
"Being united in honouring our forebears who fought for us was deeply moving," Mr Key said.
