Last Post Association

[Chris_Baker]

I am sure members will be interested to see the latest newsletter from the Last Post Association.

I have a Dutch language version. If anyone would like a copy please email or PM me.

Newsletter of the Last Post Association - Ieper, Belgium

October 2003 - n° 2

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1. Armistice Day - 11th November 2003

As in previous years, the official ceremony for Armistice Day will take place at the Menin Gate on 11th November at 1100 hours.

Programme of the day:

08.45 Ceremony at the French cemetery of St-Charles de Potyze

09.30 Holy Mass at the St Martins Cathedral; Service in St. George's

10.15 Departure Poppy Parade British and foreign associations

10.30 Brief ceremony at the Belgian Monument

11.00 Ceremony at the Menin Gate

12.00 Official reception and speeches in the Conference Chamber of the Town Hall. Prize-giving for the Last Post Association Essay Competition

The Last Post Association offers a reserved area for honorary members inside the Menin Gate for the Armistice Day ceremony on 11th November at 1100 hours.

Tickets are available at the following addresses:

Benoit Mottrie

Meenseweg 214

8900 Ieper

Tel. 0477/27.00.61

Jackie Platteeuw

Gildenstraat 10

8900 Ieper

Tel.: 0475/53.42.84

[Jacky is of course a member of this forum, so you can find him and email him in the Members area]

2. Special Last Post ceremonies during the 11th November weekend (8, 9, 10 and 11/11)

This year several special Last Post ceremonies will once again take place between the 8th and 11th November on the occasion of Armistice Day. At least 2 WWI-veterans will be present: Mr Arthur Halestrap, Royal Engineers (Sigs), aged 104 and Mr Harry Patch, 7th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, aged 105 (who was wounded on the Pilkem Ridge in October, 1917).

The calendar for these days (subject to possible last minute changes) is as follows:

8 November The Invicta Singers

9 November The Invicta Singers

Leith Pipe and Military Band

Liverpool Scottisch Pipe and Drums

Piper King's Own Scottish Borderers (lament)

Mr Harry Patch, WW1 veteran (exhortation)

10 November The Invicta Singers

A.C.F. Greater Manchester Band

Heilige Familie Drumband

Devonshire Fire Brigade Band

Piper King's Own Scottish Borderers (lament)

Mr Arthur Halestrap, WW1 veteran (exhortation)

11 November 1100 hrs. Extended Armistice Day ceremony

11 November 2000 hrs Devonshire Fire Brigade Band

Piper King's Own Scottish Borderers (lament)

More details are available on the Last Post Association website:

3. Last Post Association Essay Competition

For the seventh year the Last Post Association is organising an essay competition for local schools. The aim is to make young people more familiar with the aims and ideals for which the Association stands: i.e. eternal gratitude toward the soldiers of the British Empire who fought for the restoration of peace and the freedom of Belgium. The theme of this years competition is: "Their name liveth for evermore".

The prize-giving will take place during the official reception in the Town Hall, following the 1100 hours ceremony on 11 November. The prizes have been kindly donated by various Commonwealth embassies, the Town of Ieper, the Ieper service clubs, the Hodge Fund (set up by the family Calvert-Hodge, the W.Keith-Rotary Funds and other generous sponsors.

4. Last Post Association brochure

The brochure of the Last Post Association is being reprinted and will soon be available in both English and Dutch.

5. Menin Gate replica

On Saturday, 20 September 2003, a miniature replica of the Menin Gate was unveiled on the ramparts near the memorial. This replica, offered by service club 'Kiwanis Ieper en Vlakke Land', will help blind people to really touch and feel the Menin Gate.

Pictures and more information can be found on the following link.

Last Post Association

www.lastpost.be

[MartinWills]

At least 2 WWI-veterans will be present: Mr Arthur Halestrap, Royal Engineers (Sigs), aged 104 and Mr Harry Patch, 7th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, aged 105 (who was wounded on the Pilkem Ridge in October, 1917).

5. Menin Gate replica

On Saturday, 20 September 2003, a miniature replica of the Menin Gate was unveiled on the ramparts near the memorial. This replica, offered by service club 'Kiwanis Ieper en Vlakke Land', will help blind people to really touch and feel the Menin Gate.

Chris,

Thanks for publishing this here. Its good that the news has a wider audience.

How wonderful that a minature Menin Gate has been installed for the blind. We often forget those less able than ourselves and yet remembrance can be just as important. I know that the Ros Baastian plaques also provide a tactile experience but are there any other such initiatives.

Delighted to hear that Arthur (and Harry) will be there. I well remember seeing someone queue to shake Arthur by the hand, delighted to be able to acknowledge him (and the countless other veterans no longer with us) and their efforts. Someone then mentioned that Arthur had served as a Major in the SOE in WW2 - and the same chap promptly and patiently queued up again....