Anzac Centenary: Ruby will remember her dad Signalman Albert Thompson

Around this time, at a forlorn camp environment in the eastern part of the country, Mrs Edwards’ nephew John Thomson will be paying a special tribute to man who performed a unique mission on the historic Australian submarine AE2.

That man was her father, Leading Signalman Albert “Bunts” Thomson, who was ordered to send a message to the British Admiralty with news that they had penetrated a Turkish minefield and were in the Sea of Marmara.

And this year John Thomson will visit several sites in Turkey where his grandfather was held ­prisoner.

He will lay a plaque and some flowers, commemorating his grandfather’s role in World War 1.

“This is wonderful news to me – to think John will be where my father was held prisoner for nearly four years,” Mrs Edwards said.

“I don’t remember much about my dad but I will be thinking about him a lot – and about John Thomson – on this very special day.”

Mr Thomson said: “I have managed to track down the sites of three camps where my grandfather was a prisoner of war.

“I don’t know much about his ordeal there, but I do know he managed to escape twice.

“But he and some fellow escapees had a major problem: they could not speak Turkish and were in such a remote part of the country that they could not get far.

“They had no alternative on these occasions but to return to the camps. What else could they do?

“Those places were no holiday camps – particularly when they had a German commandant,” Mr Thomson said.

“When these were replaced by Turkish commandants, conditions did seem to improve and they were treated better.

“So I will be visiting these camps and will lay a plaque to commemorate his ordeal and those of his companions.”

Don't forget to pick up a copy of Thursday's Mercury for the 24-page souvenir liftout on the centenary of Anzac.