Hobart has celebrated Armistice day with a street Peace party

The fallen of the Great War have been remembered in ceremonies worldwide and around the nation as thousands gathered to mark 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended World War 1.

THE fallen of the Great War have been remembered in ceremonies worldwide and around the nation as thousands gathered to mark 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended World War 1.

At the Hobart Cenotaph, hundreds heard of the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women in all armed conflicts.

The Premier Will Hodgman gave the state commemorative address, telling crowds that “World War I was great only for the scale of its ferocity and destruction”.

“More than 16 million people were killed, including 60,000 Australians and more than 3000 of them Tasmanian,” he said.

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In a moving address, Premier Hodgman described the devastating impact World War I had on Tasmanians. “Before long Tasmanians were dying and wounded and families would never be the same again, and the sinister and surreptitious impact of war half a world away also caused great injury right here,” the Premier said.

“For it’s recorded that we were a small community bitterly divided during the war years and for many years to come. While warfare did sprout some new industries, it disrupted our economy, closing many markets for our products. Unemployment doubled in the first six months of war accompanied by inflation, wage increases, industrial unrest and strikes.”

Present and former Australian servicemen who attended the service said they felt their contributions in conflicts since World War I had been recognised by the services.

Peter Ling, who was in the RAAF for 28 years and whose relatives fought in World War I, World War II and in Vietnam, said nothing much has changed since the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918.

“We are still fighting,” he said. “History hasn’t changed, it’s just going around in circles. There’s always someone to fight. As Australians we always fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. We are always there to protect the innocent and the weak and those who are desperate and destitute. That’s what our job is.”

Australian serviceman Quentin Hendry, who attended the service with his son, said he had served in Afghanistan four times.

Premier Will Hodgman and Tasmanian RSL president, Terry Rowe, lay wreaths at the Hobart Cenotaph on Remembrance Day. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“We are here to remember the sacrifices made during the First World War and subsequent conflicts,” he said. “And to remember those who continue to struggle.”

State President of RSL Tasmania Terry Roe said this year’s Armistice service was “very significant and different for many reasons”.

“When I got up to recite the Ode I was very surprised to see the numbers of people here, which is fantastic to see,” he said.

“It’s so very important that we remember. I hope that throughout today they reflect on where we’ve come in 100 years, and the legacy of the people who fought …

“Sadly, one thing that hasn’t changed is the wars. We’re still sending our young service-people, our men and women, off to war and that’s a great shame. We thought it would be the war to end all wars, but sadly that wasn’t to be.”

More than 60 Remembrance Day services were held around the state to mark the occasion.