DESCENDANTS of those who fought in the Gallipoli campaign are being invited to take part in a special ceremony to mark the centenary of the landings.

The ceremony, which has been organised in conjunction with the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions, will be held at the Cenotaph in London on Saturday April 25.

Government officials say that descendants of those who served will play a key part in the event, and will be invited to take part in a march led by military personnel past the Cenotaph, or watch the proceedings from a reserved seating area.

The Bury-based Lancashire Fusiliers famously won six Victoria Crosses before breakfast at Gallipoli, and a march is held every year in Bury to commemorate the landings.

Major Cuthbert Bromley, Corporal John Grimshaw, Lance Corporal William Kenealy, Sergeant Alfred Richards, Sergeant Frank Stubbs and Captain Richard Willis all received the military's highest honour for their actions during the landings of April 1915.

In addition, 11 officers and 350 men of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers were killed or wounded as they attacked the heavily fortified beach.

The six medals are set to be displayed together for the first time in 100 years at the Fusilier Museum in April, for an exhibition to mark the milestone.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: "The Gallipoli Campaign fought on the Turkish peninsula saw considerable losses for Britain, her allies, and the Turks.

"It is only right that on the centenary of this event we commemorate not only those from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps but all those who fought and died and remember their sacrifice, both at the site of the conflict and in London.

"I hope as many descendants as possible — of whatever nationality — are able to attend to remember their loved ones, along with members of the public who also wish to join with us as we pay our respects."

Application forms to attend the event should be submitted by February 20 to gallipoli.marchers@culture.gov.uk

Forms can be accessed by visiting tinyurl.com/gallipolitickets2