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Remembrance Day ceremonies are being held across the country today as people pause to remember diggers who have died in past and present conflicts.
Ceremonies marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, remember the moment when guns fell silent in 1918, ending the hostilities of World War One.
The sombre ceremonies will be commemorated with a minute's silence at 11:00am (local time) at memorial sites across the country.
In Canberra, thousands of people have gathered at the Australian War Memorial for the national ceremony.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Governor-General Quentin Bryce have joined others in laying wreaths at the site.
During the ceremony, 102 school students representing the 102,000 Australian service men and women who have died in wars will lay poppies before a minute of silence is observed.
Nick Fletcher from the War Memorial says a larger than normal crowd is expected, particularly because of good weather and the fact Remembrance Day has fallen on a weekend this year.
The memorial will also unveil nine more names on the roll of honour for those who have died in Afghanistan.
"Remembrance Day is the day when for quite a few years now we have revealed the names of those Australian service men or woman who have died in action over the last 12 months, so there's nine names that have had to be added to the panel this year," Mr Fletcher said.
"Those names will be revealed and the public will be able to see them after the service."
About 3,000 people are expected to take part in today's service in Melbourne.
The service at the Shrine of Remembrance begins at 10:30am AEDT, with Premier Ted Baillieu and Governor Alex Chernov in attendance.
There will be a full military parade and an RAAF flyover, before the main service concludes at about 11:30am.
Members of the public will also be invited to lay a poppy at the shrine.
The Shrine of Remembrance's chief executive, Denis Baguley, says among those taking part in the service will be two special guests from Belgium.
"There are two buglers from Ypres, the Menin Gate buglers, that will play the last post and this'll be the first time that the Menin Gate buglers have played the last post at the shrine on Remembrance Day," he said.
Mr Baguley says the service is a key reminder of the sacrifices Australians have made.
Sydney's major service will be held at the Martin Place cenotaph in the CBD.
New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir and Premier Barry O'Farrell will lay wreaths.
RSL New South Wales president Don Rowe says modern conflicts like the war in Afghanistan mean Remembrance Day will always be important.
"The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is part of our history and just being able to pause and remember those huge sacrifices made during the first world war... and we're only too aware of that continuing on with those serving in our Defence Force at the moment," he said.
A military service will also be held in Armidale, in northern New South Wales, to honour a Gallipoli veteran who was buried in an unmarked grave.
Trooper Harry Fry was a member of the fifth Australian Light Horse Regiment and was wounded during a battle in Turkish-held gun pits.
He was evacuated and returned to Australia before being discharged.
He died a pauper in 1929 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Armidale.
Warrant Officer Wayne Bulmer from the Hunter River Lancers says a lot of work was required to find his resting place.
"His great-grand niece, Mrs Lila Vincent, she has been searching for him for around 15 years," he said.
"The graveside documents were destroyed in a fire at the Armidale cemetery caretakers hut back in the 1960s, but Mr Bill Oates and staff at the New England Heritage society, they managed to locate a copy and were able to identify where Harry's resting place was."
Mr Bulmer says it is rare for someone to still be in an unmarked grave today.
"Especially who is a Gallipoli veteran who is buried here in our local community, so it is a great story and it is an honour to take part in this and pay our respects to a Gallipoli veteran," he said.
More than 130 Remembrance Day services are being held across Queensland.
The biggest will be in Brisbane's Anzac Square starting at 10:40am AEST.
RSL Queensland CEO Chris McHugh says it is an important time to remember the seven Australian soldiers killed this year, including three based in Brisbane who died in August.
"Remembrance Day has always been a day probably a more sombre day than Anzac Day - remembering people who have gone before us and let's not forget the families who are still here and the wounded who are still here," he said.
"They come back from the war but for a lot of people the battle then starts after they've come home."
Topics: world-war-1, australia, act, nsw, vic, qld, brisbane-4000, melbourne-3000, sydney-2000, armidale-2350, canberra-2600
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