On Monday, 11 November 2024, seven World War II veterans will gather to commemorate Remembrance Day at the historic West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide. This significant event will feature a special Service of Remembrance, held in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) section which houses the oldest dedicated military burial ground in Australia.
The event will see the participation of the WWII servicemen alongside other ex-service personnel, state government representatives, members of veterans’ groups, and school students. The public is also invited to attend.
This year’s commemorative service will take place under the emblematic 100-year-old Cross of Sacrifice. More than 4,000 military personnel from World War I and World War II, who rest in this cemetery, will be honoured. In a touching tribute, 4,167 red poppies will be placed on each gravesite by local school students prior to the commencement of the service.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Sharon Mascall-Dare, Adjunct Associate Professor and Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian Army Reserve. Dr Mascall-Dare, who has also served in operations in Iraq from 2016 to 2017, will offer reflections on the significance of Remembrance Day today and its relevance in our current times.
The public is encouraged to join the service, which begins at 10:15am. It will be marked by a catafalque party and will conclude with a poignant rendition of the Last Post by a lone bugler.
West Terrace Cemetery, a State Heritage-listed site established in 1837, is South Australia’s oldest working cemetery and stands as one of the oldest operating capital city cemeteries in Australia. It plays a pivotal role in the commemoration of military personnel who served in the major conflicts of the 20th century.
The cemetery’s AIF section creates a poignant backdrop for the annual Remembrance Day service, offering a space of reflection and honour for the heroes who served our nation in times of war. This event provides an opportunity for community members to pay their respects while also educating younger generations about the sacrifices made by those before them.
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