Remembrance Day Norfolk Island 2024

This year’s Remembrance Day commemoration service and wreath laying ceremony was held at the Norfolk Island Cenotaph at Kingston. It was a sunny warm morning as everyone gathered at 10.30am for the 2024 Commemoration Service.

Norfolk Islanders and visitors gathered on Monday 11^th November, to pay tribute to the soldiers and loved ones on Remembrance Day.

We all proudly sung our National Anthems and we paused for two minutes silence, and we listened to the sound of the bugle during “the Last Post, Ode and Reveille” the traditional final salute to the fallen. Thank you, Kevin for playing the bugle during the wreaths laying ceremony.

Wreaths were laid in memory of the Norfolk Island soldiers who fought in the Great War, World War II and the Korean War. Their sacrifices were great, and many families lost loved ones who never returned. The Norfolk Island soldier’s names are recorded on the Kingston Cenotaph War Memorial.

This year visitor Andrew Watt also joined the 2024 Norfolk Island Commemoration Service, and I took photographs as he laid a wreath and joined the cadets after the Remembrance Day Service.

I joined the service and proudly wore my father’s and Grandfather’s medals. I also took photos of the wreath laying and cadets and those who gathered on parade for the Remembrance Day service. I have posted some photos and videos on Facebook, Norfolk Island photos.

11th hour, 11th day, 11th month - Thank you to those who were able to attend the Armistice Day service.

Our thoughts were with those who could not attend with us.

We will remember them, Lest we forget.

The "Ode of Remembrance" is an ode taken from Laurence Binyon's poem,

"For the Fallen"

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

We Nawa Gwen Forget Dem

The RSL is very supportive to local and visiting returned serviceman and families. If you would like any more information, contact the Norfolk Island RSL Branch in town.

If you would like to read more about Norfolk Island history of the Norfolk Island soldiers and World Wars, Norfolk Island Central School has made an excellent internet site “Saluting their Service” and it is well worth a read.

http://www.niwarmemorial.nlk.nf/SalutingtheirService/Welcome.html

Attached are photos I took at this year’s Remembrance Day Service.

Betty Matthews

15 November 2024