Fallen soldiers honoured on Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country have been held to mark the 96th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.

Former prime minister John Howard has given a commemorative address at the Australian Warm Memorial at Canberra.

"We honour first and foremost the extraordinary sacrifice of more than 102,000 Australians who have died in the defence of the values of this country and in defence of this country," he said to the crowd.

"We also gather to honour the spirit of Australia which has moved this nation not to go to war to conquer and subjugate, but rather to go to war and defend the vulnerable, and defend the values of which this nation has always proudly stood.

"The sacrifice of Australians that we honour today is quite remarkable. It is a sacrifice as we contemplate the beginning of World War I, a sacrifice in that war which reached extraordinary proportions."

Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lyn lay a wreath on the Remembrance Stone during the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Canberra. Photo: AAP

This year also marks 100 years since the Great War began.

Wearing his great-grandfather's, grandfather's and his own medals, Ian Stevens was among 1000 people who gathered at the Cenotaph in Sydney's CBD.

"I'm the third generation of my family to serve," he said at a service at Sydney's Martin Place.

"This sort of tradition was handed down by my grandfather to make sure that I attend every year.

"Now my grandfather is no longer with us, I'll try to pass that down the line myself."

In Melbourne, about 6000 people turned out at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance to remember Australia's war sacrifice.

The service on Tuesday was marked by a minute's silence and a formal military parade, while the RAAF flew over the shrine.

Bright red poppies were dotted through the crowd and grounds, while flags were lowered to half mast.

The Galleries of Remembrance, a $45 million government-funded redevelopment at the memorial, will also be open to the public for the first time on Tuesday after a formal dedication ceremony.

It comprises 1600 square metres of undercroft space beneath the shine, including exhibition space to showcase Australia's war and peacekeeping history as well as an auditorium and education centre.

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Australia made sacrifices on a stupendous scale in World War I, which was the crucible in which the nation's identity was forged, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says in his Remembrance Day message.

"From a population of under five million, 417,000 enlisted, 332,000 served overseas, 152,000 were wounded and 61,000 never came home," he said in Beijing, where he is attending an APEC summit.

"It was sacrifice on a stupendous scale. Every November 11, Australia renews its vow to never forget the sacrifice.

"We pause to remember the suffering and loss that has occurred in all wars, for we are a country of memory, as well as memorials.

"Today, we will remember the courage, achievements, pain and loss of all who have served in our name.

"And we draw strength from their memory."

Australians all across the country have gathered to pay tribute to our fallen heroes on the 96th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. Photo: Getty Images

Liberal MP Sharman Stone, whose Victorian electorate of Murray had six Victoria Cross recipients in WWI, has encouraged people to pause at 11am and remember those who suffered or died during wars.

"It is just as important to think about those who are serving our country overseas now. We still have troops in Afghanistan who are helping the Afghan army and we have troops on advise-and-assist roles in Iraq," she said.

Dr Stone also encouraged people to buy a poppy to help support RSLs across the country.