Tuesday 07 July 2015
The Last Post will sound at the Guernsey Fire Station on the evening of 9 July, joining Fire Stations worldwide in a unique commemoration.
On that evening the 30,000th Last Post will sound under the Menin Gate (The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing) in Ypres, Belgium, to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the First World War. Originally, the Last Post was the clarion call which announced the end of the working day in British and other armies. Since 1928, The Last Post Association has organised a ceremony under the Menin Gate in Ypres, where this clarion call echoes (with the exception of the war years 1940-1944) every evening. Day after day, the Last Post is the ultimate tribute to the fallen of the First World War.
The event in Guernsey will be held at the Fire Station, itself a former arsenal of the Royal Guernsey Militia and Royal Guernsey Artillery. The Bailiff of Guernsey Sir Richard Collas will deliver an opening address, which will be followed by readings and reflection. At 19:00 the Last Post will be sounded by buglers led by the Boys' Brigade. This will coincide with the 30,000th Last Post at the Menin Gate (20:00 European time). This will be followed by one minute's silence.
Members of the public are invited to attend the event and should arrive by 18:30. Please note that the road outside the Arsenal will be closed to traffic during the ceremony to allow free access for Fire Engines in the event of an emergency. The Event is being organised by Major Bob Place, on behalf of the Great War Working Party, and the Guernsey Fire Service. It is supported by the Culture and Leisure Department and Home Department of the States of Guernsey.
Contact information
Major Bob Place at place@guernsey.net or 07781 116824
Martin Lucas, Guernsey Fire Service at Martn.Lucas@gov.gg or 01481 724491
Jason Monaghan, Museums Director, Culture & Leisure at Jason.Monaghan@gov.gg or 01481 709702
