ADF participate in Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony

The Australian Defence Force participated in a Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, on yesterday, on the eve of the centenary of the Battle of Polygon Wood.

The commemorative service was held to honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the Battle of Polygon Wood, “Passchendaele”, in Belgium in 1917.

Every night at 8pm under the Menin Gate in Ieper – Ypres, the Last Post is blown by buglers from the local volunteer fire brigade.

Traffic is halted and the buglers step into the roadway under the memorial arch for a brief ceremony – extended on special occasions.

The first sounding of Last Post took place on 1 July 1928, but it hasn’t always been a daily ritual.

The Battle of Polygon Wood was a component of the Third Battle of Ypres, or ‘Passchendaele’, and was the 5th Australian Division’s first major battle in Belgium.

While the battle was considered a success for the AIF, it cost 5770 Australian casualties.

The ADF supported the commemoration by providing a Catafalque Party and wreath and flag orderlies from Australia’s Federation Guard; an Australian Army Chaplain and the Army Band.

 

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