"It was incredibly emotional to see row upon row of burial places without names," Robyn Holmes said.

"I thought of my grandfather and all the other soldiers who went through so much horror and trauma as battle raged around them.

"We all know the Anzac story because it is such an important part of Australia's history, but nothing can prepare you for the reality of being there in person.

"The experience was terribly moving and disturbing but also hugely rewarding. It is something I will always remember."

Mrs Holmes travelled to the Gallipoli commemorative site with her cousin Veronica Musgrave to honour Aubrey Ernest Musgrave.

"Our grandfather's was one of the first troops to land at Anzac Cove," she said.

"He was a noted marksman who shot with deadly effect. He survived dreadful wounds that left him with a permanent limp and was fortunate to return to Australia."

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 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 was treated with such respect."

Mrs Holmes said she stayed awake for 39 hours to participate in the Gallipoli services.

Travelling from Assos by ferry and bus she experienced a huge feeling of anticipation.

"I was wearing my grandfather's medals," Mrs Holmes said.

"Veronica wore her medals her brother received in the Vietnam War.

"We were picked up from our hotel at 5pm and got to our seats at the commemorative site by 9pm."

Throughout the night the history of the Gallipoli campaign was portrayed on huge projection screens.

The story was told through the eyes of celebrated Australian war correspondent Charles Bean, rare black and white photos and film footage and interviews with the last surviving Gallipoli Anzacs.

Spotlights on the terrain pointed out key landmarks visible from the commemorative site and detailed events that occurred there.

"It was disturbing to learn that visitors to Gallipoli still occasionally find human remains," Mrs Holmes said.

"That really reinforced the full extent of a long military campaign that resulted in so much death and heartache.

"Watching the sun rise was a very special moment and the dawn service was all that we expected it to be.

"It was very similar to the dawn service in Dubbo."

After waiting for the huge crowd to disperse, Mrs Holmes and her cousin moved on to an 11am service at the Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial.

"Walking in the footsteps of the Anzacs was hugely significant and very sentimental for us," she said.

"We kept thinking about our grandfather and all the other Australian soldiers who really should not have been there."

It was midnight before Mrs Holmes got back to her hotel.

She was up at 5am for the next part of an 11-day tour of Turkey.

"We then moved onto the Greek Islands and Athens," Mrs Holmes said.

"In Athens there were many more unmarked Australian war graves. Local people care about the soldiers who died and grow flowers next to their graves."