Public attendance rose for Balclutha’s Armistice Day commemoration last Friday, November 11. In glorious sunshine, the public ceremony included wreath laying, the ode of remembrance, solemn trumpeting of the Last Post , a minute’s silence and an address by retired lieutenant-colonel Kevin Baff, of Stirling. ‘‘On this day, 104 years after the guns fell silent at 1100 hours on 11 November 1918, we pause to remember those whose names are forever inscribed on our cenotaph here in Balclutha. They made the ultimate sacrifice,’’ Mr Baff said. He then read an honour roll of 64 local men who lost their lives. ‘‘RSA has always observed Armistice Day,’’ Balclutha RSA’s Barry Gooch said. ‘‘We’d like to see a tradition of the public joining us. Last year about eight came along. This year there were 22, and almost all came together with us at the RSA rooms afterwards.’’ PHOTO: BARRY GOOCH / REPORT: NICK BROOK
