Rosewood History

The Last Post

On Anzac Day (25th April), when the first two notes of a bugle fill the air at a commemorative service, a hush falls over the crowd. Those hearing the call are transported to a private place; a place of thought, memory, gratitude and deep respect. The sound of a lone bugler playing the Last Post has become one of the most eerie and evocative sounds in the world.

The musical score for the Last Post was first published as Bugle Horn Duty in the 1790s. Originally it had nothing to do with mourning and remembrance. It is one of several bugle calls in British military tradition which mark the phases of the day. Reveille and The Rouse signal the start of a soldier’s day (wake up and get out of bed). The Last Post signals its end.

It is believed to have been part of a routine, known as “tattoo” (lights out and be quiet) in the British Army, which began in the 17th century. Soldiers didn’t have watches, so the officers needed a way to provide a routine for their men while they were in camp. A trumpet or bugle call, and a series of drum beats, were introduced to tell the soldiers when to get up, when to have their meals, when to go to bed and when to perform other daily activities. At the end of the day, the duty officer inspected the sentry posts on the perimeter of the camp, and at the end of his inspection a bugler would sound the Last Post. This signalled that the camp was secure for the night.

A different purpose for the bugle call emerged in the 1850’s. Many of the bandsmen and bandmasters in the military were civilians and they weren’t required to go overseas with their regiments. Consequently, when a soldier died in a foreign land, there was often no music played at the burial service. The regimental bugler was given the duty of sounding the Last Post over the grave of a fallen soldier. The simplicity of this act was highly effective and symbolised that the soldier’s duty was over and they could rest in peace.

By the time World War One broke out in 1914, the Last Post was already a recognised tune in our national culture. After the war, it began to be played on Anzac Day, on Remembrance Day (11th November) and at Military funerals.

Over the years the manner in which the Last Post is played has changed. The melody is the same but what was once a lively tune, is now mournful. Some notes are held for longer, some pauses are extended and the expression is more sorrowful. The rendition can last up to 75 seconds rather than the 45 seconds it used to take to play. It’s usually followed by a silent prayer and by the sounding of Reveille, the first call of the day, representing man’s rebirth into eternal life.

The shorter bugle call, Rouse, is used to signal the soldiers to resume their duties and is the call most commonly used in conjunction with the Last Post at Remembrance Day services. The exception is the Dawn Service, when the Reveille is played.

Several hundred men and women from the Rosewood district served in WW1 and WW2. Of these, 62 gave their lives in service to their country in WW1 and 24 in WW2. Whenever a serviceman bugler was not available to play the Last Post on Anzac Day, a musician from the Ipswich Salvation Army Band or Rosewood Citizen’s Band would stand in, as shown in records below spanning the years 1922-1954.

1922 – Private John William Dawson (late of A.I.F. ) sounded the and Last Post and Reveille on the cornet.

Previously, on Anzac Day in Rosewood, special memorial services were held by the various churches in the mornings and at night public meetings were held at the Farmers’ Club. The Dead March and hymns were played but not the Last Post.

1923 – One hundred years ago on Anzac Day a ceremony for the unveiling of Rosewood’s War Trophies was held. The Last Post was played by Private John William Dawson, Head Teacher at Calvert. He held the duty until the left the district.
1928 – Rosewood Citizen’s Band member Mr. C. D. Ross rendered the Last Post and played The Dead March on his cornet.
1929 – Rosewood Citizen’s Band, Mr. W. Clark sounded the Last Post.
1930 – Rosewood Citizen’s Band, Mr. W. Clark sounded the Last Post.
1931 – The conductor of the Rosewood Citizen’s Band, Mr. F. Bowers had the duty.
1932 – Pastor L. Larsen presided at a public meeting in the Farmers’ Hall. The “Dead March” in “Saul” was played.
1934 – Mr. J. Harvey sounded the Last Post and Dead March.
1935 – Mr. J. Peardon sounded the Last Post.
1936 – It was decided to sound Reveille on its own.
1937 – Mr. J. Peardon sounded the Last Post at the Anzac Day ceremony.
1938 – Mr. J. Peardon sounded the Last Post at the Anzac Day ceremony.
1939 – Mr. C. Freeman from Ipswich Salvation Army Band sounded the Last Post on Anzac Day.
1940 – After the procession and laying of wreaths, Bugler R. Gunthorpe played the Last Post and Reveille.
1941 – Bandmaster Henderson of the Ipswich Salvation Army Citadel played the Last Post and Reveille.
1942 – Band conductor Mr. C. Freeman sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1943 – Rosewood Citizen’s Bandsman M. Stitz had the duty.
1944 – Private George Patterson a member of the U.S.A. Army sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1945 – Mr. R. Green from Rosewood Citizen’s Band sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1946 – Rosewood Citizen’s Band – Drum Major E. Thumms sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1947 – Ipswich Salvation Army Citadel Band-Master Smith sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1948  – Ipswich Salvation Army Band – Mr. G. Whybird sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1949 – 1952 A member of  the Ipswich Salvation Army Citadel Band sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
1953 – Deputy Master of the Ipswich Salvation Army Citadel Band, Mr. T. Smith played the Last Post and Reveille.
1954 – Mr. Forrester of the Ipswich Salvation Army Citadel Band played the Long G, Last Post and Reveille.

Below are accounts of Rosewood’s reaction to the end of WW1 and WW2.

On Monday 11th November 1918, the glorious and welcome news of the unconditional surrender of Germany and the signing of the Armistice was received.

ROSEWOOD, November 12
There was rejoicing here last night on the receipt of the news that the armistice had been signed. The news was received at 8 o’clock, and the Musical Union, which was holding a practice, adjourned to a prominent part of the street, and sang “Rule, Britannia”. By this time the crowd had increased to several hundreds, and a procession was formed, and with the assistance of an improvised “tin-can” band, paraded the town singing patriotic songs. A meeting was held this morning to arrange for a big demonstration worthy of the great occasion, and arrangements were made to hold a procession at 1.30 p.m. and an open-air meeting at night. (1)

ARMISTICE CELEBRATIONS.  ROSEWOOD, November 13.
The Rosewood peace celebration was held this afternoon; over 2000 people taking part in the procession, which was the largest ever seen in the town. The procession, which was marshalled by Sergt. French, comprised school children, cadets, Red Cross, returned soldiers, rifle club, Friendly Societies, motor cars and public conveyances. The town was paraded after which a public meeting was held in the school grounds. The Rev. C. A. Capern presided, and addresses were delivered by Revs. Geo. Neal, T. Kelleher, T. E. Ashworth, and H. W. Rodgers. The City Band from Ipswich, under the conductorship of Mr. Wade, took part in the procession, and played selections. The school children also sang under the baton of the head teacher Mr. J. R. Mark. An open-air meeting was held tonight. (2)

On 8 May, 1945, World War II in Europe came to an end with the news of Germany’s surrender. (V-E Day)

On Sunday, 2 September, 1945, formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri, designating the day as the official Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day).

At a public meeting at Rosewood on Tuesday night 14th August, victory celebrations for Rosewood were enthusiastically organised. The Shire Chairman (Cr. C. J. Murphy) presided. Every organisation in the town and all sections of the community were represented. The Chairman said it was the desire of the Federal Government that celebrations be held throughout the Commonwealth. The Shire Council would sponsor the movement for Rosewood, but sought the co-operation of the public. Various proposals were discussed and arrangements for the two days’ celebration were made.

The next morning (15th) there was “big news” when radios announced Japan’s surrender.
CELEBRATIONS AT ROSEWOOD – Rosewood reacted in joyous spirit this morning when radios gave the announcement of Japan’s surrender. Church bells rang intermittently, whistles from the sawmill sounded, volleys at distant centres were heard in Rosewood, horse bells used over half a century ago rang out, flags of the Allied Nations decorated flag-poles and the exterior of people’s homes, shops closed at noon, workers evacuated their posts, and happy “cheerios” passed from one to the other in the streets. (3)

Two Masses were celebrated in St. Brigid’s R.C. Church. It was also the date observed in the Catholic Church as the Festival of the Assumption. Speaking to the congregation, Rev. Father O’Rourke (Parish Priest) said that the end of the war was something that everyone should be thankful to God for, and it would he part of the work of all to see that war did not occur again. He said that Christian principles must be brought back into the lives of the people if peace was to be maintained.

At  the railway station that afternoon a citizens’ thanksgiving service was held. This was preceded by a parade from the Shire Office to the station.

The main street was filled with people. The procession was marshalled by Lieut. A. W. Johnston and was led by Mounted Constable C. O’Sullivan. It was headed by the Rosewood Citizens’ Band which played stirring music. Large groups of returned men from the current war and the last war marched. They were followed by Rosewood Shire Council representatives, followed by the V.D.C. (under the charge of Lieut. N. Bade), Boy Scouts (under G.S.M. D. Elder), Junior Red Cross (with Mr. C. Radcliffe in charge), Masonic and P.A.F.S.O.A. Lodges and children from the State and Convent Schools. Proceedings at the Honour Board opened with the National Anthem.

In the unavoidable absence of the Chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council (Cr. C. Murphy), Mr. H. M. A. Grant, Chairman of the Rosewood Patriotic Committee, presided. He said that for almost six years the Nation and Allies had fought against a savage and ruthless enemy, and now that they were victorious and peace was declared, they were naturally delighted. The gathering was an expression to Almighty God of their grateful thanks for the wonderful victory He had given them.

Rev. M. Paxton Hall (Church of England, Ipswich), who deputised for Rev. J. H. Smith of Rosewood, said that the dominant thought for this occasion was thankfulness. Those who had given their lives must be remembered, and remembered for what they had given them so that the generation growing up would not have the same thing happening to them. The many forces of evil must be fought.

Padre L. Larsen (West Moreton Churches of Christ) said that righteousness had exalted the nation. With the victory achieved came a great responsibility. Those whom they spoke of as their enemies had souls for which God died. They must try to bring to them the better way of life by raising their own social, moral, and spiritual lives so as to be an influence for good to them. 

Rev. H. E. Saunders, Baptist Church said, “No people in the history of the world had greater cause for thankfulness.” 

Rev. J. H. King (Ipswich Central Congregational Church) said “Our thankfulness to all who served must be expressed in work in the days ahead. We must pledge ourselves to do more than express words.”

Hymns were played by the band at intervals in the proceedings.

At the conclusion, the Last Post was sounded by Trumpeter Green.

On the 6th December a welcome home function was held for the returned soldiers of the district. The Shire’s Honour Roll with 270 names inscribed on metal plates was unveiled.
Read about the day here.  ROSEWOOD’S FIGHTING MEN  (In the newspaper article there was an error with a name, which was rectified in the next edition. In the “Bridal Party'” portrayal. Miss Cissie O’Sullivan, and not Miss Elsie Tully, impersonated the “bride” in the party.)

There have many conflicts since then in which Australians have taken part, either as soldiers, peace-keepers or humanitarians. Present at all past commemorative occasions have been individuals who carry the memory of their service, along with the families of those who sacrificed much for their country. The haunting sound of the Last Post touches people in different ways. It is is an individual experience and a feeling that burns in the heart of every Australian. Every story is different.

© Jane Schy, 2024

Sources:
(1) Brisbane Courier – Wednesday 13 November 1918, page 9
(2) Brisbane Courier – Thursday 14 November 1918, page 4
(3) Queensland Times – Friday 17 August 1945, page 3