[Editor: This article, about Poppy Day (Armistice Day; later known as Remembrance Day), was published in The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.), 10 November 1944.]
Poppy Day
To those of riper years in whose memory is still fresh the horrors of the great conflict of 1914-1918, Poppy Day has its solemn significance. Others have their remembrance of a proud of glorious sacrifice, but to the Digger Poppy Day is another reminder of his sacred pledge to his fallen comrades to “carry on.”
The anniversary of Armistice Day will be celebrated today with all its significance and as that day, which symbolised the cessation of hostilities between warring nations, brought peace to countless anxious homes, so do the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia attempt to perpetuate the spirit exemplified on that epoch-making occasion.
As the years pass by it has been increasingly difficult for the RSSAILA to carry on its self-appointed humanitarian work of attempting to alleviate to some extent the distress and misery that exists in the ranks of ex-servicemen and their dependents.
With the nation again in the midst of another world war, the work of the league has increased considerably, and to supplement the Distressed Diggers’ Fund, Poppies bearing the official League tag “Lest We Forget” will be sold in the city today.
Buy and wear a Poppy today in memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in Flanders Fields, Gallipoli, New Guinea, the Middle East and other theatres of war. Help the cause and honour those who honoured Australia.
Source:
The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.), 10 November 1944, p. 4
Editor’s notes:
The text of the 1st paragraph of this article, and much of the 4th and 5th paragraphs, was taken from an article about the same subject, published 12 years prior. See: “Poppy Day: Benefit of Diggers”, The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.), 11 November 1932, p. 8
Digger = an Australian soldier (a slang word which originated during World War One); in later usage, can also refer to a friend or mate
Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia = an organisation founded in 1916, dedicated to the welfare and well-being of returned servicemen; the organisation was originally known as the Returned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA), the name was changed to the Returned Sailors’, Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia (RSSAILA) in 1940, it became the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL) in 1965, and then became the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) in 1990
See: 1) “A Historical Perspective of the RSL”, Emu Park RSL Sub Branch
2) “Returned and Services League of Australia”, Wikipedia
[Editor: Changed “allveiate” to “alleviate”.]
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