commemoration

Brisbane April 25. In the bright sunshine and morning stillness, broken only by the soughing of the neighboring pines, the Cross of Sacrifice and Stone of Remembrance erected in TooWong cemetery to the memory of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War were unveiled this morning by the Governor-General (Lord Forster). The spectacle was a most impressive one, and worthy of the noble sacrifices it commemorated. Grouped round the Cross were the relatives of the heroic dead, a naval guard from the British cruiser Dragon, and representatives of the Returned Soldiers' League, while overlooking the site were headstones marking the resting places of some 350 departed heroes. An aeroplane whirred overhead, dropping a shower of floral tokens. Brisbane Citizens' Band played the majestic Beethoven. "Symphony" and the Dead March in "Saul." Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld), 26 April 1924. "Commemorating our beloved dead" said His Excellency " we turn to the Cross, the sign of Him through whose self-sacrifice they have passed through the vale into life immortal". His Excellency then quoted from a poem written in the early days of the war which was written by a friend in the House of Commons. 'O valiant hearts, who to your glory came Through dust of conflict and the battle flame Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved Your memory hallowed in the land you loved.' The Brisbane Courier, 26th April 1924 Source: monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/9270...

Historical Document!

I was not too far away from that spot today at 11 am on 11/11/11 and I prayed for all those who had died in that war. It is interesting that so soon after independence so many people would turn out for a commemoration like that. The rot of intolerance must have come later? Look at the people on the roofs of Trinity - Health and Safety would have a hissy fit today!

Swordscookie Checked the newspaper reports, and it was obvious that everyone was trying their best, but there were tensions! Look how controversial the whole topic of poppy-wearing is to this day, let alone so close after WWI, the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War...

Great piece of history.

We forget sometimes what Armistice day means

This is fascinating and deeply moving ... as a Canadian with Irish roots in my ancestry, I am eternally grateful and humbled by the selfless bravery exemplified here.