It was at country shows such as Dungog that many of Australia’s famed Australian Light Horse showed off their horsemanship to the delight of admiring fans.
That carefree spirit and highly-tuned relationship between rider and horse was honoured at Dungog Show in a Remembrance Day service led by members of the Australian Light Horse Association.
Resplendent in their emu-plumed slouch hats and ammunition bandoliers strapped across their chests, lLight horsemen Jamie Banister, Jason Jenkins and Jon May-Steer were joined by young riders from the Dungog Show in a moving ceremony.
As one showgoers stopped and stood to mark the minute’s silence to remember Australian servicemen and women who paid the ultimate price in armed conflicts from World War I to Australia’s latest military roles in the Middle East.
People in Maitland, Cessnock and surrounds also took time out of their Saturday to stop and reflect.
At 11am, on the 99th anniversary of the end of World War I, residents commemorated Remembrance Day at a number of services across the area.
For those who couldn’t get to the service, here’s your chance to take a minute by yourself to remember the sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women.
Watch the video from the Maitland Park service below.
Related content – A 21st birthday at war
JOHN Fenwick can still remember the panic that came over Darwin every time the Japanese bombers flew over.
“Every time the moon was out, over came the Japanese,” the 96-year-old from East Maitland recalled.
He spent 14 months in Darwin during World War II, including a hectic year-long period when there were 65 Japanese bombing raids.
There were plenty of close calls for the 21-year-old.
Read more: A special day like no other
