Most Australians thought the war would be over quickly and that soldiering would be a chance to see the world and make England proud of her colony. The cruel reality of the war was brought home by soldiers who wrote about their experiences.

The legend of Anzac was born on 25 April 1915, and was reaffirmed in eight months' fighting on Gallipoli. Although there was no military victory, the Australians displayed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mateship. Such qualities came to be seen as the Anzac spirit.