News has arrived that the great actress Googie Withers has passed away.
She was a wonderful actress and I remember seeing her in many films in my younger days although she sort of disappeared from our screens in the 70's I think.
Another thing I remember from that time was the advice given to young men aspiring for an acting career:
"If you want to be an instant movie star, sit in a cold bath of water until your googie withers!!!!!!"
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The "Last Post" Discussion
There seems to be a lot of confusion about whether the American bugle call "Taps" was ever called the "Last Post". I am not an expert in this subject, but to my knowledge, Taps has never been referred to as the "Last Post".
Having spent 9 years as a trumpet player in the Navy, I did my fair share of bugling duties (which were also referred to as "BUNGLING" duties, depending on the ability of the bugler or bungler), and I also carried on that tradition for many years after my discharge in civilian life providing the bugle calls for ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Ex-Service Days and funerals.
The Duty Bugler was detailed as duty for one week at a time in HMAS Cerberus and there were usually 4 or 5 of us on call, so we only had to look forward to a week of long days with early mornings. The day started with "Wakey Wakey" at 0530 for Recruit School and 0600 for the rest of the establishment. The usual routine for the day was then in motion with "Colours" at 0800 when it was wet weather, otherwise a band and guard would play for "Colours". Also, the bugler would play "Colours" on weekends. "Stand Easy" morning and afternoon, "Secure" and "hands to Dinner" at 1200. At 1300 the Ship's Company mustered for the "March Down" to individual schools for afternoon training. "Secure" again at 1600 followed by "Men Under Punishment" and Libertymen". "Hands to Supper" at 1800, then "Sunset" at the specified time and then the always dreaded "Rounds" at 1900 where the Duty Lieutenant Commander (DLC) would inspect the accommodation blocks in company with the Duty Chief Petty Officer, Duty Petty Officer and bugler who sounded the "G" as we progressed to alert the masses that we were nearing your area.
Just to top the day off the last two bugle calls were "First Post" at 2040 and "Last Post" at 2100.
Now!!!! This is where the contention begins!!!!!
The melody of the "last Post has been attributed to Josef Haydn. It was reportedly written by him in the late 1700's to align all the British Military and Navy bugle calls. The call comes from a Dutch custom called "Taptoe" thus the phrase Military TATTOO was derived from this term. Taptoe originated by signalling the turning off of beer taps at the end of the day and it is quite feasible that the American "Taps" derived its name from this practice.
The Dutch bugle call "Taptoesignaal" is used for remembrance events, as is the "Last Post", but it is not the same tune as the "Last Post" and neither of these calls are to be confused with American "Taps", which has a different tune and origin. "Taps" has been used by the U.S. Army since 1862 and has never been referred to as the "Last Post". The term "Last Post" is exclusively British.
During my time in the Royal Australian Navy I had the honour of meeting and playing with many U.S. military bands. Being the inquisitive one that I am, I asked the question concerning the use of the term "Last Post" as an alternative to "Taps", and, Lo and Behold!!! None had ever heard of it referred to as the "Last Post".
End of discussion!!!!!!
Having spent 9 years as a trumpet player in the Navy, I did my fair share of bugling duties (which were also referred to as "BUNGLING" duties, depending on the ability of the bugler or bungler), and I also carried on that tradition for many years after my discharge in civilian life providing the bugle calls for ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Ex-Service Days and funerals.
The Duty Bugler was detailed as duty for one week at a time in HMAS Cerberus and there were usually 4 or 5 of us on call, so we only had to look forward to a week of long days with early mornings. The day started with "Wakey Wakey" at 0530 for Recruit School and 0600 for the rest of the establishment. The usual routine for the day was then in motion with "Colours" at 0800 when it was wet weather, otherwise a band and guard would play for "Colours". Also, the bugler would play "Colours" on weekends. "Stand Easy" morning and afternoon, "Secure" and "hands to Dinner" at 1200. At 1300 the Ship's Company mustered for the "March Down" to individual schools for afternoon training. "Secure" again at 1600 followed by "Men Under Punishment" and Libertymen". "Hands to Supper" at 1800, then "Sunset" at the specified time and then the always dreaded "Rounds" at 1900 where the Duty Lieutenant Commander (DLC) would inspect the accommodation blocks in company with the Duty Chief Petty Officer, Duty Petty Officer and bugler who sounded the "G" as we progressed to alert the masses that we were nearing your area.
Just to top the day off the last two bugle calls were "First Post" at 2040 and "Last Post" at 2100.
Now!!!! This is where the contention begins!!!!!
The melody of the "last Post has been attributed to Josef Haydn. It was reportedly written by him in the late 1700's to align all the British Military and Navy bugle calls. The call comes from a Dutch custom called "Taptoe" thus the phrase Military TATTOO was derived from this term. Taptoe originated by signalling the turning off of beer taps at the end of the day and it is quite feasible that the American "Taps" derived its name from this practice.
The Dutch bugle call "Taptoesignaal" is used for remembrance events, as is the "Last Post", but it is not the same tune as the "Last Post" and neither of these calls are to be confused with American "Taps", which has a different tune and origin. "Taps" has been used by the U.S. Army since 1862 and has never been referred to as the "Last Post". The term "Last Post" is exclusively British.
During my time in the Royal Australian Navy I had the honour of meeting and playing with many U.S. military bands. Being the inquisitive one that I am, I asked the question concerning the use of the term "Last Post" as an alternative to "Taps", and, Lo and Behold!!! None had ever heard of it referred to as the "Last Post".
End of discussion!!!!!!
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