Appeal launched for volunteers to commemorate the centenary of World War One memorial Menin Gate in 2028

Plans are already underway to commemorate the centenary of the famous Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate in Ypres.

The event on 2 July 2028 is part of the large-scale First World War tourism campaign Monuments & Moments, which is honouring the anniversaries of major memorials sites in the Westhoek region of Flanders.

This symbolic date marks the 100th anniversary of the first time The Last Post was sounded at the living memorial to fallen British and Commonwealth soldiers who went missing in action during the Great War.

To honour the near 55,000 soldiers whose names are engraved on the famous city monument, the aim is to read out each name – uninterrupted.

Come rain or shine, the roll call will continue all night long and is estimated to take at least three days.

It isn't just military folk and VIPs involved. Everyone will get the chance to read out one of the 54,588 names on the Menin Gate, including local residents, visitors from abroad and the families of the fallen.

Since 1928, The Last Post has been sounded every evening at 20.00 in Ypres by volunteer buglers from the Last Post Association.

Its chair Benoit Mottrie (pictured above) said: “The 100 years anniversary of the Last Post falls on a Sunday so we are making it a special commemorative weekend. 

"On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we are organising numerous activities, events and ceremonies. Everyone will be welcome at this centenary celebration: the Association's members from around the world, various dignitaries, but above all the people of Ieper themselves.”

The historic milestone will be celebrated internationally by Ypres, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission — which owns the Menin Gate, and the Last Post Association.

Mottrie says it is important to give everyone the opportunity to read out a name. "To this end, we're appealing to residents of Ypres, schools, people from abroad, and family members of the names on the gate."

He continued: “The reading will be continuous, so the names will also resound throughout the night. Everything will be strictly timed. People from all over the world will be able to follow the entire process via livestreaming. Westtoer and the city of Ypres will also be involved; we'll make it something special."

Special activities are planned throughout that weekend in the centre of Ypres, a city that was almost completely destroyed by constant shelling during the war.

On Friday and Saturday, there will be parades and events in the Grote Markt, followed by a traditional Last Post in the evening. The ceremony for Sunday afternoon is planned to commemorate the centennial. In collaboration with the In Flanders Fields Museum, an exhibition will celebrate the centenary of the Last Post Association.

Ypres was at the centre of Western Front during the 1914 to 1918 conflict; known as the ‘Ypres Salient’ bulge in the Allied lines. Its major battles included the first use of poison gas in 1915, and the devastating, mud-soaked 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. In total, there were over one million casualties.

The Last Post is a historic British Army bugle call dating from the 1790s that originally signalled the end of the day's tasks and the security of camp. It evolved into a poignant funeral tribute, representing a final farewell and the end of a soldier's earthly labours. The traditional final salute is featured in Remembrance Sunday, Anzac Day and other military funerals worldwide.

Running from 16 June 2026 to 11 November 2028, the Monuments & Moments tourism campaign focuses on the period after the conflict - 1927 and 1928 - when numerous monuments in the Westhoek were inaugurated.

It is designed to invite contemporary reflection on the conflict that cost hundreds of thousands of lives in a corner of Belgium forever known as Flanders Fields.

Photos: ©Westtoer