Australia-Philippines Services League in 11/11/11 rites

By Evelyn A. Opilas
Photos: Evelyn a. Opilas
Rooty Hill-NSW-Australia



Members of the Australia-Philippines Services League (APSL) joined Remembrance Day rites at Rooty Hill RSL, paying their respects to the men and women who have served or are serving in areas of conflict.

Supreme Commander Chris Pilao led the APSL contingent, laying a wreath on their behalf at the Rooty Hill RSL Cenotaph.

According to the Australian War Memorial website, “At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the German invaders back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months. In November the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted allied terms that amounted to unconditional surrender.

“The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilisation of over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their war dead….”

The Rooty Hill RSL Remembrance Day pamphlet cited the timeline for Australia’s participation on the Western Front thus:

4 Aug 1914 – Great Britain declares war on Germany; Australia pledges a force of 20,000 men to be placed at Great Britain’s disposal.

10 Aug 1914 – Voluntary requirement for the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF) commences

25 April 1915 – Australia and New Zealand troops land at Gallipoli, Turkey

May 1915 – Acronym ANZAC (Australia-New Zealand Army Corps) used to describe Australia-New Zealand positions at Gallipoli, Turkey.

20 Dec 1915 – Last ANZAC troops evacuated from Gallipoli, Turkey, leaving behind some 8000 sons of Australia.

25 April 1916 – First commemoration of ANZAC; 2000 ANZACs march in London.

11 Nov 1918 – Armistice signed on the 11^th hour, ceasing (hostilities)

25 April 1923 – First ANZAC Dawn Service held at Mr Clarence overlooking King George’s Sound at Albany in Western Australia. – ends (Text & photos by Evelyn A. Opilas)