Preparing to step foot on the shores of Gallipoli, Australian forces faced their fears and quelled their sickness.
"Those of us who have not worn the shoes of those men will never understand or know the fear, anticipation or sickness felt in the pit of the stomach of sailors, soldiers, airmen and women about to put themselves into danger for their country," Captain Angela Bond said as she gave the dawn service address at Perth's Kings Park.
Marking 100 years of Australian submariners, Captain Bond, commander of HMAS Stirling, recounted the story of the AE2, an E-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the Dardanelles campaign.
She said Anzac Day continued to be a day to remember all Australians who served their country in wars and as peace keepers.
In a first this year, the RSL WA held daily Last Post ceremonies at Kings Park's State War Memorial all week in a bid to cap ever-swelling crowds on the public holiday.
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But an estimated crowd of more than 40,000 people still gathered at Kings Park for the dawn service, as well as massive crowds at other ceremonies around the state, including Albany and Fremantle.
Linda Graham, who grew up in Perth but now lives in Sydney, made the journey back to the west because she wanted to witness a dawn service at Kings Park.
"I remember coming here as a child and I always wanted to attend a dawn service here," she told AAP.
Ms Graham grew up near a RAAF base and said she used to watch the planes flying above her.
Simon Bell, who has served in Australia's defence forces, said it was important for him to honour his mates who had died.
"It's important to remember those who have fallen," he told AAP.
Kristina Petkovic said she and her family had camped out since 9pm the night before.
