PLANS are under way to for the 1/19 Battalion of the Royal NSW Regiment to take part in a special ceremony as Bathurst prepares to mark the centenary of Armistice Day next month.
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Sunday, November 11 will mark 100 years since the signing of the armistice that ended World War 1.
But Bathurst is planning a full weekend of events to mark the centenary, with the 1/19 Battalion of the Royal NSW Regiment (The Bushman’s Rifle) to exercise its right of Freedom of Entry into Bathurst on Saturday, November 10.
The Freedom of Entry march will involve up to 200 members of the 1/19 Battalion and the march will start in Keppel Street before making its way along William Street.
The official challenge for Freedom of Entry will take place on the corner of Russell and William Streets at noon before the official ceremony at the carillon.
Bathurst RSL sub branch and Bathurst Regional Council are currently finalising plans for the Freedom of Entry to the city.
Mayor Graeme Hanger said members of the community were encouraged to gather in Kings Parade for the ceremony.
“Freedom of Entry is an honour awarded by the city and it is a colourful spectacle and a tradition that dates back centuries,” Cr Hanger said.
Freedom of the City is an ancient honour that can be granted to military organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city “with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed”.
This honour dates back to ancient Rome but today martial freedom of the city is an entirely ceremonial honour, usually bestowed upon a unit with historic ties to the area, as a token of appreciation for their long and dedicated service.
Bathurst RSL sub-branch President David Mills said the 1/19 Battalion had served our community with distinction and he encouraged the community to honour their service and sacrifice by attending the parade.
The men and women of 1/19 Battalion were previously granted the Freedom of Entry to Bathurst in 2009.
That came after after an original offer of entry was made in 1969 and then again in the 1990s.
Bathurst’s Remembrance Day services will start at 10.15am on Sunday, November 11.
