The silent reflection for peace

On Monday we will stop for a minutes’ silence to remember those who died defending Australia and our democratic ideals. It is not a celebration of war but a chance each year to remember those who selflessly gave their lives in battle.

Services will be held around the country with red poppies being a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Madame Anna Guérin, who made artificial flowers, is recognised as the ‘Originator of the Poppy Day’. The Frenchwoman raised money in support of veterans and the families of those who had died during World War I, first selling poppies in Britain in 1921.

Remembrance Day was established after World War 1 when the guns fell silent on the Western Front. In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, the date became known as Armistice Day, a day to remember those who died in World War 1.

More than 60,000 Australian soldiers and about 17,000 New Zealand soldiers died in the Great War.

How did Remembrance Day come about? On the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919, there was two minutes’ silence as part of the main commemorative ceremony at the new cenotaph in London. Australian journalist Edward Honey and South African politician Sir Percy Fitzpatrick are credited with the idea for the two-minute silence.

Originally called Armistice Day, Australia agreed to a proposal by Britain after World War 11 to change the name to Remembrance Day. Lives lost in both world wars and other conflicts are now commemorated on November 11 at 11am. 

On the 75th anniversary of the armistice in 1993, Remembrance Day ceremonies in Australia and New Zealand became the focus of national attention. The remains of an unknown Australian soldier, exhumed from a World War 1 military cemetery in France, were ceremonially entombed in the Australian War Memorial’s Hall of Memory.

Lest we forget.

Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: Hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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