The Powerful Last Post Ceremony an act of Homage
Remembering Sacrifice: Exploring the Last Post Ceremony and the Menin Gate in Ypres
Ypres or Ieper (with an i)
Ypres, a quaint Belgian town, carries within its cobblestone streets the weight of history. Nestled in the heart of Flanders, it became a focal point during the First World War. Witness to some of the conflict’s most brutal battles. Today, amidst its charming architecture and bustling markets, two landmarks stand as solemn reminders of that tumultuous period: the Menin Gate and the Last Post ceremony.
The Menin Gate: A Monument of Remembrance
Standing tall and imposing, the Menin Gate is not just a structure of stone and mortar. It’s a testament to the sacrifices made during the Great War. Built between 1921 and 1927, the gate bears the names of over 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers who perished in the Ypres Salient but have no known grave. Its solemn arches serve as a perpetual memorial, ensuring that those who fought and fell are never forgotten.
Rudyard Kipling wrote the famous inscription which can be read on the walls.
‘TO THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO STOOD HERE
FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE‘
And above the staircase arches, the following:
‘HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL IN YPRES SALIENT, BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNES OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH‘
– Kipling
Sadly the gates are shrouded in cloth when we visit undergoing renovation.
The Powerful Last Post Ceremony: Honouring the Fallen
Every evening since 1928, save for the years of German occupation during World War II, the cobblestone streets around the Menin Gate have echoed with the haunting strains of the Last Post.
When is the Last Post Ceremony?
Every evening at 8pm
Where doe the Last Post Ceremony take place?
The Menin Gate, Ypres
What does it cost to witness the Last Post Ceremony?
Free (just get there early)
Order of the Ceremony of The Last Post
- Call to attention
- Last Post (buglers)
- Exhortation (from ‘For the Fallen’ by L. Binyon)
- 1 minutes silence
- Laying of wreaths
- Reveille (buglers)
Who runs or organises the Last Post Ceremony?
Who are the buglers who perform at the Last Post Ceremony?
Members of the Local Fire Brigade
What to expect at the Last Post Ceremony in Ypres
As dusk descends upon Ypres, crowds gather at the Menin Gate. We are all drawn by a shared desire to pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Against the backdrop of fading light, buglers from the local fire brigade sound the Last Post. The mournful notes pierce the silence.
In that moment, time seems to stand still as visitors from around the world come together to honour the memory of the fallen.
The Last Post Ceremony an act of Homage -In Conclusion the Last Post Ceremony, Ypres
In a world marked by constant change, places like the Menin Gate and the Last Post ceremony serve as anchors to our shared past. They remind us of the enduring cost of conflict and the importance of remembrance in shaping our collective future. As visitors from across the globe gather beneath its arches, the Menin Gate stands as a timeless symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of memory.
For more wee wild adventure ideas in Belgium
Free Cycle Route Ypres WW1 Sites North
Free Cycle Route Ypres WW1 Sites South
For more World War Exploration