Aims & Objectives

In accordance with its own statutes and in keeping with the wider spirit of remembrance, the Last Post Association seeks to honour the memory of the soldiers of Great Britain and its Empire, who died during the Great War of 1914 -18.

The Association also seeks to promote the ideals which the Menin Gate Memorial has come to represent, not only in terms of suffering and self-sacrifice, but also in terms of solidarity, duty, courage and service to one's country.

Great War 1914-1918 The ceremony was originally intended as an expression of the gratitude of the Belgian people towards those who had died for their freedom and independence - and this it remains, even today. However, in the course of the years the ceremony has also acquired a wider significance. So when the bugles blow, it is not only the soldiers of the British Empire who are being honoured, but also their comrades from France, Belgium, America and many other Allied lands, who likewise "stood firm and did not count the cost".

At the same time, thoughts may also turn to those who fought on the other side of no-man's land: enemies then, but partners now in a new, united Europe. In this sense the Last Post Association not only represents a mirror into our past, but also a beacon of hope for all our futures.

Newsletter

Book of honour

48 members of Gravesham District Explorer Scouts and Leaders set of on Friday morning of the 6th November at 8am on a trip they will remember for the rest of there life's taking part in a weekend of Remembrance in France and Belgium.

Visiting these places in one weekend before returning home at 11pm on Sunday the 8th November. Our first port of call was at Tyne Cott Cemetery were 12,000 Commonwealth soldiers are buried and we laid the first of two wreath. Then on to, Sanctuary Wood a muddy trench system & museum, Hill 62 & Caterpillar Crater. On Saturday we visited the Museum in Peronne and then to Guided Tour of Fricourt the German cemetery La Boisselle Lochnagar Crater which is 100m across a mine crater created by tunnelling under the German lines then exploding them this was one is 19 mines along the Messines Ridge the explosions were heard in London.

Then on to Thiepval a British Memorial to the 73,367 men still missing were we left more poppies. Beaumont Hamel Trench system were 800 left the trench but by the dead tree in no mans land only 68 were left. In the evening we have new friend with the Scouts of Cambria. On Sunday it was of to Wellington Quarry were 20,000 lived underground be for going over the top then on to Vimy Ridge the Canadian memory 30m high Vimy Ridge the Canadian trench system.

Before arriving at the Menin gate to be given the Honour to stand Guard over the wreath laying ceremony. To stand there at the head of our District watching my explorer scouts lower the flags as the last post was played had tears rolling down my face. And as they laid our wreath to the missing and fallen I know none of us will ever forget them or our weekend of rememberance. Here we were the Guard of Honour at the Ceremony on Remembrance Sunday flying and lowering of the flags, as the last post was played and then laying of a wreath. We Will Never Forget Andrew Andrew Martin ESL.

Andrew Martin: Gravesham District Explorer Scouts, Gravesend, United Kingdom
- 13 November 2009

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