The British Prime Minister’s spokesman announced today that any suggestions the UK would favour commemorating the “New Commonwealth” contribution during the First World War over Australia are “completely wrong”.
The statement came a day after Australia’s The Daily Telegraph published an article in which it claimed Britain’s Centenary plans may “downplay” Australia’s role during the First World War in favour of highlighting the contribution of the “New Commonwealth” – countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Asked if the Prime Minister thought that the current plans for commemorations pay “sufficient respect” to Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said that the idea Centenary plans were not respecting the sacrifice made by any Commonwealth troops was “completely wrong”.
The spokesman drew attention to events in April 2015, which would see a major commemoration of the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and that the government was working closely with the Australian and New Zealand governments on those plans.
Source: 10 Downing Street Press Office
Date of publication: 10/01/2014
Images courtesy of the Ministry Of Defence
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News