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Friday 11th November 2011

On the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month 2011 millions of people across the world and here in Dannevirke paid there respect with a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day.

A small group along with local schools gathered at the Dannevirke cenotaph this morning to mark Armistice Day. 

Members of the C.M.T stood proud as the schools present Huia Range, Totara College, Dannevirke South School, St Josephs and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Tamaki Nui A Rua all placed a wreath on the centotaph.

On the eleventh hour the fire siren sounded to mark the two-minute silence.

Armistice Day (also sometimes referred to as Remembrance Day) marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War and commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and all wars and armed conflict.
 
The Great War of 1914 to 1918 was one of the most disastrous events in human history.  New Zealand, with a population of 1.1 million in 1914, sent 100,000 men and women abroad. 16,700 died and over 40,000 were wounded – a higher per capita casualty rate than any other country involved. 

The coming of peace on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 brought blessed relief for all involved.
 
On Armistice Day 1918, New Zealand had 58,129 troops in the field, while an additional 10,000 were under training in New Zealand. In total, the troops provided for foreign-service by New Zealand during the War represented 10% of its 1914 population between the ages of 20-45.
 
The signing of the Armistice is observed annually in New Zealand at 11.00 am on 11 November (the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month).  Two minutes silence is observed in memory of those New Zealanders who died while serving their country.  This year is the 93rd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice and will be marked world wide 

   They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
   Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
   At the going down of the sun and in the morning
   We will remember them.

Below Armistice Day marked in Dannevirke.