The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)
Hornsby RSL Sub Branch
The Price Of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance
REMEMBRANCE DAY - 11th NOVEMBER - marks the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War (1914-18). Each year Australians observe one minute silence, observed at the 11th HOUR of the 11th DAY of the 11th MONTH in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.
HISTORY ?...The moment in 1918 when hostilities ceased was originally named Armistice Day, becoming a time when allied nations honoured the brave sacrifices made by all who fought and lost their lives during the First World War. At the end of the Second World War, the Australian and British governments renamed November 11 Remembrance Day to mark and remember all who have fallen in times of war. The ritual of observing one minute of silence was first proposed by Australian journalist Edward Honey in 1918 and continues to be universally practiced on Remembrance Day each year.
RED POPPY ? ...During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to bloom in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldier\'s folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground, making the poppy symbolic of the bloodshed in trench warfare.
Hornsby RSL Sub-Branch conducts the REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE at Hornsby Cenotaph each year on November 11 commencing 10:55am.
In adverse weather conditions, the service will be held in the War Memorial Hall, 2 High St, Hornsby.
Those wishing to lay wreaths please contact the Secretary of the Hornsby Sub-Branch.
Listed below are other RSL NSW Branch commemorations and events that are held outside of the Hornsby area that may be of interest to our members.
For the full list of RSL NSW Branch Commemorative events please refer to the
15 August commemorates the end of World War 2.
The Australian War Memorial notes that Japan accepted the Allied demand for unconditional surrender on 14 August 1945. The following day, 15 August, is usually referred to as VP Day.
For many countries, the defeat of Germany in early May was more significant, but Australia’s focus, as it had been since 1942, was primarily on the war in the Pacific and so for us, VP Day marked the end of that horrendous conflict.
Almost one million Australians served in World War II with 39,654 dying during, or in the immediate aftermath of the conflict. Note that this number from the Australian War Memorial is higher than the more commonly cited 27,000 as it includes non-battle casualties and those who succumbed to wounds, injury or illness up to 30 June 1947. But more than that, the conflict came much closer to Australia than World War 1. The bombing of Darwin and other northern communities, the midget submarine attack in Sydney, the savage fighting in PNG and, probably less well known, the significant enemy submarine activity on our eastern seaboard all reinforced the sense of threat.
Sadly, with the passage of time, those with firsthand experience of that conflict are rapidly dwindling. We must take every opportunity while they are still with us to recognise and honour their service during that time.
V.P. Day Commemorations will be held on August 15 at the Cenotaph, Martin Place @ 11.00am & the Kokoda Track Walkway @ 2.00pm.
On 18 August, at 7am, a ‘Stand To’ service will be held at the Australian War Memorial. A national Vietnam War commemorative service will be held later that morning at the Australian Vietnam Forces Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra.The DVA has apparently offered to pay for veterans of the Battle of Long Tan, (and spouse/partner) to attend the Commemorative Service in Canberra on 18th August, 2016. If you believe you qualify please contact Phil Buttigieg at [email protected]
On 18 August, we commemorate Vietnam Veterans' Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. We remember the sacrifices of those who died and say thank you to those Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War.
The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 marked the start of Australia’s involvement in the war. By the time the war had come to an end, almost 60,000 Australians served during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972. Tragically, 521 of them died and 3000 were wounded.
On this day, we remember all the battles fought by Australians in Vietnam, from large-scale operations to platoon and section-level encounters. We also remember the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who supported land operations, and members of the Royal Australian Air Force who served in combat and transport roles.
Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration Service will be held on Thursday 18th August commencing 10.30am at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney
Office Telephone: 02 9476 6680
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hornsbyrslsubbranch.com.au