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A wreath laying to honour the service and sacrifice of Czechoslovak servicemen

On 29 - 30 October 2022, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic undertook a short tour of duty in Melbourne, where he took part in a solemn and very dignified event to commemorate the Czechoslovaks and Czechs who fought and often made the ultimate sacrifice in the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia in all the wars in which Australia has been involved in the last 100 years. 

 

Australia in all the wars in which Australia has been involved in the last 100 years. Czechoslovaks/Czechs served in the Australian Army in the famous and tragic Battle of Gallipoli and in the trenches of the Western Front during World War I. Then during the Second World War in Europe, North Africa, the Eastern Front and the Middle East. They also served in Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts that followed.

As part of the ceremony, Ambassador Tomas Dub laid a wreath on behalf of the Czech Republic, together with a Slovak representative of the local community, at a special memorial dedicated to Czechoslovaks at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. The Czech/Czechoslovak flag was also raised over the Shrine of Remembrance that day.

The entire ceremony was live streamed on the Shrine of Remembrance's YouTube and their website (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTQ1ftLShRQ)

After the official part of the ceremony was over, Ambassador Tomas Dub met with Czech and Slovak participants of the ceremony for refreshments.

Embassy comment: given Australia's relatively short modern history (since the colonial era) and thus relatively new national identity, its military history plays an extraordinary role in society as it is one of the main sources of Australian national identity. Our compatriots in the service of the Australian Armed Forces are a natural part of this and to this day contribute to the country's reputation and remain in the Australian public eye.