Centenary of Armistice and STM Remembrance Day Liturgy

11 November 2018 marks the centenary of the end of the First World War. It is almost beyond our comprehension the extent of suffering at the time the Armistice

was signed. Approximately 62 000 Australians had been killed, but only one of these returned and was buried in Australia. That soldier was Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges whose grave is close by us in Campbell on Mt Pleasant, adjacent to the Royal Military College Duntroon. One other soldier has since been reinterred in Australia in1993, the Unknown Soldier, who lies in the Hall of Memory, the heart of the Australian War Memorial. Where could grieving families and friends go to pay their respects and reflect on the loss of life? The answer is the memorials that were erected in cities and towns all around Australia.

Added to this was the suffering and hardship experienced by approximately 156,000 service personnel who were wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.

Since 1918, approximately another 40 000 Australians have died in other wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. Their names are listed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.

The peace and freedom we have in Australia today has come at great cost and has been paid for on our behalf by generations that came before us. It would be wrong for this to be forgotten. It would be wrong for us to take for granted what we have and not treasure it. It is our responsibility to pay respect where it is due and to pass this responsibility onto our children.

You are invited to the St Thomas More's Remembrance Day Liturgy. It will be held on Friday, 9 November 2018 (Week 4) commencing at 9am in Holy Faith Hall.

Remembrance Day Poster

The Department of Veterans' Affairs produces a Remembrance Day poster every year commemorating a particular theme or anniversary from our wartime history. This year the poster is ‘Commemorating the centenary of the Armistice’. It can be viewed at http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/education/resources . Click button ‘Wartime Snapshot #24’ for a very informative summary of the Armistice.

What  Commemoration the Centenary of Armistice 2018

When  Friday 5 October-Sunday 11 November 2018

Where Australian War Memorial

Info  One hundred years ago on 11 November 1918, four bloody years of brutal conflict came to an end. Almost 62,000 Australians died fighting for our freedom and in service of our nation. To commemorate the centenary of the Armistice that ended the First World War a creative public program will run at the Australian War Memorial. See https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/armistice

What  Armistice and After – an Exhibition

When  Sunday 11 November 2018, 11am-4pm

Where Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre

Info  Official opening by Andrew Leigh MP, Member for Fenner. Records the participation of the Hall district diggers in the triumphs of 1918 and the euphoria that accompanied the end of hostilities. It also records the difficulties of repatriation and adjustment to civilian life.

Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au

Sonja Mingay
DSTA

Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am