While there may have been no official Remembrance Day service today due to COVID-19, that didn’t stop people across the Douglas Shire from pausing at 11:00am on 11 November to honour those who served in war.

At the Mossman Cenotaph a small group, including the Mayor and Councillors, gathered to lay a wreath and pay their respects.

Today marks the 102nd anniversary of the Armistice which ended World War I in 1918.

More than 220 local soldiers enlisted in World War 1, including the 41 who died on the battlefield.

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Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said it was important to stop and reflect.

“It’s an important day for all our veterans, especially our local veterans in the Shire,” she said.

“Hopefully next year we will be able to have a bigger event and continue to pay our respects.”

Rose Kettles was in attendance and placed flowers on the Cenotaph on behalf of the Mossman CWA.

Ms Kettles said every year on both Anzac and Remembrance Day she remembered those close to her heart.

“My father was in the Army, two of my cousins were killed in the First World War, and My father’s brother was at Tobruk.

“It’s something I always do.”

Douglas Shire Council and Mossman RSL flew their flags at half-mast to commemorate, however, due to COVID-19 the RSL decided not to hold the usual service to protect vulnerable veterans.

Michael Peter also laid flowers in Mossman and said even without a ceremony to mark the occasion, it was important the day was not forgotten.

“I came down to pay my respects because I think people are forgetting.

“These guys fought for our country for us.

“They were sent off to war and sent into machine guns and cannon fire and we lost 62,000 people and 140,000 plus were injured, so it was a big deal,” he said.

Schools across the region also stopped to pause for a minutes silence to acknowledge the special day.