Post by Tamrin on Nov 11, 2008 5:46:11 GMT 10
Originally called Armistice Day, this day commemorated the end of the hostilities for the Great War (World War I), the signing of the armistice, which occurred on 11 November 1918 - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was observed by the Allies as a way of remembering those who died, especially soldiers with 'no known grave'.
On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute's silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. In London, in 1920, the commemoration was given added significance with the return of the remains of an unknown soldier from the battlefields of the Western Front.
On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute's silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. In London, in 1920, the commemoration was given added significance with the return of the remains of an unknown soldier from the battlefields of the Western Front.
This bronze group is symbolic of the triumph of youthful heroism over evil. Two war-weary Australian soldiers, one in the full fighting equipment of the French trenches, the other representative of the Light Horse of Palestine, are placed at the base of the sculpture. Bowed down with fatigue, they support on their shoulders the weight of an immense bird, which has the attributes of an eagle combined with those of a vulture, symbolic of the Spirit of War. The bird struggles to avert the deadly thrust of the long, two-handed sword held by the youth. This central figure is portrayed naked (except for a close-fitting headpiece and armour about his loins) to suggest the spirit of youthful heroism. In showing his hero near-naked, Lambert transformed the orthodox images of the slayer, such as those of Saint George, to create a work about the Allied victory over the Germans on one level and the human conquest over the warlike spirit on another.