Remembrance Day holds a special significance this year, and East Maitland RSL sub-branch has organised a special tribute to suit the commemoration.
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The sub-branch will unveil two plaques commemorating the end of World War I on the gateway entrance to the East Maitland War Memorial Centre.
The RSL obtained a grant through the Federal Government to create the plaques in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Armistice, when the guns fell silent on November 11, 1918 following four years of warfare.
One plaque will detail all the theatres (locations) of operation during World War I and is set to be unveiled by descendants of World War I veterans.
“We wanted to show there were a lot of other major battles, not just Gallipoli,” East Maitland RSL sub-branch member Brad Keating said.
- Related: Remembrance Day 2017 in Maitland
The other is a commemorative plaque from the sub-branch honouring those who fought in World War I.
The plaque states that it honours the men and women who served and pays homage to all Australians who gave their lives in defence of their country and the free world.
It will be the memorial’s first plaque dedicated to World War I.
Mr Keating said the idea was that people who visited the memorial could pause to reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
It’s a lasting monument to all World War I soldiers, which we’ve never had before.
- Brad Keating
“This is a closing off of World War I, but that’s not to say we won’t remember them,” he said.
“It’s a lasting monument to all World War I soldiers, which we’ve never had before.”
The plaques will be unveiled at 12.30pm on Sunday, after the sub-branch service at 10.30am. There will be a light lunch served at the War Memorial Centre Hall in between the service and unveiling.
The sub-branch asks members and guests to assemble for the service no later than 10.25am.
Maitland RSL sub-branch will also hold a Remembrance Day ceremony on Sunday morning.
The service will be held at the cenotaph in Maitland Park and is also set to begin at 10.30am.
Maitland RSL sub-branch honourary secretary Graham Solomons said the ceremony is expected to be a bit longer than usual, considering it is the centenary of Armistice.
“It’s a very significant ceremony,” he said.
“There were a number of people from our area that went to that war who didn’t come back.”
Maitland RSL sub-branch was actually formed in the aftermath of World War I in 1919.
This Sunday’s service in Maitland Park will involve a performance of the song, The Battle’s Over by Maitland Pipe Band, as well as a guest speaker and a march.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
