Villers–Bretonneux Australian National Memorial
(Photograph: Karen Ette)
Anzac Day is observed on 25 April each year in remembrance of all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution, and suffering of all those who have served.
It first began to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World Ward, when, at dawn on 25 April 1915, troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in Ottoman Turkey.
There were 28,150 Australian casualties (8,701 died, 19,441 wounded) and 7,991 New Zealand casualties (2,779 died, 5212 wounded).
Add in the figures from other countries, there were 130,842 deaths and 262,014 wounded, totalling 392,856 casualties. (New Zealand History)
To raise funds for the War effort, ANZAC biscuits, often called Soldiers' Biscuits, were sold at fetes, galas and other public events.
They remain a popular snack in Australia, especially on ANZAC Day and are really easy to make – nutritious and delicious.
Why not give them a go?
ANZAC BISCUITS
You need to heat your oven to 350°F, 180°C, 160°C Fan, Gas 4 and line two baking sheets with greaseproof paper.
INGREDIENTS (Makes 20-24 biscuits.)
3oz/85g porridge oats
3oz/85g desiccated coconut
3.5oz/100g plain flour
3.5oz/100g sugar (any)
3.5oz/100g butter
1 tablespoon of golden syrup
1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons of boiling water
* If you don't have, or don't like, coconut, you can use more oats with crushed cornflakes instead, as long as the amount totals 6oz/170g.
METHOD
- Put the oats, coconut, flour and sugar into a large bowl and mix them together, making a well in the centre.
- In a small pan, melt the butter with the golden syrup.
- Add the bicarb to the 2 tablespoons of boiling water and quickly add it to the butter and syrup.
- Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and gently mix well.
- Place dessertspoonfuls of the mixture onto the lined baking sheets – about 1 inch/2.5 cms apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
ENJOY!
To read a little more about what happened on 25 April 1917 ANZAC Day, pop over to, Battlefields and Beyond.
