She was one of 8000 Australians to secure a position in a national ballot be part of the official ceremony on the peninsula where Anzac troops demonstrated so much bravery and determination.

Raised by an Anzac, Mrs Holmes has attended services on April 25 all her life.

"Anzac Day has always been very special for us," she said.

"Each year we honour family members who served in WWI, WWII and Vietnam.

"Travelling to Turkey for the centenary celebrations is a wonderful opportunity."

Mrs Holmes' grandfather Ernest Musgrave was among the first troops to land at Anzac Cove.

A noted marksman, he shot with deadly effect, survived wounds that left him with a permanent limp and was fortunate enough to return to Australia.

"My grandfather never spoke about the war but our family has always appreciated the enormous role Australian forces played fighting for their country," Mrs Holmes said.

"I've always wanted to visit Gallipoli. My cousin Veronica Musgrave of Sydney submitted our names half-an-hour before the close of the Australian government 100th anniversary Anzac ballot.

"It was staggering when we were successful. It must have been meant to be."

Mrs Holmes will travel to Gallipoli with her granddaughter Elish.

Their trip will include a 10-day tour of Turkey and sightseeing in the Greek Islands.

On the eve of the Anzac commemoration Mrs Holmes and her cousin will be picked up by ferry about midnight.

"We will be taken to a certain area on the Gallipoli peninsula before moving into the ceremony site," she said.

"Walking in the footsteps of the Anzacs will be hugely significant and very sentimental for us. We expect the service will be very emotional.

"There is so much about Gallipoli on television at the moment and some of it has been impossible for me to watch because of the graphic content.

"It is upsetting to think about what happened to the Anzac troops. They really should not have been there. Their experiences must have been horrific, particularly as they were sent back into the fighting time and time again.

"So many soldiers died on the battlefield. Some families lost three or four boys."

Aubrey Musgrave was a 26-year-old motor mechanic when he enlisted in the AIF.

"He was one of the first volunteers and had 173 as his regimental number," Mrs Holmes said.

"Prior to the outbreak of WWI he had been in the militia at Bathurst and was awarded a number of marksman awards at military competitions.

"A pre-war photograph shows a handsome young man with 20 medals pinned on his uniform.

"He became a sharp shooter at Gallipoli and was wounded in action on a number of occasions."

On August 27, 1915 acting Company Sergeant Major Aubrey Musgrave was part of a 350 man detachment from the 4th infantry brigade on the right flank of an attack on Hill 60.

In the centre were 300 New Zealanders from the Mounted Rifles with 100 of the Australian 18th battalion. On the left were 250 men of the 5th British Connaught Rangers.

Military historians described the right flank attack as a disaster. Two-thirds of the men and all except one officer were killed or wounded. Aubrey Musgrave was among the few survivors who managed to crawl back to the Australian trenches.

He was evacuated off Gallipoli and spent several months in the Middle East recuperating from his wounds.

Aubrey was discharged on May 8, 1916 in the unique category of being an original wounded Anzac.

On his return to Australia he was appointed a state recruiting officer for the army, air force and navy working in Bathurst and later Wellington.

"I remember all the young men who came to our house," Mrs Holmes said.

"They looked up to my grandfather. He was regarded as a fine gentleman and a gallant soldier.

"I think he would be surprised but pleased to know that the centenary of the Anzac landing is being treated with such respect."