• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

The Last Post

carolina

master brummie
I have recently read that The Last Post originated from a soldier going to attend another soldier in battle even though he was not sure whose side the injured soldier was fighting for. He was killed doing this and a note of paper with music printed on was found in his pocket which they used at his funeral. Can any one confirm or deny this as I cannot find the original info. Thanks,
 
I understood "TThe Last Post" was the military bugle call to note the end of the day at the barracks or outpost and accompanied the lowering of the flag. The use at funerals came much later. Someone on the forum will know the answer.
 
Joseph Hayden is generally acknowledged as the author of both the First Post (Reveille) and the Last Post. Though Carolina I like your explanation much more.
 
I never thought to ask who wrote Reveille/Last Post when I was in the Army but I do know that there are different versions of the calls. The Cavalry and Gunners shared the same ones but the Infantry certainly used a different version.
 
The info I had I seem to think was either in Sunday Mirror or Mail on Sunday last weekend but I cant find anything online to confirm this.
 
ALBION, thanks so much for that. It just shows you cant always believe what you read in the newspapers, but at least it confirms I had read it somewhere. Again thanks. Carol
 
carolina, I was once told by an ex Lord Mayor, " look at the date on the top of the paper, check it with the calender, if it matches this could be the only truth in the paper. With regard to the Last Post I much prefer the version you read in the paper.
jimbo
 
Back
Top