Australian Embassy
Belgium, Luxembourg and Mission to the European Union and NATO

Events-Commemorations-LastPost

The Last Post Association

 

The Last Post that is the traditional salute to the fallen warrior, has been played every evening since 1928, at precisely 20h00 under the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres/Ieper.

This daily tribute - performed by a team of local buglers - serves to honour the memory of the soldiers of the British Empire, who fought and died in the immortal Ypres Salient during the First World War.

The idea for the 'Last Post' ceremony came from a one-time superintendent of police and the practice began in summer 1928. It was discontinued in October of that year but restarted on 11 November 1929. With the exception of a break during the German occupation of Ypres (20 May 1940 to 6 September 1944), it has continued ever since. On the day the Germans left the city, the 'Last Post' was played at the Menin Gate that very evening.

The Last Post Association is a purely voluntary and wholly independent body. For more information check the Last Post Association's website on: www.lastpost.be.