The Last Post in the landscape
The buglers of the Last Post Association leave the Menin Gate and discover, together with you, the landscape of In Flanders Fields. The evocations zoom in on one or more stories of soldiers of the Great War and are accompanied by music and lyrics.
Saturday 17 June 2023 - 20h30
EVOCATION I
New Zealand Memorial Park Mesen
George and Herman Bollinger were born in New Zealand and grew up in the small place of Omata, just outside of New Plymouth. During the Great War the two brothers were engaged in the area of Messines / Ypres and they were both fatally wounded.
The Great War centenary inspired four students of Omata School (where the brothers studied before WWI) to research their history and the fact why their names had not been mentioned on the local war memorial.
With a New Zealand touch we pay tribute to the fallen by sharing their intriguing stories. An Pierlé sings while Yves Bondue and others make music and get you in the right atmosphere.
The evocation will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 20:30 in New Zealand memorial park in Mesen.
– Free access
– Registration is required and can be done through the form below; you will receive one ticket which is valid for all registered persons
– Language: Dutch (documentation in English available)
– Parking in the Church and New Zealandersstraat
– Afterwards, the Last Post Association invites you for a drink
In case of bad weather, the evocation will take place at the Peace Village, Nieuwkerkestraat 9 A, 8597 Mesen.
Registration evocation
Registration evocation
Please complete the form below for the first evocation on Saturday 17 June 2023 at 2030hrs at the New Zealand Memorial Park at Mesen. Registration is necessary and will be checked at the entrance.
September / Oktober 2023
EVOCATION II
Gwalia Cemetery Poperinge
Douglas Roy Manley is buried on this cemetery. Togehter with his brother Norman he faught for their freedom. As ‘coloured’ West-Indian (Jamaica) they were disgusted about the way they were treated by the British Army. Norman later became Prime Minister of Jamaica and leaded his country towards independence. Or how painful experiences during the war can grow into great and hopeful deeds.
Herbert Morris is one of the youngest executed soldiers of the Great War. Barely 17 years old, he drags ammunition to the battlefield. But he can’t stand the overwhelming noise of war and flees. This is considered desertion. The young intelligent Jamaican is set as an example a few days later…
April 2024
EVOCATION III
De Palingbeek Zillebeke
Spread over the different cemeteries in the Palingbeek, we tell, among other things, why Captain Gilbert Jocelyn Basil Fazakerley-Westby is buried here, despite the fact that his name also appears on the Menin Gate.
The story of violin maker Richard Spencer Howard who was killed here is also extremely interesting. Sam Sweeney, a well-known name in English Folk, found an unfinished Howard violin in a large envelope, which he had restored.
August 2024
EVOCATION IV
The ramparts - Menin Gate Ieper
Why did Indigenous Australians fight in the First World War? Loyalty and patriotism may have encouraged them to enlist. Some saw it as an opportunity to prove themselves as equal to the Europeans. Or had they been promised better treatment after the war? Perhaps the offer of 6 shillings a day for a trip abroad was simply too good.
Worldwide, more than 2500 First Natives died, of which 400 to 500 here in Flanders Fields. For a population of only 100,000, this is quite something. Reason enough to give these people a special place in our commemorations in the landscape.
Last Post Association, Ieper
In collaboration with
With LANDSCAPES | Feel Flanders Fields, a new WWI theme, Visit Flanders, Westtoer and numerous public and private partners are putting the unique commemorative landscape of Flanders Fields in the spotlight.
With a broad programme of exhibitions and events, landscape art and AR experiences, numerous cycling, walking and sailing routes the history and stories of the the landscape of the Flanders Fields region can com to life. The focus will not only be on the region’s rich war history, LANDSCAPES | Feel Flanders Fields also looks ahead to the future and asks how we will leave the countryside for the future.
