11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

The small gathering at the War Memorial were showered in jacaranda flowers from one of the last remaining trees planted in memory of the 21 Wilcannia and District men who did not return from World War 1 during this morning’s Remembrance Day service.

The subject of this year’s address was Christie Walter Allison Jones. Christie left his home and family in Hood Street in April 1916, died in the mud and horror of the Somme in November 1916, his body was never found. He was only 18.

Wilcannia Police Inspector Barry Roberts, laid the wreath for the Great War and Seargent Shawn Tilley laid the sheaf of oats in memory of the horses lost in war. Central School students Myla and Zhayle laid the school’s wreath and then read the poem “In Flanders Fields”.

From the organisers, thanks to Sister Elizabeth Young for leading the prayers, the police, for their innovative help with the broken flag pole, both schools and the locals who attended and all who helped with set up and pack up.

This article appeared in Wilcannia News, 11 November 2025.