AN UNFORGETABLE EXPERIENCE- Phil & Jill

The rest was a good re-energiser before meeting at 5.00pm to drive the 3kms into the village of Ypres. Every night large crowds gather to hear the Last Post played by the Firemen buglers of Ypres.

Francis gave us a brief introductory talk before we wandered the streets of the village and drooled at all the Belgian chocolate shops. We had a coffee with Pam, Judy and Roger and then light tea. Francis wanted us to assemble at 7.15pm at the spot near the wall for the ceremony to start at 8pm. As I wandered back I saw young people in a band tuning up. Also wreaths to be laid and a lot of official looking men in suits.

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The Padre, Norman McDowell of the Northern Ireland regiment came over and chatted with us. He explained that the men and women in the Army were new recruits in their first 8 weeks in training and were extremely nervous to be at their first time at Menin Gate. At duly 8.00pm the band struck up and walked halfway up the area and played whilst various groups walked across the road to place a wreath at the memorial and when that is finished 3 buglers having marched right to the front of us start The Last Post. It has been played 39,000 times consecutively. The band lower their banner and you just listen. It is one of the most miving experiences you will ever have.

We all felt the same way re the moving ceremony and were so grateful for Francis' experience in where we were positioned to see the whole thing from the front row. We were also grateful for the care he took in limiting thevtime Phil had to stand and putting him next to the wall of the Gate to lean on.

To finish off the evening Francis shouted us a drink on behalf of Back Roads and we sat out in the courtyard at Hooge on a balmy night and savoured the evening.

Phil raised a toast to Francis and Steve for their superior guidance and driving. He also called on hisbown experience as a former serving military officer of the significant meaning to all men and women in the military if the Last Post. He commented that it meant the end of the day and all its stresses and concluded a time of acute vulnerability for men in the field. Half an hour before the Last Post was a very dangerous time for attack. Hus speech added to what we had just witnessed - the hard tune of The Last Post played magnuficently