A flame lit on the centenary of Anzac Day was extinguished in recognition of the sacrifices made in World War I.

At Sunday’s service at Launceston’s Holy Trinity Anglican Church, a brief interlude saw a flame of remembrance out by assistant priest Reverend Ken Box at 11am.

The flame was lit from the Easter candle in 2014 on the centenary of Anzac Day.

Following the flame being put out, a silence ensued. 

Breaking the silence was Launceston RSL Pipe and Drum Pipe Sergeant Kent Fisher, who played the well-known pipe tune The Battle’s O’er alongside the ringing of the church bells.

Church rector Archdeacon Dane Courtney spoke of the sacrifices made by those who served in the conflict, and of the untold suffering they had to endure.

He said the flame was a “visual reminder of the light Christ brought into the world”.

On the northern wall of the chapel, near where the flame once burned, was a large memorial honour plaque listing the names of WWI servicemen who were also parishioners of the church.

It was believed to be one of the largest WWI church-based memorials in Australia.

It was one of the first memorials to be created at the end of the war, being dedicated in December 1918.

“Our honour board attests to the large number of our parishioners who served their country in the Great War and it seemed fitting to acknowledge both them and others from Tasmania by having the flame burn from 2014 to 2018 to mark the length of the hostilities,” Reverend Box said.

“As part of our commemorative efforts we have also, with the assistance of a Commonwealth grant, produced a book recording the service and biographies of those named on the honour board to help the current generation appreciate the commitment and sacrifice of their forebears.”