A retired Royal Australian Navy captain from Canberra who in 1938 attended the funeral of the founder of modern Turkey - Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - this morning joined the Turkish community to honour the 73rd anniversary of his death.
Graham Wright, 91, of Yarralumla, was a midshipman with the Royal Australian Navy when he attended the funeral on November 21, 1938, for a man regarded as a hero to the Turkish people for his wide-sweeping reforms.
A ceremony was held this morning - the anniversary of Ataturk's death - at the Kemal Atatrk Memorial on Anzac Parade.
It was attended by the Turkish Ambassador to Australia Oguz Ozge and members of the local Turkish community from Canberra and Sydney.
The ceremony came a day before Remembrance Day, with sounds of the rehearsal for tomorrow's event at the Australian War Memorial drifting across to the park named in Ataturk's honour.
The Australian War Memorial says Ataturk ''returned to Gallipoli in 1915 as commander of the 19th Division, the main reserve of the Turkish Fifth Army, and was thus on hand to oppose the ANZAC landing in April''.
''His superb grasp of strategy and ability to inspire his troops by his reckless bravery in action boosted Turkish morale and proved decisive in thwarting allied plans,'' it says.
Turkey became a republic in 1923 and Kemal was the first president.
''During his 15-year rule, many sweeping changes were introduced to the political, legal and socioeconomic fields. He was an immortal hero to his people and an extraordinary leader and peacemaker,'' the memorial says.
In 1934 Atatrk wrote a tribute to the ANZACs killed at Gallipoli:
''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 they lie side by side now here in this country of ours ... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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.''
This inscription appears on the Kemal Atatrk Memorial on Anzac Parade.
Mr Wright attended the state funeral for Ataturk in the Turkish capital on November 21, 1938, as part of an international contingent recognising modern Turkey as friend, not foe.
Mr Wright still has his midshipman's journal from that time, recording the funeral in precise, neat handwriting in ink.
On ''November 21, Monday'' in 1938, he writes in the journal about his detachment's representation at the funeral when Atatrk's body was taken to the Ethnography Museum of Ankara.
Mr Wright's journal reads:
''Shortly before 8 o'clock the Royal Naval detachment was fallen in outside the institute and marched into the city. The majority of the representative parties were already in position when we arrived but nevertheless there ensued a long wait before the arrival of the Turkish artillery which was to lead the procession.
''At 1000 the foreign detachments moved off at the quick in alphabetical order in Turkish. Still at the quick, we marched past the coffin, coming to a halt about a mile further on.
''After a short interval, the entire cortege moved off in slow time, our detachment being alone in marching with arms reversed.
''On reaching the museum, where the body is to be preserved until the building of a mausoleum has been completed, the detachment halted in succession at the side of the street facing towards the centre.
''As the coffin, carried on a gun carriage drawn by Turkish soldiers, passed we rested on arms reversed, an action I'm sure endeared us to the hearts of all present.
''Other factors, too, contributed to the outstanding success of this British venture. Field Marshal Lord Birdwood, who through illness was unable to march, was present on the balcony facing the museum and the paying of his last tribute to a former foe man was greatly appreciated by the Turkish people.
''A small action such as the British Government is making at this time may have far-reaching effects in the future in promoting Anglo-Turkish relationships.
''By 12.30, our part in the impressive ceremony concluded, allowing us to return to our quarters. It was originally intended that we should return to Istanbul today but owing to the inability of Lord Birdwood to be present at the reception being held tomorrow by the new president, Commander in Chief took his place as the representative of the British Empire.
''Consequently, this served to delay our return until such time as this event should be concluded.''
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