Remembrance Day at Hall
11 November 2012
A lone piper, the setting sun, the rustle of leaves in the trees above, the chatter of friends and neighbours waiting for the
ceremony to begin. Remembrance Day at Hall.
The ceremony, ably conducted by Dennis Greenwood and Bill Pearson, was again well supported and and much appreciated by those who gathered at the Memorial Grove - carefully spruced up by the Rotary Club of Hall for the occasion.
After a welcome from Rotary President Brian Goldstraw, Col Ian Ahearn gave the 'Address of Armistice Day' - and reminded us of the origins of our 'Remembrance Day'. Prayers were lead by Pastor Bernie Rodgers and Rev Trish Stuart-Smith of St Michael and All Angels before wreaths were laid.
Wreaths were laid by representatives from the Village of Hall and District Progress Association, the Rotary Club of Hall and the Hall Rural Bush Fire Brigade. A number of others present added posies and wreaths, including Joan Christie, a descendant of the Kinlyside family.
Alastair Crombie then introduced the song 'Uncle Clyde', written by Australia singer / song-writer Denis Kevans as a tribute to his great uncle, Clyde Hollingsworth, who died in action at Bullecourt in 1917 (see separate news item). Clyde was also great uncle to Joan Christie. The song was especially recorded for this ceremony by folk singer Sonia Bennett. Many thanks are due to Sonia, and to Denis' daughter Sophia, for making it possible to include the song in our ceremony. Click here to listen to the song 'Uncle Clyde'.
The ceremony concluded in the usual way with the Last Post, a minutes silence, followed by the 'Rouse' and the national anthem - lead with style by Ralph Southwell. By tradition, the ceremony was followed by an orderly retreat to the Wood Duck Inn.
Congratulations and thanks to the Rotary Club of Hall for making this such a valued part of the annual Hall calendar.
[Our photo shows Rotary President Brian Goldstraw with Jack and Joan Christie - Clyde Hollingsworth was her great Uncle]