Updated 6.56pm: They were just boys who rushed off to join the World War One effort.

That from Director of Auckland War memorial Museum Roy Clare at the commemoration of ANZAC fallen on board Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship.

The shipping line ferried our soldiers to Gallipoli 100 years ago.

"It was a duty and an adventure. Just about all of them signed up and rushed here to be in those ships."

Herb Christopher's grandfather and three great uncles died in the war agrees adventure could have drawn them to the war.

He says he has letters from them which indicate they were papering over the cracks.

"They wrote the letters in a flippant manner. I think they would have seen the adventure when it started but hell when they landed."

A giant poppy wall will be displayed at the entrance to Queen's Wharf.

The aim is to collect 11,500 poppies from Auckland and Sydney to mark every solider who died in the campaign.

Curnard Lines spokesman David Jones says there'll be tributes to loved ones who lost their lives, and it's expected to be an emotional affair.

Memorial forest

A World War One memorial forest in Coromandel is being supported by the regional council.

The Thames Coromandel District Council has just received a 40 thousand dollar grant from the Waikato Regional Council to put towards the Forest of Memories.

The money will be used to buy, plant and maintain nearly two thousand of the planned 18,166 trees.

Over time a tree will be planted for each person who died during World War One.