As part of Exercise Venture Aberhout 23, a Tri-Service cadet trip to France and Belgium, cadets from all three services participated in the 95th anniversary Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ieper (Ypres).
On Sunday 2 July 2023, the buglers of the Last Post Association sounded the Last Post for the 32,915th day at the Menin Gate as they celebrated the 95th anniversary of the very first Last Post on Monday 2nd July 1928.
The cadets formed up adjacent to the Memorial with the banner party in front along with the Doune pipe band from Scotland and a large crowd of participants and onlookers including a delegation from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
Major Bobby Borland was invited to read the Exhortation and Flt Lt David Hanson from the RAFAC gave the parade commands. The Kohima Epitaph was read by Major John Baxendale. The cadet wreath party were invited to lay wreaths on behalf of the cadet delegation and Llandudno Town Council along with wreaths from organisations from across the world
Bobby Borland said “I had an unexpected honour at the Menin Gate when I was asked to read the Exhortation during the ceremony. I haven’t been as nervous in a long time. It all went very well and the cadets laying the wreaths, and on parade, were exemplary. Being a proud Scotsman the cherry that topped it all was the pipe band present. A lone piper played a lament, and then they marched the parade off to Black Bear.”
Cadet Seren Warwick from Colwyn Bay said ‘Having the privilege of being involved in the 95th Last Post ceremony was not only the proudest moment of my cadet career but, a life changing moment for me. It was utterly surreal and has taught me things that I will never forget. It is difficult to put into words, but I have never been more moved or proud; and I am honoured to have been a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.’
Photo Credit: Last Post Association
Pictures Eric Compernolle
Follow this link to see the Last Post Association video of the ceremony.
