Today, the term 'Anzac spirit' evokes thoughts of stoicism, camaraderie and an unbreakable spirit. The legend of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) was born on the 25th of April, 1915, on a beach in Gallipoli. Nearly 100 years later, we still remember it, stopping each year to recognize how they contributed to the freedom we know today. In unbearable conditions, they fought not only the opposition, but also diseases, starvation and exhaustion. We remember the humanity and honour shown, not only to each other, but to their enemies as well, and the dutifulness they felt to their country, their loved ones, and their king.

Anzacs were known over both the western and eastern fronts for having 'mental toughness and a spirit that was hard to break.' They were stoic, they pushed forward, despite the knowledge that they were facing an almost certain death, showing incredible endurance. This was shown throughout the war, but one of the strongest examples was set when the 8th and 10th Lighthorse regiments charged the Nek. The Lighthorse, in four lines of around 150 men were to seize the Turkish frontline. The Turkish were prepared for this however, and had machine guns ready for fire. Many Anzacs were killed before they had fully left the trenches, and the line disappeared in less than five metres. Men watched their mates being mercilessly shot down, knowing that in minutes they would be in that same situation. Even after the realization that the attack was a failure, they didn’t give up. The third and fourth lines attacked with the same courage and determination that the first did.

During the years spent at war, fellow soldiers became your best mates, a second family. Many only survived the war because of the strong bonds they shared with friends. Men risked their own lives to come back and save their mates. Camaraderie was a main part of the war, and is something Anzacs are strongly remembered for today, with good reason. Oliver Cumberland wrote a letter to his sister Una, assuring her that should his brother Joe fall, while he had the strength to carry him to safety, he would. Oliver also was sure that if need be, Joe would do the same for him. One Anzac said "I'd rather be killed than leave them there to die", after he risked his life to rescue an injured mate from a battlefield in Gallipoli, dragging him back to the safety of the trenches. The friendship shown at Gallipoli still inspires many today.

Anzacs are commonly remembered for their larrikinism, and humor in life or death situations. However, they also showed extraordinary bravery, courage and initiative. On the 12th of October 1917, Clarence Smith Jeffries, a captain of the 34th Battalion, A.I.F, took part in the attack on Passchendaele, part of one of the battles of Ypres. He organized and led a small group of men in a charge attempting to seize a concrete pill box controlled by the Germans. They ran against heavy artillary and machine gun fire, and captured the pillbox. Later on, Jeffries also organized an attack, the purpose of which was to capture the enemies machine guns. Although this attack was successful, Jeffries lost his life.
Most Australians are familiar with the story of Simpson and his donkey, and the courage and bravery they represent. John Kirkpatrick Simpson made it part of his daily routine to save wounded men. Starting as early as 6:30 am, he would begin the one and a half mile journey up Shrapnel Gully in Gallipoli, and out onto Quinn's post, where he was often less than 15 yards away from opposing trenches. He would leave his donkey under cover, and go forward to collect the wounded. He would make this trip up to fifteen times a day, never flinching, even under the heaviest of shrapnel fire. John Simpson was killed doing his job, leading his donkey through heavy Turkish gunfire with a wounded soldier. Simpson is part of Anzac fokelore today, credited with saving hundreds of mens lives. These men's lives were saved because of Simpsons courageousness, his willingness to face death in order to help others. On his gravestone were the words 'He gave his life that others might live.'

Many nations had armies with a strong sense of honour, as did they Anzacs. Unlike others though, they had a strong sense of honour not only for each other, but for the opposition. On the 24th of May, the Turkish and the Anzacs called a ceasefire, to bury the dead. This demonstrated the honour they had for the dead, both allies and enemies, and the honour they had to their word. They agreed to have a ceasefire, and while this agreement lasted, not one shot was fired. However, what set the Anzacs aside, and made them truly stand out as wonderful people, was their cheerfullness and steadfastness that they faced grim, life or death situations with. They were known for their attitude, the resilliance they showed in the face of adversity. They were also known for their larrikinism, humor and their youthful outlook on life. While in the trenches, hand grenades were often thrown from side to side. Anzacs realized that if the wire was long enough, they could pick up the Turkish grenades and throw them right back again. This went on until the Turkish learnt to shorten the wires on grenades. One man who was at Gallipoli, Oliver Hogue, wrote in a letter to home "But what strikes me most forcibly is the extraordinary cheerfulness of our Australian soldiers. When wounded, they generally say, 'See you later chaps, I'm off for a holiday"'. Another man wrote in his diary "Shell after shell wizzed by us. The men who were knocked off their feet jumped up, laughing boisterously. This is something that was truly individual to the Anzacs.

There are many examples and stories that prove just how truly unique the Anzac spirit is. It is something that we look up to today, something that we pay the utmost respect to. The men who fought at Gallipoli, on the Western front, and in the middle east, among other places, all shared these characteristics. The loyalty, the friendship, and that same wonderful outlook on life we admire so much today.