Thousands attend Remembrance Day National Ceremony
At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. On this day each year Australians observe one minute’s silence, in memory of those who have died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts, a tradition the Australian War Memorial continues in its National Ceremony.
More than 3,800 people attended the Remembrance Day National Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial today. This was many hundred more than last year.
The National Ceremony at the Memorial was attended by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and The Honourable Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia, veterans and serving members of the Defence Force.
Wreaths were laid by the Governor-General and Prime Minister, along with the Diplomatic Corps – on behalf of the citizens of their countries.
The Commemorative Address was delivered by General David Hurley, Chief of the Defence Force.
One hundred and two students, from around Australia, laid poppies symbolising the more than 102,000 Australian servicemen and women who have died in war.The ceremony also included the Tri-Service Guard of Honour, mounted by Australia's Federation Guard, accompanied by the Band of the Royal Military College.
The National Ceremony followed a private unveiling of additions to the Roll of Honour, attended by the families of those servicemen who lost their lives in Afghanistan over the past 12 months. Nine new names were added to the Afghanistan panel of the Roll.
This year marks the 94th anniversary of the armistice on 11 November which ended the First World War (1914–18).
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