Significance for WA of entombment of Unknown Soldier

11/11/93

Premier Richard Court said that the entombment in Canberra today of the Unknown Soldier had special significance for all Western Australians.

The Premier said more than 6,000 WA soldiers died during World War I, or nearly one in every five that enlisted, which was the highest death rate recorded in the Australian Army.

"The number of WA soldiers who died during World War I represented roughly one in twenty five of the entire State's male population at that time," he said.

"One in every five male adults in WA enlisted for World War I, which was a significantly higher proportion than in any other State.

"Nearly as many soldiers from WA died during World War I as did Western Australians in World War II and the Korean, Malaysian, Borneo and Vietnam conflicts combined.

"The human contribution of Western Australians during World War I is further underlined by the fact that more than one quarter of the Australian soldiers selected to land at Gallipoli were Western Australians.  Four years later only one in four of these troops had escaped death or severe injury.

"Ten Victoria Crosses were awarded to Western Australians for bravery during World War I - proportionally the highest of any Australian State.

"The Australian Army in turn was awarded more Victoria Crosses on a numbers ratio than any part of the British army."

Mr Court said that while many of these events occurred more than 75 year ago, the personal contribution of these soldiers should never be forgotten.

"Nearly 13,000 Western Australians have died in major conflicts during this century," he said.

"All these people deserve our respect and our admiration.

"The entombment of the Unknown Soldier will be a unique occasion to honour and remember all Australians who have fought and died in war.

"As a mark of respect for Remembrance Day, State Government departments and authorities will fly flags at half-mast and public servants will be asked to observe a period of two minutes silence at 11 am wherever possible."