Today we held a predominantly American themed ceremony. Individual American servicemen often joined Commonwealth forces in WWI before America formally entered the war. Many names on the Menin Gate are American servicemen.

We deviated slightly from our normal service and remembered two individuals. Two days ago, Major-General Otto Schwarz’s ashes were interred in the civilian section of the cemetery reserved for Czechoslovakian servicemen that did not die during the wars. Immediately next to the RAF Memorial, his wish was to be as close to his wartime comrades as possible.

We also remembered American Pilot Officer Ieuan ‘ Rex’ Haddock, killed on 30 June 1944 during a failed take off from Dunsfold Aerodrome. Rex is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery in plot 54.J.9.

We will remember them.

Our Standard Bearer was Tony Brannigan and our bugler was Mrs Ruth Moore.

The individual remembrances were read out by Mr Paul McCue, a military historian.

Afterwards we went round to the Trench Experience to warm up.

Today, in the cold 4C temperature we held the short ceremony.

We read the Thomas Hardy poem ‘A Call to National Service’.

For our Individual Remembrance we remembered Major Oliver ‘Trooper Bluegum’ Hogue. Major Hogue was an Australian who fought in Gallipoli initially, then fought in the battle of Romani in 1916. He was then transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps and fought in Raga, Magdhaba and Gaza.

In July 1918, he was transferred to the 14th Light Horse Regiment and was in Damascus when the Turkish surrendered. He caught influenza and died whilst on leave in London in March 1919 and is buried in Brookwood Cemetery.

We had five standards on parade and our Standard Bearer was Tony Brannigan.

Afterwards we went round to the Trench Experience to try and warm up.

Today’s Last Post followed the short ceremony.

We read the poem ‘Christmas Day On The Somme’ by Leslie George Rub who also featured in our Individual Remembrance.

Leslie George Rub was 23 when he enlisted at Towoomba, Queensland, Australia on 25th August 1915. He sailed for Alexandria on board the H.M.A.T. Wandilla from Brisbane, Queensland. From Alexandria he was transferred from 26th Battalion to 2nd Pioneers because of his carpentry experience, and sent first to France, and then on to Flanders in Belgium.

In autumn 1917, seven weeks after the start of the Third Battle of Ypres, Australian troops finally captured Westhoek Ridge, where German strongholds were manned by machine gunners. Three days later Leslie Rub and other men from his company were in the night making a road between Broodseinde Ridge and Westhoek Ridge when they were shelled. Leslie was hit in the kidneys by shrapnel. He died the next morning, on the 23rd September 1917, at the 1st Australian Ambulance. He is buried at Dickebusch War Cemetry, 5 km southwest of Ypres.

Our Standard Bearer was Tom Milne and Mrs Ruth Moore sounded the Last Post. Alan Lopez from the Maverick Explorer Scout represented Woking District Scouts. Afterwards we retired to The Trench Experience for refreshments.

The Last Post

December Last Post