Armistice Day not forgotten but a mystery to teens

Armistice Day celebrations in Dunedin in 1956. The Evening Star's associated article says attendance was low at this ceremony.

When the clock strikes the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, most Dunedin people probably will not even notice.

Life will go on in the Octagon, in George St, in Princes St. The traffic will continue moving and it will be unlikely you will see anyone who has stopped for two minutes' silence.

This week, the Otago Daily Times asked 30 Dunedin high school pupils aged 13 to 17 if they knew what Armistice Day was.

Two did; the other 28 could not even guess.

Former Dunedin man Stephen Clarke (40), RSA historian and newly-appointed chief executive of the national RSA, said Armistice Day had not died a natural death.

In fact, it was enjoying something of a resurgence. And rightly so - there was a lot not to forget.

Certainly, the observance of the day has changed. Fifty years ago, activity in New Zealand stopped for two minutes on November 11, Dr Clarke said. That did not happen now.

It was of concern, but not surprising, that only two of the 30 Dunedin teenagers knew what Armistice Day was, as it had long since been surpassed by Anzac Day as New Zealand's day of remembrance, he said.

"Absolutely. Anzac Day is New Zealand and Australia's day. There is a real grass-roots movement behind it. It will always be the community's day."

To many New Zealanders today, especially young people, the First World War happened literally generations ago, he said.

When Armistice Day was introduced, the war was fresh in people's minds and the emotions so raw it was at least as important as Anzac Day.

But observation of the day had dwindled over the years as war and the loss that went with it became distant from most people's experience.

Confusion also clouded the issue, with Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday in November, for remembering all those who served in wars) introduced in the late 1940s to replace Armistice Day, and a more recent push for a return to commemorating Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) on November 11, retaining Remembrance Sunday.

Both days were still relevant to New Zealanders in 2008, Dr Clarke saidArmistice Day was a reminder of World War 1, of how horrendous war was, of the cruelties and sacrifices of war.

It was also always appropriate and relevant to remember wars in which so many died, the impact that had on people and on shaping the country.

"We still can't forget."

But, in recent years, remembrance outside Anzac Day was regaining popularity, thanks partly to the energy of a new generation of returned servicemen and women and leaders.

Armistice Day in particular was increasingly becoming an occasion on which to reflect on veterans' sacrifices with major national projects such as the interment of the unknown soldier at the National War Memorial in 2004 and the dedication of the New Zealand memorial in Hyde Park in London in 2006.

It was appropriate Armistice Day was used as such because Anzac Day was so crowded and community-oriented, Dr Clarke said.

It was also positive to see veterans' parades becoming more celebratory than solemn.

"Now, we see people applauding veterans, where years ago people would have kept their hands in their pockets. It has become a celebration of our sense of identity and a celebration of veterans, which is good."

It would not be a great tragedy if Armistice Day never took on the significance of Anzac Day in New Zealand, he said.

"It's never going to be quite so strong. And rightly so. Anzac Day is New Zealand's day and Armistice Day was established as an Empire-wide day of remembrance."

But it should not die, and using it as an occasion for quiet public reflection and major events with a national focus should ensure it continues to endure.

At 11am on Tuesday, Dr Clarke will be standing outside the National War Memorial in Wellington paying his respects with several hundred other people.

Where will you be?