97 years Last Post Association

Ladies and gentlemen, Friends, visitors, and honored guests,

Good evening, and welcome under this Menin Gate Memorial.

We gather here tonight, as we have done every evening since July 2nd 1928, to honour the memory of the soldiers of the Commonwealth who fell in the Ypres Salient during the First World War and who have no known grave. Beneath the names carved into this memorial, we are reminded not just of those who died, but of the lives lived, the sacrifices made, and the promise that we would never forget.

This evening marks a special occasion: the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Last Post Association dedicated to upholding this very promise.

For nearly a century, through times of peace and of turmoil, through changing generations and changing worlds, the Last Post Association has remained steadfast in its mission: to remember and to honour.

The daily sounding of the Last Post beneath this arch stands as a symbol of respect, reflection, and resilience – not just for those who served, but for the values they fought to defend.

As we stand here tonight, surrounded by silence, history, and shared remembrance, let us reflect on the enduring legacy of those who never returned, and the ongoing commitment of those who keep their memory alive.

To the buglers, members, volunteers and supporters of the Last Post Association – past and present – we offer our deepest gratitude.

Your dedication ensures that each name on these walls continues to echo in the hearts of all who come here.

Now, as we prepare for the Last Post to sound once more beneath these solemn stones, let us each carry in our thoughts the enduring words: “We will remember them.”

Thank you.