With Gregory Peake OAM
On 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent on the Western Front. The war to end all wars had come to an end, and with Australia’s small population of five million, we could not afford to lose so many young men and women; some 20% of men who left our shores never to return.
Over the next 107 years, Australian men and women served this country in another world war and many other conflicts.
Once a year, at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, all Australians pause for two minutes to remember them. This time of remembrance encompasses all who passed during their service to this country since Federation.
Those who have served in the military and have lost a mate in the service of this country will know the effect it has on us who survived, for those who are left behind. For their parents, wives, children, and other relatives and friends, a big hole is left that cannot be filled.
For me, this day is but one day of remembering. I have a photo of all that did not come home from the unit I served with in Vietnam. I may not have known each one personally, but I did know their names. Some years ago, I met a mate who carried a list in his pocket of his mates who were killed in his unit. I, too, now carry a similar list in my diary as a daily reminder. I regularly attend unit reunions, which are held every two years. Our numbers are dwindling, our ages are showing, but we have that special bond of mateship that will never dwindle.
So, you might say every day is Remembrance Day.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
LEST WE FORGET
Kedron-Wavell Remembrance Day Service 2025
Remembrance Day poppies and memorabilia can be purchased in the foyer at Kedron-Wavell from Monday, 3 November.
Kedron-Wavell will hold a small service at the Cenotaph at the entrance to the Club on 11 November. Guests can start taking their places at 10:30am, then at 11am there will be a two-minute silence. Morning tea will be available after the service.
Read more stories from the Chermside Guide’s print magazine here:
- Chermside Connect: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Podcast Review: The Imperfects
- British Cinema Comes to Brisbane
- Grass Emperor – Lethrinus laticaudis
- Organic Gardening in November
- Art of Banksy Chapter 2 Premieres in Brisbane
- Have Your Elf a Merry Little Evening at Hornets
- Two Legendary Tributes, One Disco-Fuelled Night
- Something Festive for Everyone at Burnie Brae’s Christmas Markets
- Inclusive Social Community Celebrates 9 Years of Connection
- The Dawn of Cinema
- New Sign at Marchant Park Honours Local History
- Celebrating 100 Wonderful Years
- Local Youth Filmmaker Wins Best Documentary Award
- PCYC Zillmere Empowers Youth with Free Programs
- Peter FitzSimons to Discuss Weary Dunlop at Chermside Library
- Northside Church Unveils Red Bench for Domestic Violence Awareness
- Stafford Couple Celebrates 70 Years In Home They Built Together
- Anthology Showcases Papua New Guinean Speculative Fiction
