Service to remember those lost near the end of First World War

ONE nurse and twenty-three soldiers will be honoured at this year’s Remembrance Day service at the Arch of Victory.

All 24 lost their lives just a few weeks before of the end of the First World War.

“The First World War lasted from August 1914 to November 1918, over four years, so it was tragic to think that these lives were lost in the last few weeks,” said Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee president Garry Snowden. Sister Gertrude Munro from Alfredton treated infectious diseases for more than two years before succumbing one month before the Armistice was signed.

After enlisting as an 18-year-old in 1915, Thomas Veal from Ford Street in Ballarat East served at Gallipoli then in France and died of Spanish flu 10 days before the war ended.

Brothers Lawrence and Robert Tait from Barkly Street both died in the last three weeks of the war.

In a short service commencing at 9.30am on Remembrance Day, Tuesday 11 November, at the Memorial Wall adjacent to the Arch of Victory, the 24 names will be called.

“As always we are hoping for a good attendance, and anyone is welcome to leave a tribute at the wall during the wreath-laying

portion of the service,” Mr. Snowden said.