Australian War Memorial leads national commemorations on Remembrance Day

The Australian War Memorial has marked Remembrance Day with a moving National Ceremony to commemorate fallen Australians.

Crowds fell silent to mark the 106th anniversary of the Armistice on 11 November 1918 that ended the First World War.

“This year’s National Ceremony was a moving occasion that honoured the continuing commitment and sacrifice of Australian veterans, past and present,” Matt Anderson PSM, Director of the Australian War Memorial said.

“Since opening on Remembrance Day 1941, the Memorial has become the keystone of the nation’s commemorations.”

This year’s Remembrance Day Commemorative Address was delivered by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Also in attendance were the Prime Minister, the Honourable Anthony Albanese, Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Matt Keogh, Australia’s Federation Guard and the Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon; students representing schools from around the nation; and veterans and serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

Following the ceremony, Private Richard Norden was posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Vietnam War.

The Governor-General and the Prime Minister announced the awarding of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Private Norden “for most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the 'AO Surfers' Area of Operations in the Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, on 14 May 1968 during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral”.

Reading from the citation, Mr Anderson said: “During Operation Toan Thang, 5th Platoon, Bravo Company were ambushed and came under heavy fire from an estimated squad of seven to ten North Vietnamese Army regular soldiers. Private Norden, a member of the leading section, ran forward under heavy enemy fire to the Section Commander and forward scout who were wounded during the initial contact.

“Private Norden killed one North Vietnamese Army soldier whilst moving forward and, having expended his ammunition, recovered that enemy's automatic weapon which he used against further North Vietnamese Army soldiers. He then half-carried, half-dragged the severely wounded Section Commander back to the section. 

“Private Norden, seriously wounded, again advanced to the forward scout. He pressed forward under enemy fire and reached the scout, killing the North Vietnamese Army soldier who had been using the scout as a shield. Having determined that the scout was dead, Private Norden returned to the section to collect grenades and moved forward for a third time. He cleared the area to enable the body of the scout to be recovered.

“Private Norden showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, and his courage and selfless acts resulted in the enemy position being secured and likely saved the lives of other members of the platoon.”

Private Norden died while on active service with the Australian Capital Territory Police in 1972. 

More photos via Flickr