Add Category
We salute them ... the sails of the Sydney Opera House lit up with red poppies to mark Remembrance Day. Picture: Supplied
THE Army chaplain in France who heard the cries of joy at 11am on November 11 as the Great War ended — but could not join in as he was standing, grief-stricken, in front of his 19-year-old soldier son’s grave.
The woman who lost six nephews to the fighting but still turned out to celebrate, telling all those around her at a Melbourne parade she was proud of their sacrifice.
The Digger sent home from the front — but who died of influenza as his ship overnighted in Sydney Harbour before he managed to set foot on our soil.
There are a thousand different stories to recall on Remembrance Day today, as we mark the ending of the First World War 98 years ago, and the sacrifices of soldiers since.
And despite the growing distance of time, it Australians are choosing to remember ever more — despite almost forgetting to do so in recent years.
Just as numbers have swollen at Anzac Day celebrations in recent years, so historians and the RSL see those saluting Remembrance Day increasing as we approach a century since the last shots of WW1 were fired.
SHARE YOUR REMEMBRANCE PLANS & PICS AT ANZACLIVE
Remembering all ... primary school students encircle the head of a horse made of crocheted poppies at Moonee Valley Racecourse. It pays tribute to the role of the horse in armed conflict. Picture: Ian CurrieSource:News Corp Australia
That’s particularly interesting as both days of commemoration have in the not-so-distant past seemed to fade from the public consciousness.
“There was a time in the mid-1990s when it seemed feasible that Anzac Day would die out, as fewer veterans of either world war were able to mark it†said historian Michael McKernan, noting that it was surge of enthusiastic involvement from relatives and proud non-veterans that had effectively saved a day now burned into the public psyche.
And RSL Deputy National President Robert Dick said similar for Remembrance Day, noting that while public participation had dipped for a time, it was now picking up again.
“For the last three Remembrance Days, I have seen participation increase,†he said, noting the number of companies and individuals that pause for a minute’s silence at 11am.
Lest we forget ... dressed in the uniforms of past and current conflicts, “ghost soldiers†played by military re-enactors will parade through Adelaide this year as part of a new RSL Remembrance Day initiative. Picture: Naomi JellicoeSource:News Corp Australia
Both men agree that there is room for both in our calendar of commemoration; and that while Anzac Day is the bigger of the two, not only solemnly marking the sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women but also celebrating them, Remembrance Day has its own very special significance.
“Never have the words ‘Lest We Forget’ been more pertinent,†said former RAAF man Dick.
The RSL is advising the public to check its state branch websites for details for local events today.
While Aussies remember and salute the sacrifices of WW1, one element we have accepted we will never recall 100 per cent as a nation is the breakdown of casualties.
The estimated numbers of Australian war dead have fluctuated over the years and will never be fully known, although historians are closer today to a clear picture than ever before, while accepting the exact number will not be known.
The Australian War Memorial says a total of 60,000 were killed in action or died of wounds; and a total of 156,000 were wounded,gassed or taken prisoner. Almost 417,000 men — 38.7 per cent of the male population aged 18-44 — enlisted and 320,000 served overseas.
A breakdown of casualties from WW1. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
An official national state-by-state breakdown has not been undertaken, although researchers and organisations in some states have got fairly firm numbers which allow for estimation of those without.
According to the most recent estimates, the rounded state numbers for killed or fatally wounded are as follows: NSW, 21,000; Victoria, 19,000; Western Australia, 5,600; South Australia, 5,000; Tasmania, 2,400.
There some interesting unknowns.
Researchers in Adelaide have two figures, 5,000 and 6,600 — the latter taking into account 1600 SA-born who died while living in, or affiliated to, other states. Similar could be applied to other states.
Meanwhile, Queensland remains the biggest mystery. Anecdotally, according to experts from the State Library of Queensland, it has long been accepted that around 10,000 Queenslanders died — a number seemingly born out by an AIF medical officer’s chart from the 1940s, which showed 10,200 dying or being discharged abroad.
However this will be taking into account the large number of those who died from disease and accidents as well as in action or of wounds.
Subtracting the other states’ numbers from the total and taking what is left — 7,000 — for Queensland and the NT leaves us with a much smaller number.
Like the identity of the Unknown Soldier, the exact statistic is a remnant of WW1 that will perhaps forever elude us. But no matter — for whatever the figure, we shall remember them.
As it was ... amidst the military parades of November 11, 1918, some civilians celebrated in style. Here residents of Glebe, Sydney dressed up and drove around in this hired Hupmobile. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied