Turks in UK commemorate Turkey’s fallen soldiers

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - Turks living in the U.K. gathered Saturday in the southern coastal town of Gosport to commemorate Turkey’s fallen soldiers on Martyrs’ Day.

More than 200 people were at the Turkish Naval Cemetery, where 26 naval officers and soldiers were laid to rest in the 19th century.

On March 18, the anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory against Allied forces in 1915, Turkey commemorates its martyrs from the Ottoman era and two world wars, as well as those who lost their lives in security operations and terrorist attacks.

The ceremony started with a minute of silence, followed by Turkey’s national anthem.

In attendance were Turkey’s Ambassador to the U.K. Abdurrahman Bilgic, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ambassador Zehra Basaran, Gosport Borough Council member Lynn Hook, and Turkish military and community representatives.

Underlining the heroism of Turkey’s martyrs not only in past wars, but also during last year’s failed military coup, Bilgic spoke of the significance of the Canakkale victory.

“The spirit of Canakkale not only united the country’s sons from across all corners of Anatolia” but also turned many individuals from different backgrounds into heroes, said Bilgic.

The Mirat-i Zafer, a frigate, and Sirag-i Bahri, an Ottoman battleship, visited Portsmouth in 1850 for training purposes but 26 of their crew lost perished due to epidemics and other factors.

The ceremony ended with prayers.