Remembrance Day: Crowd gathers at Mt Barker’s war memorial to pay tribute to those who served

Remembrance Day is a time to honour all servicemen and women but those who suffered outside traditional conflict zones should not be forgotten, said Mt Barker RSL sub-branch president Bob Lynn.

Speaking after the annual Remembrance Day service in the town, Mr Lynn said he told the audience trainees who died prior to deployment and civilians who perished should be remembered alongside the armed forces.

“The First World War didn’t end up being the war that ended all wars, and we should remember those who trained, or who died during training prior to deployment and those civilians who perished in Darwin, Derby or Broome when WA was bombed in World War Two,” he said.

“There are still young people serving and doing the government’s business.

“And of course, many people passed away when they came back to country, either from their wounds, or more so now, from suicide.”

About 50 people came to the town’s war memorial and Mr Lynn said it was good to meet some new veterans who came to the ceremony for the first time.

The Rev Dr Genevieve Milnes read the prayer, there was a speech from Cr Ken Clements and Dave Morton laid a wreath in honour of the Royal Marines.

RSL sub-branch vice president Stuart Campbell read the poem In Flanders Fields, written by Lt Col John McCrae in 1915 after burying a friend following the Second Battle of Ypres.