Australia coach Darren Lehmann wants his charges to be students of history – both on and off the park.

So when the one-day squad assembled in Canberra for a match against South Africa, Cricket Australia organised a private tour of the Australian War Memorial.

The players learned about Albert ‘Tibby’ Cotter and Ross Gregory, Australian Test players killed in WWI and WWII respectively.

At the end of Tuesday’s tour, Lehmann and captain George Bailey laid a wreath at the Pool of Reflection.

When The Last Post sounded, recent batting woes in Perth would have been the last thing on the players’ minds.

“You learn a lot about Australia – full stop,” Lehmann said of the War Memorial visit.

“All the people who went before us and what they achieved for our country.

“We’re big on learning about the past and I know all the guys were really excited about coming, me included.”

Lehmann and Shane Watson are among a handful of high-profile sport stars that have been signed up as Camp Gallipoli ambassadors.

The Camp Gallipoli program coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1915 landing at Anzac Cove, encouraging Australians and New Zealanders to join in a night of remembrance under the stars.

Watson noted he was taking part to “raise awareness for the younger generation to realise how privileged we are”.

The Camp Gallipoli logo will adorn Australia’s playing strip at Manuka Oval on Wednesday, with the shirts to be signed and auctioned to raise funds for the RSL and Legacy Australia.