Royal Household Cavalry take part in a special Last Post Ceremony

Photo: Eric Compernolle

A special Last Post ceremony was held on 4 May, attended by representatives from the Royal Household Cavalry, who were in Belgium to mark the inauguration of the Royal Household Cavalry Memorial Column in Zandvoorde, along with members of the London Scottish Pipes & Drums and the Field Marshal Haig’s own Pipes & Drums.

Although known as the war of trenches and tanks, cavalry regiments played vital roles throughout the First World War, both mounted and dismounted, including the 7th Cavalry Brigade at Zandvoorde ridge.

Photos: Eric Compernolle

Consisting of three household cavalry units: the 1st Life Guards, the 2nd Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards, the 7th Cavalry Brigade fought a determined defence of the ridge in October 1914, suffering heavy casualties before being forced to retreat.

Geert Bekaert, CWGC Area Director, said: “It is hard to imagine what these men endured trying to hold the Zandvoorde Ridge.” 

“After heavy artillery bombardment, their trenches were overrun by German superiority, causing squadrons of the 1st and 2nd Life Guard Regiments and of the Royal Horse Guards Machine Guns to lose contact with the British troops. Many soldiers and officers were killed or captured during this heroic defence.”

“The fallen found their final resting place in a CWGC cemetery or are commemorated with their names on the Menin Gate. We will not forget them.”

The Last Post Ceremony returns HOME

Photo: Eric Compernolle

The Last Post Ceremony will be returning to its traditional location under the Menin Gate on 8 May as the restoration work on this iconic monument enters the next phase.

Built in the 1920s, the memorial has been exposed to weather, pollution and general wear and tear throughout its near 100-year life, and this project is vital in extending its life span for generations to come.

This restoration means that the names of the men of the Royal Household Cavalry that are listed on the Menin Gate, as well as the names of the other 54,000 war dead commemorated there, will continue to be saluted every night with the Last Post for years to come.