With ANZAC Day upon us, nearly every Australian and New Zealanders will tomorrow hear the long haunting tones of the Last Post and the less talked about Revellie.
What are is the History of the Last Post.
In days gone by, the Armies of Britain and other nations relied heavily upon music particularly pipes, drums and bugles to signal different events throughout the day.
The day would generally start with Reveille (or Rouse) to signal the soldiers that it is the start of the day.
At the end of the day, the duty officer would personally inspect the sentries on each of the watch posts to ensure that they were awake and ready for their shift keeping guard over the camps. With the duty officer was often a musician, generally a drummer and a bugler. In the 17th century this was named "Tattoo"
As the officer inspected each post, the musicians would play "First Post" to signal to the soldiers that it was time to rest. As they went from post to post, the drum would beat reminding the soldiers the end of the day is near and they should be getting into their bunks or billets.
If Soldiers were billeted within a village, the drum beat would signal to the local pubs that it was site to turn off the taps and send the boys to bed. The term "Tattoo" literally meant "Turn off the taps" in Dutch.
Note: the modern American military use the term "Taps" for the same meaning
As the Duty officer inspects the last of the outposts, the bugler would play the song of the Last Post, this would signify to the troops that they should all be in bed, the sentries were on watch and the day was over.
The modern usage of the Last Post
The proceedures for night time may be vastly different today than it was in the 17th Century, but still to this day at sun down the base bugler will play the Last Post. This is often accompanied by the lowering of the flag.
Reveille is also still played each morning before dawn to signal the start of the new day.
The symbolism of the ANZAC Day tradition
At the many ANZAC Day services you will see tomorrow, especially the Dawn Service, you will hear the Last Post followed by 1minutes silence then the silence broken with Revellie.
The Last Post is used to symbolize and pay tribute to those that have died, those that have seen their last days and paid the ultimate price. The minute silence is for you to reflect on these sacrifices and to pay your respect. Then with Reveille, the day is reborn and you are prepared to attack and go forth. To make good on the reflections of those who have died and to fight the next fight.
Be sure to get out tomorrow and pay your respects to our forgotten hero's, teach your kids the meaning of the ANZAC and what it really means.
LEST WE FORGET
Credits: Australian War Memorial for the key points of the historical meanings.