Now, forty-five years later, I can identify that special quality as ‘service with a smile’. My most vivid memory of that flight was a tiny handbook that I found in the pocket of the seat in front of me. I believe it had been published by the Mayor’s Office. It described Çanakkale with a chapter about the mythological aspects of the Trojan wars on the one hand and a chapter on heroes of World War One on the other.

I toured the Gallipoli Peninsula, one of the most important landmarks in the history of Turkish independence and our biggest national history park. I saw all the important sites: Kilitbahir, Anafartalar, Conkbayiri, Ariburnu, Kabatepe, Alçitepe and Kemalyeri.

I also saw a number of Anzac tourists who were eager to learn about their ancestors’ experiences at Gallipoli. A mixture of happiness mingled with excitement and just pride was evident on all their faces.