Remembrance Day pride passed through generations

Sir Neville Howse, a doctor, was sent to South Africa in 1900 and was the first Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross, for saving a wounded soldier under heavy crossfire.

Mr Howse's mother, Valerie, spent 30 years volunteering as a guide at the Australian War Memorial before she died last year and she had always taken on the role of organising the family to go to memorial events.

''I said to her 'mum, when you go, don't worry, we'll … make sure things continue','' he said.

Mr Howse said he grew up hearing stories about his grandfather, who died before he was born, and learnt more from books written about him. It is an interest he has passed down to his children and grandchildren.

''It's to give them a sense of pride in what this country's achieved in its short history and what these people did,'' he said.

For Mr Howse, Remembrance Day is also an opportunity to reflect on what could have been. The small businessman was called up to serve in the Vietnam War but did not go because of health reasons.

''It's a very humbling experience, for those who haven't gone off and fought in a war,'' he said. ''It's very hard to fathom what it's really like.''

At the Remembrance Day proceedings at the Australian War Memorial, a plaque will be unveiled at the entrance of the Hall of Memory inscribed with the words of former prime minister Paul Keating's eulogy, delivered in 1993, for the Unknown Australian Soldier. The memorial planned to remove the words ''Known Unto God'' from the tomb of the unknown soldier but, after an outcry, reversed the decision.

Mr Howse said he did not have strong opinions on the words.

''People can take anything they like out of wording,'' he said. ''Their God could be anyone.''

The National Remembrance Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial will begin at 10.15am and run until noon but organisers suggest visitors arrive by 9.45am. There will be standing room but visitors can bring chairs or rugs.

At the Last Post ceremony at 4.55pm, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG will read the eulogy for the Unknown Australian Soldier, first delivered by Paul Keating in 1993, in the Commemorative Area.