Page 102 - Archived Back Issues

FIREFIGHTER FOCUS
Menin Gate
Fire & Rescue Services and Ypres Ceremony
In 1928, prominent citizens in Ypres decided that some way should be found to express the gratitude of the Belgian nation towards those who had died for its freedom and independence. This became the daily sounding of the Last Post; the privilege was given to buglers of the local volunteer Fire Brigade. The first sounding of Last Post took place on 1st July 1928
The Last Post Committee (now called the Last Post Association) was established in 1929 and four silver bugles were donated by the local Branches of the Royal British Legion. Since then with exceptions for the period of World War II it has been played every night irrespective of weather conditions. During the period of WWII the Last Post was played at Brookwood Military Cemetery where it continues today on the first Sunday of every month.
The visit by the British Fire Brigades to Ypres “Menin Gate” Memorial first began in about 1980 by a combined contingent from both Kent & Surrey Fire Brigades to attend the Remembrance Day Parade in YPRES. The reason for this initial interest was due to the Chief Fire Officer of Kent, Mr Reginald Doyle, mentioning to the Chief Fire Officer of Surrey, Mr Alfred Butler, that he was aware that the Firemen Buglers in YPRES Fire Station had been playing the “Last Post” every night of the week - almost since the end of the 1st World War. It was therefore decided that it would be a good idea for an honour guard and combined contingent from Surrey & Kent to take some buglers from the Grenadier Guards and give the men of YPRES a night off.
Such has been the mutual respect and close ties between the Belgian and British Fire-fighters, that this annual homage has continued ever since and indeed grown considerably. Not only do Kent & Surrey still go over every year, but so do many other UK Brigades including Wiltshire, Devon & Somerset, West Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear, West Midlands to name but a few. Some of the British Brigades who now go take Bands as well as their Standards.
Thanks to Gary Whitworth, former Kent CFO, for assisting in the production of this article.
LONDON’S
LIVERY
COMPANIES
Their storied past and their living present, as told in a splendid book by Robert J Blackham of the Middle Temple and Gray’s Inn, Barrister-at- Law, Citizen and Liveryman of the Needlemakers’ Company and the Apothecaries’ Society, Clerk and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers. Published in London by Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. Printed by Furnell & Sons Paulton (Somerset) and London.
Written between the two World Wars it is now sadly out of print but worth scouring the antiquarian bookshops and libraries for a copy. It’s a truly fascinating read and contains many illustrations.
COMPANY
SUPPORTS
QUEEN’S
DIAMOND
JUBILEE
CELEBRATIONS
Past Master Sir Ken Knight is chairing a working group of fire, industry and charity representatives, who are organising a fire service flotilla as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant - one of the largest collection of boats ever seen on the river Thames.
Led by London’s historic fire boat, the Massey Shaw (pictured opposite), boats representing the fire and rescue service during the Queen’s reign will join up to 1000 other vessels in the pageant on Saturday 3rd June 2012.
The Company is represented on the group by Past Master Vivian Jones and Liveryman Kelly Fairman. Sir Ken said; “the Pageant will be a spectacular event. I am delighted that members of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters have been given the opportunity to play such a vital part in showcasing the fire and rescue service in this way.”
6