A CENTURY after the Armistice was signed on a drizzly day in a French forest, Albury citizens enjoyed splendid spring weather as they saluted the end of World War I.
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Hundreds gathered at Albury’s Waugh Road cemetery on Sunday afternoon for the special service, organised by the city’s RSL sub-branch.
The member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, told of the reaction on the Western Front to peace on November 11, 1918.
“Once the news spread, all over the world, people were dancing in the streets and drinking champagne, but at the front there was no celebration,” Ms Ley said.
“At night as they sat around log fires, the first they had ever been able to light, the unearthly quiet began to eat into their souls.
“No words today or any day can do justice to the lives of the 61,721 Australians who were then dead, but from the magnitude of their sacrifice our young nation emerged more confident to take its place in the world.”
Member for Albury Greg Aplin reflected on the past five years of saluting World War I.
He noted tributes in his electorate had included a memorial garden at Lavington’s Murray High School and Hume Highway rest stop honouring Victoria Cross recipient Albert Borella.
“My final response to five years of commemoration is that it truly is good to reach the end,” Mr Aplin said.
“All things must past and this too is a reminder that the wickedness that leads to war will pass, that evil philosophies and atrocities will end, that friendships can be rebuilt albeit over time and a reminder that war is the failure of diplomacy.”
Albury mayor Kevin Mack hailed those who supported war efforts from his city.
“The volunteers, the nurses, the ladies’ auxiliaries and those people who raised money for much needed war bonds and food to be sent to the front,” Cr Mack said.
“They’re the people who are certainly unheralded in a lot of ways.”
The Scots School Albury’s band was a focal point for much of the centenary service.
In 28-degree heat, the 20-member group provided more than 30 minutes of music that ranged in tone from mournful to uplifting.
Host and Albury RSL sub-branch president Graham Docksey lauded their work which included a rendition of The Battle’s O’er in recognition of more than 2000 pipers who were killed in World War I.
“It’s a sterling effort in these very hot conditions,” Mr Docksey said.
A makeshift flag pole was erected at the graveyard and two wreathes, representing soldiers, Charles Bishop and Albert Borella, buried in the pioneer and general cemeteries, were laid around it.
Darcy Bishop and Rowan Chalmers-Borella had the duty, on behalf of their families, of depositing the flowers.
The afternoon event followed Albury’s usual Remembrance Day service at St Matthew’s Anglican Church.
The pews were packed for the occasion with wreathes laid in honour of the fallen by representatives of the army, council, politics, schools and groups with ties to defence personnel.
The address was given by Bandiana army commandant Colonel Matt Patching.
