![Gypsy O'Dea (left), granddaughter of late Australian second world war veteran and former prisoner of war Neil Macpherson, is consoled by a member of Australia's Defense Forces at the Hellfire Pass section of the Thai-Burma railway in Thailand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/25/03/12688916-6957553-image-a-212_1556159576622.jpg)
Hundreds of thousands of Australians remembered those who paid the ultimate price while defending their country during the annual Anzac Day commemorations.
Held each year on April 25, Anzac Day is a time for those enjoying the freedoms of living in Australia to think about those who fought and died in wars across the world. Powerful pictures from this year's commemorations included a re-enactment of a burial at sea, a traditional Maori greeting shared by Prince William and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and tearful veterans taking a moment to acknowledge the mates they had lost. Elephant Rock on the Gold Coast was illuminated in vivid red hues during dawn service at Currumbin Beach, while the perpetual flame at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance burned as people gathered to pay their respects. Heavily-armed police officers guarded ceremonies throughout Australia and New Zealand, alert for any possible signs of terrorism in the wake of the devastating Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which killed more than 300 people. Snipers were seen perched on roofs, poised and ready to fire in case of any disturbance.
Held each year on April 25, Anzac Day is a time for those enjoying the freedoms of living in Australia to think about those who fought and died in wars across the world. Powerful pictures from this year's commemorations included a re-enactment of a burial at sea, a traditional Maori greeting shared by Prince William and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and tearful veterans taking a moment to acknowledge the mates they had lost. Elephant Rock on the Gold Coast was illuminated in vivid red hues during dawn service at Currumbin Beach, while the perpetual flame at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance burned as people gathered to pay their respects. Heavily-armed police officers guarded ceremonies throughout Australia and New Zealand, alert for any possible signs of terrorism in the wake of the devastating Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which killed more than 300 people. Snipers were seen perched on roofs, poised and ready to fire in case of any disturbance.
![A member of the 324 Squadron during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Coogee Beach](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/25/03/12688358-6957553-A_member_of_the_324_Squadron_during_the_Anzac_Day_Dawn_Service_a-a-104_1556159136012.jpg)
![Australian Second World War veteran and former prisoner of war, 102-year-old Harold Martin (centre) arrives for the Anzac Day war memorial service at Hellfire Pass](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/25/03/12688918-6957553-image-a-229_1556159759361.jpg)
![In memory of the Australian Army Veterinary Corp (AAVC), Chris Kennedy and his horse Chaos (left) and Damon Hughes and horse Maverick are seen at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/25/03/12688436-6957553-In_memory_of_the_Australian_Army_Veterinary_Corp_AAVC_Chris_Kenn-a-98_1556159135852.jpg)
![A member of Australia's defense forces pays her respects to those who died at the Hellfire Pass section of the Thai-Burma railway in Thailand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/25/03/12688920-6957553-image-a-227_1556159753925.jpg)
![Veterans, descendants of veterans, members of the Armed Services, military bands and school children take part in the Anzac Day march in Sydney](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/25/03/12688290-6957553-Veterans_descendants_of_veterans_members_of_the_Armed_Services_m-a-105_1556159136013.jpg)