On Sunday 23rd April a large congregation from far and wide joined together with members of the Australian and New Zealand military at the Annual Sutton Veny ANZAC Day Commemoration Service. Always held at St Johns Church on the Sunday nearest to ANZAC Day this is the resting place of a large number of ANZAC soldiers and nurses who died in the Great War.
Wreaths were laid after the service at the memorial next to the Commonwealth Graves. Present at the event were representatives of the West Country Branch of the Britain Australia Society and members of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Also in attendance were Simon Bendy from the Commonwealth Graves Commission, Major General Christopher Elliott, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ball from the Australian Army and Lieutenant Commander Maddy Win from the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Many of those who lie in rest here died of their wounds whilst other passed away in 1918 during an influenza epidemic. Five nurses are also buried on the site.
Afterwards the congregation returned to the church for a reception to further reflect on those who had died.