<P> The date 25 April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916 ; in that year it was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia and New Zealand , including a commemorative march through London involving Australian and New Zealand troops . In New Zealand it was gazetted as a half - day holiday . Australian Great War battalion and brigade war diaries show that on this first anniversary , units including those on the front line , made efforts to solemnise the memory of those who were killed this day twelve months previously . A common format found in the war diaries by Australian and New Zealand soldiers for the day commenced with a dawn requiem mass , followed mid-morning with a commemorative service , and after lunch organised sports activities with the proceeds of any gambling going to Battalion funds . This occurred in Egypt as well . </P>
<P> The date 25 April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916 ; in that year it was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia and New Zealand , including a commemorative march through London involving Australian and New Zealand troops . In New Zealand it was gazetted as a half - day holiday . Australian Great War battalion and brigade war diaries show that on this first anniversary , units including those on the front line , made efforts to solemnise the memory of those who were killed this day twelve months previously . A common format found in the war diaries by Australian and New Zealand soldiers for the day commenced with a dawn requiem mass , followed mid-morning with a commemorative service , and after lunch organised sports activities with the proceeds of any gambling going to Battalion funds . This occurred in Egypt as well . </P>
where was the first anzac day service held
where was the first anzac day service held
1916
1916