Armistice Day in Parramatta 2018

Armistice day for the Regiment was 1 November 1918 not 11^th. It was on 31 October 1918 that the Armistice of Mudros with Turkey was signed, it came into effect next day. Our nation was not represented at the signing, some presumptuous Pommie (Admiral Sir Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe GCB, GCMG, CVO) signed on our behalf. This momentous event did not rate back in Parramatta, the Regiment's home, there, the celebration was for the Armistice with Germany and Austria that came into effect at 11:00 (19:00 in Parramatta) on 11 November 1918. The announcement of a cease to hostilities had been anticipated, locals had been building a bonfire in Parramatta Park to celebrate the end of the war to end all wars and remember those who had left the town to fight and would never return. An effigy of the German Kaiser stuffed with firecrackers was hoisted to the top of the wood pile in the afternoon. Then as darkness fell and the light faded, (sunset was at 18:34) just about every citizen of Parramatta gathered around and the fire was lit. A great cheer went up as the Kaiser exploded, the younger children covered their ears.

In 2018, a century later, Parramatta commemorated this event. It was be a gala occasion, a few hours earlier than last time, 11:00 at the War Memorial in Prince Alfred Park, the ceremony was presided over by the Lord Mayor. The Museum's recently restored Matilda Tank "ACE", and Bren Gun Carrier "Brenda" were there. The Regiment drOve past in A Bushmaster.

When the service concluded there was an open day at Lancer Barracks.

This was be the best Armistice Day commemoration in Australia.

Use the slide controls below to view what happened on ther day.

 

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