One hundred years ago on 11 November 1918, four bloody years of brutal conflict came to an end. Almost 62,000 Australians died fighting for our freedom and in service of our nation.
The Lone Charger
Anzac Day marches and other memorial parades are often led by a lone, riderless horse, with a pair of boots set backwards in the stirrups and the saddle stripped. Ancient peoples, such as the Saxons and Scythian’s, used to bury a great warrior’s horse with him so that it could serve him in the afterlife. This practice was continued in some European countries until the late eighteenth century. In modern times, custom has been kinder to the horse,which has been led in its master’s funeral procession with his boots reversed as a sign that a warrior has fallen in battle. A lone charger has been added to some Anzac Day parades as an additional symbol of respect and mourning, often for the men of the Light Horse units.
Military vehicles leading the parade in George Town
Parade heading to the Max Harris Reserve Cenotaph.
The Pipe Band at George Town Armistice Day – 2018
A Catafalque party is a guard, usually of four people, that stands watch over the coffin and catafalque of a distinguished person or over a significant monument. In Australia, a catafalque party acts as sentries for the memorial or cenotaph during annual Anzac day commemorations.
Doug Baird; father to Cameron Baird VC, MG, was the guest speaker at the Armistice Day commemoration at George Town 2018.
The wreaths at the Cenotaph located in the Max Harris Reserve.