A century on from when the guns fell silent on the Western Front, the Moree community gathered at Anzac Centenary Park on a beautiful spring morning to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the ‘war to end all wars’ and honour those who sacrificed their lives in that Great War and all wars since.
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At 11am, on Sunday, November 11, exactly 100 years since the historic treaty was signed to end World War I, Moree was silent to honour Australia’s men and women who fought, died and suffered during wars and armed conflicts over the past century.
A larger crowd than usual turned out to commemorate the extra special Remembrance Day this year, with about 100 people marking the milestone at Anzac Centenary Park.
Moree RSL sub-branch member John Tramby spoke of the significance of the day, outlining Australia’s involvement throughout World War I, particularly on the Western Front, which he said is often forgotten.
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“Today we need to remember what Australia did in that war, it was absolutely magnificent,” he said.
“They came back to a country that was severely affected financially, with very little employment opportunities, while many of them were very sick and died in the years that followed.
“We ponder and not only think of those who paid the extreme sacrifice, but all those who suffered after the war.
“Today is the perfect day to do that. We as a nation owe them a debt of gratitude.”
The commemoration began with the marching of the catafalque party – Moree 339 Squadron of Air Force Cadets, led by Cadet Flight Sergeant Leah Bexon and accompanied by Leading Aircraftman and Executive Officer Warwick Bedford – followed by the prayer for peace by Reverend Phillip Brown and the laying of wreaths.
The Last Post was sounded by bugler Lucy Midgley, followed by the reading of The Ode by MC Roger Butler OAM before the Moree crowd joined in with the rest of the nation to mark a minute’s silence.
Rouse was then sounded before the hymn O God Help in Ages Past was played by Moree and District Brass Band and sung by Moree Community Choir.
Mr Butler read the poem We shall keep the faith and Reverend Brown read The Lord’s Prayer before the band and choir performed the national anthems.
Mr Butler said it was very fitting that this year’s commemoration took place among the memorial plinths dedicated to the many Moree men and women who died for our freedom in World War I.
“The Armistice was believed at the time to be the end of the war to end all wars which once again proved the triumph of hope over experience,” he said.
“The invaluable publicity which the media (newspapers, radio and television) have given to this Remembrance Day has hopefully burned into the soul of the younger generation the futility of war and a determination to do everything possible to avoid a repeat of World Wars I and II.”
