General News
17 November, 2024
Remembering our fallen heroes
At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous war.
The armistice signed between Germany and allies finally marked the end of the horrific war.
Australia sent over 300,000 soldiers to fight in World War 1 with 61,720 being killed and 156,000 left wounded. There were 114,000 Victorians who enlisted in the war.
One in eight Australian men served in WW1.
Universally November 11 then became associated with the remembrance of those who had died in all wars and was re-established as a significant day of commemoration in Australia in 1993.
During services, The Last Post is played by a bugler followed by a minutes silence to think about those who sacrificed their lives for our country.
Remembrance Day is observed by all British Commonwealth Nations.
World War 1 formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.
Many Australian communities created monuments at the end of World War 1 to remember the service and sacrifice of all Australians. Monuments and memorial sites became spots for gatherings on Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day.
In Horsham, many community members gathered at the Cenotaph and War Memorial at Sawyer Park.
Gareth Lane MC'd the service, leading attendees through the hymn and address.
School captains from Horsham College, St Brigid's College and Holy Trinity Luthern College all recited poems including In Flanders Fields and The Answer.
Wreaths were laid by Horsham RSL, Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC), Wimmera Legacy, Wimmera Veterans Centre, Wimmera sub-branch Vietnam Veterans, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, National Service Association Australia, Horsham Red Cross unit, Emma Kealy MP, Horsham College, St Brigid's and Neighbourhood House.
The Last Post and Reveille (Rouse) was played by Jo Ellis.