Lest we forget

Marc Worner explores the relevance of ceremonial plants to one of the southern hemisphere's most honoured and humbling ceremonies.

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In the aftermath of the First World War, communities across Australia built war memorials to perpetuate the memory of those who served their country and who lie buried in foreign soil or beneath the seas.

According to the Australian War Memorial's records, in the four years of this so-called 'Great War' approximately 416,809 Australians had volunteered. Of these, 324,000 served overseas, 61,720 deaths were incurred on active service, and another 155,000 were wounded.

In reality, some two thirds of this remarkable force was either killed or wounded.

Pause to reflect

Remembrance Day is the day Australians, like so many others around the world, pause to reflect upon those who gave their lives during times of conflict.

Originally known as Armistice Day, the commemoration sees participants pause for a period of silence to remember those who died in all wars. Much of the tradition and symbolism is directly associated with World War One, when, on November 11, 1918, the great guns that for four years wrought havoc among a whole generation of young men, fell silent.

Anzac Day is another special day of remembrance close to all Australians.

In the early hours of the April 25, 1915, forces of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the ANZACS) landed at a small cove on the rugged slopes of Turkey's Gallipoli Peninsula. Over 25,000 ANZACS subsequently came ashore over the following weeks, many to be cut down by skilled Turkish snipers and machine guns nestled in the cliffs and gullies towering over ANZAC Cove. The battle continued until the following December when the entire force was evacuated without achieving the planned outcome.

Australia lost 8709 of its men, and New Zealand 2701.

Plants marking time