Remembrance Events RSL Symbolism
RSL Badge Symbolism:
At the top of the badge is the Crown signifying allegiance to Queen and country. Below the crown are the national flowers of Australia, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland – the wattle, the leek, the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock.
In the centre of the badge are a sailor, soldier, an airman and service woman who are marching with their arms linked, symbolising friendship and that all services, and all ranks, are united in comradeship.
The red of the badge is symbolic of the blood tie of war. The white background stands for the purity of motive – and to render service without personal gain. The blue is a symbol of willingness to render service to a comrade anywhere under the blue sky.
The badge may only be worn by members of the League.
Semaphore and Port Adelaide Colours and Symbolism
Borrowing some elements from the RSL Badge the Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL Sub-Branch Symbol /Colours / Logo has the following meanings:
- The RSL Badge sits alongside the Sub-Branch symbolising close ties and unity.
- The White background or white stroke stands for the purity of motive – and to render service without personal gain.
- The Blue is a symbol of willingness to render service to a comrade anywhere under the Blue sky.
- The Tunnis / Yellow are the symbol of the honour and merit of the organisation.
- The Grey is the link that Unites them ALL.
All three services are represented in the Sub-Branches Symbol /Colours / Logo in the following way:
- Navy – Grey is for the Ships that protect our Water
- Army – Tunnis / yellow is for the Land they defend
- Air force - Blue is for the Skies they keep free
This symbolises that the Sub-Branch is there for all men and women of the services, to offer Welfare, Advocacy and Representation, Assistance, Commemoration, Remembrance and are united in camaraderie and mate-ship.
The Blue, White and Grey are the Colours of the 2/48th Battalion’s Patch.
Australia’s highest decorated unit in World War II, awarded four Victoria Crosses (three of them posthumously) and more than 80 other decorations. The 2/48th is where Lieutenant Thomas Currie “Diver” Derrick VC, DCM served. Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL Sub-Branch is the home of the Thomas Currie “Diver” Derrick Memorial Hall
The Tunnis / Yellow are the Colours of the sands of “Tobruk”, “Tel el Eise”, “El Alamein” and of Iraq and Afghanistan symbolising old and new RSL.
Military colours
In the armed services, “colours” refer to the flag of an infantry regiment or AIF infantry battalion (ground units of an army), which are symbolic of the spirit of the men who fought under them. Colours are treated with great respect by the unit and are symbolic of everything that is great, noble, and chivalrous. They are symbolic of two loyalties. The Queen’s Colour signifies loyalty to the crown, the British Commonwealth, and the nation. The regimental colour embodies loyalty to the regiment and comradeship. Whenever colours are paraded they are given the honour of a royal salute. Read more about Military Colours
According to the RSL handbook, an 18th century writer recorded the following colours and their military meanings:
For honour, which must never be in question
For wisdom and sobriety
For faith and constancy
For innocence and truth
For justice
For good hope
For merit
For fortitude and discretion
Military Patches
R.S.L Commemoration Ceremonies
Wherever possible, RSL commemoration ceremonies should follow a standard order of service At the appropriate time of the commemoration the sequence of events for RSL ceremonies shall be as follows:
Introduction
After a march to the place of service, there should be a brief talk about what we are commemorateing.
Requiem
ANZAC Requiem originally written by Charles Bean in 1944. The Requiem highlights the achievements of all those Australians who died
On this day, above all days, we remember all those who served our nation in times of war.
We remember with pride their courage, their compassion and their comradeship. We remember what they accomplished for Australia, and indeed for the freedom of mankind.
We honour those who died or were disabled in the tragedy of war. They adorn our nation’s history.
We remember those who fell amidst the valleys and ridges of Gallipoli, on the terraced hills of Palestine, in France and Belgium, on the sands of the North African desert, amidst the mountains and olive groves of Greece, Crete and Syria, in the skies over Europe, in Singapore, in the jungles of Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, in Korea and Vietnam, in later conflicts and in peacekeeping, in the skies and seas in many parts of the world, and on our own soil and in our sea lanes.
We remember those who suffered as prisoners of war, and those who died in captivity.
We remember staunch friends and allies, especially those who fought alongside us on that first day on Gallipoli in 1915.
Our Servicemen and women have left us a splendid heritage. May we and our successors prove worthy of their sacrifice.
Catafalque Party is Mounted
Traditionally a catafalque was a support for a coffin, but it has come to mean a tomb. A catafalque party was originally posted to guard a coffin from theft or desecration. It now performs a ceremonial role in honouring the dead, with a guard of service personnel posted at the four corners of the catafalque. At this point in the ceremony the catafalque party takes their positions, facing outwards with their rifles reversed in a traditional display of mourning
Commemorative Address
The address is to commemorate those soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Australia and to honour their memory.
Hymn or Prayer / Reading or Poem
The reading of a poem helps the audience to understand the wartime experiences of service men and women. See Poems and Words of Inspiration
Wreath laying or laying poppies
Flowers have traditionally been laid on graves and memorials in memory of the dead. Laurel and rosemary have been associated with remembrance, and since the Great War the poppy has become a powerful symbol used in commemoration.
The Ode
The Ode shall be spoken by the designated person.
'They shall grow not old, (short pause)
As we that are left grow old, (longer pause)
Age shall not weary them, (short pause)
Nor the years condemn, (longer pause)
At the going down of the sun, (short pause)
And in the morning, (longer pause)
We will remember them. (short pause)
The gathering repeats 'We will remember them.'
The Last Post
The Last Post is a bugle call which signals the end of the day. It became incorporated into funeral and memorial services as a final farewell and symbolises that the duty of the dead is over and that they can rest in peace.
One Minute SIlence
A period of One minute silence shall then be observed. The designated person shall say 'Lest We Forget' and the gathering will repeat 'Lest We Forget'. After the period of silence, the flag is raised to the top of the flagpole Rouse or Reveille shall then be played.
Rouse
The Rouse signifies that after the period of mourning, life and duty continue (for daytime ceremonies).
Reveille
The Reveille signifying the beginning of the day (for dawn ceremonies).Reveille woke soldiers at dawn and was performed on drum and fife (a high-pitched flute). At Anzac Day dawn services, it is usually performed on a bugle or solo trumpet.
National Anthem
Advance Australia Fair is sung to conclude the ceremony:
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Catafalque Party Dismounts
The ceremony is ended. The words 'thank you' shall NOT be spoken to end the ceremony.
The Poppy
During the First World War, red poppies were among the first living plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. Soldiers told the story that the poppies were vivid red because they had been nurtured in ground drenched with the blood of the soldiers’ comrades. The sight of the poppies on the battlefield at Ypres in 1915 moved Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian, to write the poem “In Flanders fields”. Flanders poppies also featured prominently in several other literary responses to the destruction on the Western Front. During the First World War, the poppy took on powerful symbolism – that of sacrifice. The poppy soon became widely accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance. It has been a part of commemoration ritual since the early 1920s and continues to be used for this purpose today. Wearing a poppy (on the left breast or lapel) is more common in Australia on and around Remembrance Day, 11th November.
Rosemary
Rosemary has been recognised since Roman times as an aid in improving memory, and has also been used as a symbol of remembrance. It is worn during weddings, war commemorations, and funerals in Europe, probably as a result of this reputation. Mourners would often throw rosemary into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance ...” Today rosemary is worn in commemorative ceremonies for this very purpose.
Rosemary grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula and has a long-standing association with ANZAC Day. Its usage has increased in popularity on ANZAC Day 25th April. It is traditional to wear a sprig of rosemary on the lapel or breast (the left side is more common) or held in place by medals.
Wattle
Wattle is a more recent symbol of remembrance. It is a uniquely Australian symbol used to commemorate the 102,000 Australians who have died as a result of war.
