Remembrance Day a chance to reflect

AT the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Australian’s will pause for a minute silence to remember and pay respects to those who have fought and died in battle.

The day commemorates the moment gunfire ceased on the Western Front during the First World War, and has since become a day to reflect on all service people of Australia, former and current.

Infantry Private George Northend serves in Bendigo’s Charlie Company of the 8th/7th Royal Victoria Regiment, a battalion that served in both World Wars.

He joined the Navy in the 1970s, before pursuing other careers and starting a family. In the 2010s, his son challenged him to re-enlist into the Army, which he did.

He urges all Australian’s to take a moment of quiet reflection.

“Australians have been gathering for over 100 years to remember the fallen, those who made the ultimate sacrifice, initially with The Great War, and it’s come to symbolise remembrance for all conflict from that date,” he said.

“We’ve got over 1200 servicemen currently engaged on deployment operations, many of them overseas, and they’ll be gathering and quietly reflecting.”

Private Northend said he’ll spend the day with his family, giving thought to his grandfather who served at Gallipoli, his father who served during World War 2 and his son who is currently serving in Sydney.

“I’ll get my uniform out and quietly reflect with my family on how fortunate we are to be in Australia, in Victoria and where I come from in Kyneton,” he said.

“Remembrance Day is an opportunity to reflect on the fact that my grandfather and father returned home safely from conflict, although I’ve never served overseas, I hope if my son serves he’ll return safely also,” he said.

While there are more opportunities to gather and reflect due to COVID-19 restrictions easing, there will be no public service at the Soldier’s Memorial Institute.