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

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.