As the sun rose over the Gallipoli Peninsula, VADM Barrett reflected on the sacrifices of all Australian service personnel who have served the nation, and those who continue to serve today.

It was certainly a long way from his home at Jervis Bay and his proud Nowra roots, with VADM Barrett the senior Australian Defence Force representative at the Anzac Day commemorations in Turkey.

He was among dignitaries from around the world, and had the special duty of making the 'call to remembrance' which positions the conflict on those shores in the national identities of both Australia and New Zealand.

"While these men created a legend, it was one created at great cost, with great loss," he recited.

"We should remember them as they were, to honour their spirits which are still among us at this place, where their bones still lie in this quiet soil."

Chief of Navy said many would look to more recent conflicts as examples of service and sacrifice, such as the heavy naval losses during battles against the Japanese in the Second World War.

“This year holds special significance as it’s the 75th anniversary of the darkest year in the history of the Royal Australian Navy,” VADM Barrett said.

By the end of 1942, HMA Ships Perth, Yarra, Kuttabul, Canberra, Vampire, Voyager, Nestor and Armidale, together with more than 600 sailors, had all joined the growing list of wartime losses in a year during which there was little to celebrate.

On the homefront, Australian men and women were in full force supporting the war effort abroad.

In 1942, men and women at home worked as never before to build new warships and aircraft.

Times may have moved on but today’s navy is embarking on its biggest ship building program ever, with the engagement of Australian industry to build a fleet of new destroyers, frigates and submarines.

VADM Barrett's duty also included reciting the Ode of Remembrance and as the Last Post echoed across Anzac Cove.

Approximately 2350 Australian Defence Force members were marking their own pages in the Australian military narrative, deployed on operations across the globe.

Vice Admiral Barrett was joined by members of Australia’s Federation Guard who provided the catafalque party for the dawn service and the Air Force Band supporting both the service at dawn and another at the Lone Pine Cemetery.

Gallipoli hosts one of many commemorative services held around the world each year. For navy, one of the most significant was that onboard HMAS Arunta, currently on operations in the Middle East.