YANCHEP Two Rocks RSL president Bill Jones said today marked the 104th anniversary of the Armistice which ended World War I.
According to the Australian War Memorial the first modern world conflict brought about the mobilisation of more than 70 million people and left between nine and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave.
The moment the guns on the Western Front fell silent in 1918 after four years of war continues to be recognised today with many Australians pausing at 11am every November 11 to observe one minute’s silence and remember those who died or suffered in wars and armed conflicts.
Originally commemorated as Armistice Day the name was changed to Remembrance Day after the end of World War II.
Mr Jones said Remembrance Day was about stopping and showing respect for all of those who had served and suffered during conflicts.
It was about remembering Australians and the New Zealanders, who cemented the name Anzac in the course of history for ever.
He also mentioned the civilian casualties who always became the innocent collateral damage in conflicts and those who were regarded as being the enemy at that time and who in the majority of specific cases suffered many more dead and wounded than the allies did.
As well as those who served in earlier wars, he said the day was to remember those of the several other conflicts since – the major ones being Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.
It was also to remember the animals especially the horses who served alongside the humans.
Yanchep Two Rocks RSL president Bill Jones and secretary Doug Thorncroft before the Remembrance Day service held at Yanchep National Park. Picture: Anita McInnes
