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It would be great to stand before you today knowing no wars are going on around the planet, but unfortunately, there are two going on in Africa, one still only partially settled in the Middle East, and of course, the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
When the Armistice was signed between the Germans and the Allied forces at the 11th hour on the 11th day and the 11th month in 1918, this First World War was supposed to be the war to end all wars. In the intervening hours from the document of surrender being signed and the cessation of hostilities, 2,700 more casualties were inflicted. This was a complete waste of lives, just like the preceding 4 years.
On this 107th anniversary of the end of World War 1, we haven't as a species been able to live together without conflict, and with the constant development of new weaponry, especially artificial intelligence-based, nothing looks like changing any time soon.
This was not the intention of the victors, if there were any, as the Great War, as it was known, was deemed to be the war to end all wars. Those brave Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen who gave their lives so we could live in peace and with freedom would be very disappointed that we still resort to war, which brings nothing but pain and suffering to the planet daily.
Today, we gather here to honour the sacrifice of all those who have served this country in times of peace and at war. Without their contributions in the defence of our way of life, none of us would be here today. It is a debt this nation can never repay, and having ceremonies like this one keeps their memories alive.
From school children to grandparents, for one minute of each year, we gather to Remember them. It's a very small sacrifice on our part, especially considering what those brave men and women gave for us.
It was interesting to read that the British Royal Artillery lost over 60,000 men in World War One; coincidentally, that's around the same figure that Australia lost. So it was a war that marked the rapid evolution of Artillery and the invention of the Maxim Machine Gun. Both these massed weapons inflicted a devastating impact on both sides of this war.
The genuine wish for peace by those signing the Armistice didn't last a generation, with the Second World War commencing in 1939. And Australia lost another 40,000 brave young souls.
Within 10 years of the cessation of both these wars, those numbers were doubled due to death from wounds or suicide.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could stand here before you next year and claim that there are no wars on our small planet, and no more mothers are weeping over lost children.
LEST WE FORGET
(Contributed with thanks by Robert Lang, President of the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch)
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