Home

Remembrance Day 2024: Hundreds remember the fallen at RSL Albany service

Headshot of Georgia Campion
Georgia CampionAlbany Advertiser
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. President 10th Light Horse Brett Ward with Maxine Brown.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. President 10th Light Horse Brett Ward with Maxine Brown. Credit: Laurie Benson

Hundreds of people stopped on York Street on Monday to remember those who have served or died in armed conflicts as Albany marked its central place in the Anzac story on Remembrance Day.

Floral wreaths were laid at the Albany War Memorial by Liberal MP Rick Wilson, Minister for Veterans Issues and Defence Industry Paul Papalia, Rebecca Stephens MLA, and Louise Kingston MLC.

Wreaths were also laid by students at Albany Secondary Education Support Centre, Albany Senior High School, and North Albany Senior High School.

Albany RSL sub-branch former chief petty officer Steve Edmonds recited The Ode of Remembrance, and David Rastrick performed The Last Post as more than 200 attendees observed a minute of silence.

Mr Papalia said Albany was “a true place of pilgrimage”.

“Albany is as central to the Anzac Day story as Gallipoli and the Western front,” he said.

“This is the place where the first Anzacs met for the very first time on York Street . . . soldiers from New Zealand and Australia would have come together for the very first time and shook hands and met each other prior to departure for the Western Front or for Egypt.

“Today’s service was very moving, a poignant reminder of just how central to the Anzac story Albany is.”

Two planes flew over Albany after a minute’s silence was observed.

In a speech at the service, brigadier David Thomson AM acknowledged and honoured the men and women who have served in Australia’s defence forces.

Mr Thompson acknowledged Albany’s history as a departure point for the first Anzacs in November 1914, many of whom left their families and friends behind.

“Albany is not just a waypoint in history — it is a living memorial,” he said.

About 68,300 people tuned into Radio WAN’s live broadcast at the service.

Albany Aero Club performed a flyover.
Camera IconAlbany Aero Club performed a flyover. Credit: Laurie Benson
Australian Air Force Cadets 705 Squadron formed the catafalque party at the Albany's 2024 Remembrance Day Service.
Camera IconAustralian Air Force Cadets 705 Squadron formed the catafalque party at the Albany's 2024 Remembrance Day Service. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Police Rangers' flag orderlies sergeant Heath Caldwell, 1st class officer Evie Ramsall and 1st class officer Hannah Whitfort.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Police Rangers' flag orderlies sergeant Heath Caldwell, 1st class officer Evie Ramsall and 1st class officer Hannah Whitfort. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. RSL Albany Sub-Branch's Michael Tugwell.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. RSL Albany Sub-Branch's Michael Tugwell. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. President 10th Light Horse Brett Ward.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. President 10th Light Horse Brett Ward. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. AAFC cadet corporal Eli Van Der Snoek.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. AAFC cadet corporal Eli Van Der Snoek. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. AAFC cadet sergeant Pippa Brown.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. AAFC cadet sergeant Pippa Brown. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. RSL Albany Sub-Branch president Rex Hendriks.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. RSL Albany Sub-Branch president Rex Hendriks. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Steve Whittingstall with his dad Cliff Whittingstall.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Steve Whittingstall with his dad Cliff Whittingstall. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Brigadier Geoff Hand AM, RFD (Retired).
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Brigadier Geoff Hand AM, RFD (Retired). Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson, RSL Albany Sub-Branch vice-president Warren Taylor and Senator Dean Smith.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson, RSL Albany Sub-Branch vice-president Warren Taylor and Senator Dean Smith. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Psaul Papalia MLA with Comissioner for Corrective Services Brad Royce.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Psaul Papalia MLA with Comissioner for Corrective Services Brad Royce. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. City of Albany Band's Colin France.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. City of Albany Band's Colin France. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Nationals WA candidate Scott Leary.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Nationals WA candidate Scott Leary. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Denise Fetherstonhaugh with ASHS student's Hamish Clark and Lily Robertson.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Denise Fetherstonhaugh with ASHS student's Hamish Clark and Lily Robertson. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. RSL Albany Sub Branch's Steve Edmondsrecites The Ode.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. RSL Albany Sub Branch's Steve Edmondsrecites The Ode. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. City of Albany Band's David Rastrick.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. City of Albany Band's David Rastrick. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Brigadier David Thompson AM Australian Army.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Brigadier David Thompson AM Australian Army. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. A large crowd gathered for Albany's Remembrance Day service.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. A large crowd gathered for Albany's Remembrance Day service. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Dione Nesbitt.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Dione Nesbitt. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Cadet Flight Sergeant Kaila Brentnall.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Cadet Flight Sergeant Kaila Brentnall. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. A large crowd gathered for Albany's Remembrance Day service.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. A large crowd gathered for Albany's Remembrance Day service. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Australian Air Force Cadets 705 Squadron performed a military drumming display at the end of the service.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. Australian Air Force Cadets 705 Squadron performed a military drumming display at the end of the service. Credit: Laurie Benson
Albany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. President 10th Light Horse Brett Ward, Pauline Taylor and Maxine Brown.
Camera IconAlbany's Remembrance Day Service was held at the War Memorial on York Streeet. President 10th Light Horse Brett Ward, Pauline Taylor and Maxine Brown. Credit: Laurie Benson

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails