FROMELLES
2010
Re internment of British and Australian soldiers.
The following report with photographs is made up of 2 parts.
1. Behind the scenes.
2. The commitals and burial service.
1. Behind the scenes;
The above pics give a glimpse of what is going on behind the scenes at Fromelles. Alongside Pheasant Wood where the soldiers were recovered from their mass graves is the secure compound. The pics reveal a mixture of amazement to the weather conditions, to the guys practicing their ceremonial drill to the loading of a soldiers casket into one of the hearses to be taken on his final journey.
The Chaplains, Burial teams and RBL Standard party then march to the cemetery.
Part 2;
The Commitals and burial service.
Each fallen soldier is carried into the cemetery on his final journey by the joint British and Australian Army burial teams. The Chaplains offer the time honored burial service, the soldiers present arms and offer the volley fire salutes, the last post and Exhortation. The RBL Standard party dip their standards.
These fallen soldiers have finally received their long awaited burial services and can now rest in peace.
The above photograph requires special mention.
This is the very battered Coronet of the 31st Battalion AIF that was in action here on July 19th& 20th 1916 The AIF musician shown above is Jeff Poole from
Albany Creek, Queensland. I have to say, Jeff played the most beautiful Last Post that I have ever heard! It was simply an honour and a privilage to see and hear this truly remarkable piece of history in action, back in the hands of such a wonderful musician and great man.
Jeff, the fallen, the attending soldiers and visitors will no doubt miss you and your great musical tributes thats for sure. Thank you.
The Ypres Branch was most fortunate to have one of it's committee members granted official photographer status throughout the entire month of burials.
Milena attended every single day of burials and took over 1000 photographs for the Ypres Branch archives. The above last two photo's reveal the cemetery after the final soldier listed for the month of burials been laid to rest and Milena herself leaving the cemetery for the last time. I'm sure she will have many incredible memories to reflect on as time moves on.
The last and final photo taken by Milena below, cannot for many reasons be left out of this report. I hope you all agree.
The title of the photograph below simply says it all;
"The final salute"
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
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A first for the Branch and the famous Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.
Our Branch Piper plays a lament on behalf of the Branch & the
Last Post Association. A Poppy tribute was then presented by the Branch President and Branch Officers.
Saturday 4/07/09
How quick a situation can change. Two days ago, I was in discussion with Pipe Major Eric Remy regarding the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient Inauguration Ceremony. During our conversation, Eric let it be known that he was un-available for the Saturday evening Last Post Ceremony. I said how about if I talk to the Last Post Association and inquire if they would give permission to use our Branch piper Pierre Dervaux and double it up as our Branch Piper Inauguration Ceremony? I spoke to Jacky and he said this will not be a problem. Permission was granted and the rest is history!
It was a super Ceremony. This was a first for Pierre and I can't imagine how he felt! There were hundreds of people around him for his first solo lament on behalf of our Branch. The lad done very well indeed. Thank you Pierre for representing our Branch and yourself so successfully. Several well wishers came up to our Branch members to thank us for our attendance and it made all the rush worthwhile.
As a bonus, a very enjoyable social evening developed in the Ypra Inn afterwards. It was a great ceremony and great evening. I would like to thank all Branch Officers, members and the LPA for making this happen at such short notice.
* If any visiting RBL Branch requests the attendance of our Branch Piper, please contact the Secretary for more details. Thank you.
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Major Bridges Ceremony
Monday Aug 24th 2009
Menin Gate Memorial.
This Ypres Branch RBL arranged Ceremony involved the Branch members, the British Torch of Remembrance Belgium Branch, the Last Post Association and 3 Flemish pipe and drum bands, notably the Ypres Surrey Pipes & Drums, the Paschendaele 1917 Pipes & Drums and the Flanders Memorial Pipes & Drums.
The Ceremony was to commemorate and remember the actions of two very brave and forward thinking soldiers Major Bridges and his bugler, who rescued 2 shattered and demoralised British Infantry battalions from the town of St Quinten. These men acquired a toy wooden drum, a penny whistle and then marched the men out of the town to safety to the tune of the British Grenadier and Tipperary.
As per the included photo's, Major Bridges and his bugler did exactly that again 95 years on.
It was a superb ceremony and we would like to thank all of the above organisations, on making this incredible commemoration event take place. Thank you.
The above photographs really do show the special relationship that exists between the above mentioned organisations and especially by the massed bands who brought many a tear to all with their fantastic tear jerking " Highland Cathedral"
I must admit to also having a bit of dust in my eye as I marched behind Major Bridges and his bugler.
This really was a very special ceremony indeed!
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THE BRANCH OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
MEMBERS.
President: Mr André Santy.
Vice President: Mr Jack Squire.
Branch Officers.
Chairman. Mr Iain McHenry*
Vice Chairman. Mr Chris Lock.
Honorary Secretary. Mr Jeremy Fenton.
Honorary Treasurer. Mr Dirk Vinck.
Committee Members.
Mr Peter Morris. Membership Secretary.
Mr Ronnie Loof. Branch Standard Bearer*
Mr Dominique Deloose.
Mrs Milena Kolarikova. Poppy Appeal Organiser*
Mr Jean Maniszewski.
Mrs Nadine Lenssens. Ghent Sub Branch Representative.
Mr René Declercq.
Welfare Committee*
Mr Iain McHenry.
Mr Ronnie Loof.
Mrs Milena Kolarikova.
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Branch Piper.
We are very proud to welcome the under mentioned piper, who has volunteered his piping services free of charge on behalf of our Branch. He comes to us well recommended indeed! We are very sure that this very important post, can only enhance the British/Flemish relationship and at the same time, will allow the Royal British Legion here in Ieper, to commemorate the fallen with so much more ceremonial respect!
Mr Pierre Dervaux.
* Pierre can be seen playing a lament at the gravesides of the fallen Spitfire pilots from Operation Circus 157 on this web site. His parent band is the Ypres Surrey Pipes & Drums. The bands web site is linked at the bottom of this page.
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To Contact Us
For all postal correspondence;
Royal British Legion Ypres Branch
Postbus 8
Postkantoor Ieper Esplanade
8900 Ypres
Belgium.
Or email directly the;
Honorary Secretary
Mr Jeremy Fenton
Or please fill out the below form and press send. Your question or request will be answered as soon as possible. Thank you.
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LINKS.
