By AAP 24 Apr 2020 21:28

Australians have been urged to remember war veterans and all servicemen and women who are forced to commemorate Anzac day alone because of the impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Delivering the annual dawn service address in Adelaide, Anzac Day committee chairman Ian Smith said warfare was brutal, destructive and costly and often took a severe toll on the civilian population as well as on those who fought.

"It often leaves permanent marks on those who endure it, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally," Mr Smith told the small group of invited guests at the city's war memorial on Saturday.

"Its only compensating attributes are courage displayed in the face of death, and the uniting force of comradeship.

"Today, in this time of physical distancing, many men and women commemorating alone or with close family in Australia, New Zealand and across the world will be missing their mates and finding this Anzac day particularly hard.