The Wauchope RSL sub-branch Remembrance Day commemoration service at the town’s Cenotaph was a moving ceremony attended by more than 150 people. Poppies were distributed to those who came to take part.
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The MC was Major Mick Brownlow, and the ceremony remembered all those service people killed and injured in all wars and peacekeeping missions in which Australia has been involved.
“Today, we remember and pay homage to those gallant men and women who, in their youth, offered their most treasured possession, their lives, so that we of today may go about our daily occupation in peace and freedom,” he said.
“To the many Australians who gave their lives, and who take pride of place in our minds today, to our absent comrades, we say: ‘Sleep well, Australia’s sons and daughters wherever you may lay, in far-off lands and many seas. Your duty done, neither time, nor evil chance can stain your name, or bring you sense of loss.”
This year, November 11 marks the 99th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18). The captains of Wauchope High School, Owen McKittrick and Monique Copelin spoke about the terrible toll of the battle of Passchendaele.
At 11am, a minutes’s silence was observed and the Last Post was played. President Des Hancock read these beautiful, moving words.
“They went with a song to the battle. They were young – straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted. They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them.”