The 11am thing in the UK is 'cos the WW1 ceasefire specifically specified that the war would stop at 11am. Bet the families of those killed between dawn and 10:59am on 11th Nov weren't too impressed by yet another piece of contrived symbolism by the generals.

I went to the Anzac Day dawn service in Perth last year (Fran was still jet-lagged - she was for most of our trip); it was amazing, especially as the location in Perth - right next to botanical gardens - was so beautiful. Very different atmosphere to UK Rememberence Day, as you pointed out.

CJ (DW-less for now)