Rosemary for Remembrance: Anzac Day at the University Church

I was honoured to attend this year’s Anzac Day memorial service at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford—a deeply moving occasion that brought together Australians, New Zealanders, and others to remember those who served and sacrificed in times of war.

Anzac Day has always held special meaning for me, not only because of my Australian roots but also because of the values it evokes: courage, mateship, endurance, and sacrifice. It was poignant to see rosemary worn by many—an emblem of remembrance in Australia, long associated with Anzac Day, and said to grow wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

The service itself was beautiful in its simplicity and resonance. Prayers and readings reminded us of the pain of loss and the enduring hope for peace. And we sang three National Anthems, the UK's, Australia's and New Zealand's.

Standing beneath the high, vaulted arches of the University Church, I was struck by the sense of interwoven history: a building that has seen centuries of change, hosting a ceremony rooted in the events of a century past, yet heartbreakingly relevant still today. War memorials do not glorify conflict—they invite us to remember, to grieve, and to recommit ourselves to peace.

It was especially meaningful to gather with students, clergy, diplomats, members of the armed forces, and members of the public—many with personal ties to Australia and New Zealand. As we laid wreaths and bowed our heads for the Last Post, I felt both the weight of history and the responsibility we all share in ensuring such sacrifices are never forgotten.

Lest we forget.