100 years on - The Armistice of 1918

British troops arrive in Cologne following the Armistice 1918

The Armistice to cease hostilities between the Central Powers and the Allies came into effect at 11 am  on the 11th November 1918 however it had only been signed by representatives at 5 am that same day. On that final morning prior to 11am slightly over 10,000 were still killed in conflict as commanders, mainly Allied, sought to gain territory prior to the cessation of hostilities. The Armistice had to be extended three more times until a peace treaty was finally concluded on 10 January 1920 with the Treaty of Versailles.

The cost for Australia in terms of lives lost in World War 1 was very high:

• 416,809 enlisted
• 62,000 killed
• 156,000 wounded

It would only be twenty-one years later than another World War would commence.

Lest we forget.