Pausing to honour Diggers on Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day services have been held across the City of Moreton Bay today to honour fallen Diggers and the men and women who continue to serve our country.

Veterans, families and present servicemen and women attended Redcliffe RSL’s service at Anzac Place, overlooking Moreton Bay.

Redcliffe RSL President Neville Cullen explained the history of Remembrance Day (formerly Armistice Day) and the significance of the poppy which has become a symbol of remembrance.

“We are gathered here today on the 11^th hour on the 11^th day of the 11^th month to continue the timeless tradition of commemorating Remembrance Day," he said.

“It marks the exact day, month and time that the ceasefire was sounded and the guns of the Western Front fell silent.

“It commemorates the signing of the Armistice that took place in a railway carriage in France that ended the biggest epic of that time – The Great War, the war to end all wars as World War I was known then.

“Today we assemble to remember all servicemen and women in all wars and conflicts that Australians and fought and died in. We also remember and honour those servicemen and women who served and returned from those wars and conflicts, many of them affected both physically and or mentally by the consequences of that service.”

He said it was also important to remember the civilians who died and were affected by those wars and conflicts.

“I also ask that you remember our current servicemen and women in the Australian Defence Forces, some of whom are serving overseas today. May God protect them and bring them home soon.”

Redcliffe State High School student leaders represented the youth of Redcliffe, laying a wreath alongside a large contingent of community leaders and organisations, as piper Graeme Hall played. Student Benjamin Hay sounded the Last Post and Rouse.

Soldiers from the 20^th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, 6ESR RAE, performed Catafalque Party duties.

See photos from the service below

By Dominika Lis