Originally called Armistice Day, Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the hostilities for the Great War (World War I) and the

signing of the armistice, which occurred on 11 November 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was observed by the Allies as a way of remembering those who died,

especially soldiers with ‘no known grave’.

On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute’s silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. In London, in 1920, the commemoration was given added significance with the return of the remains of an unknown soldier from the

battlefields of the Western Front.

After the end of World War II in 1945, the Australian and British

governments changed the name to Remembrance Day as an

appropriate title for a day which would commemorate all war dead. In October 1997, then Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane, issued a proclamation declaring:

11 November as Remembrance Day and urging Australians to observe one minute’s silence at 11.00 am on Remembrance Day each year to remember the sacrifice of those who died or otherwise suffered in Australia’s cause in wars and war-like conflicts.

This year marked 90 years since the signing of the armistice.

After the laying of the wreaths at the Cenotaph in Harden a smaller service was conducted at the Light Horse Memorial in Murrumburrah.