After many demonstrations of extreme heroism, the zoo and its nearby village have survived a terrifying firestorm over the last few days. Some brave people across the state have lost their lives; some were badly injured and burned.

I therefore include a rendering of the haunting notes of ‘The Last Post’ in honour of the Warriors of the Bush Fires in Australia.

All the inmates of the zoo are fit and well. The zoo was just a bit singed around the edges, and some of the trees are pink from fire retardant. We are rejoicing that a miracle of preservation has occurred.

For my readers, in honour of all brave soldiers, here is one of the legends of the origins of the United States Army’s final bugle call sent by my correspondent, Lynn, in England:

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when 
Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow  strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or 
Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the 
stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was 
actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath. He went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war had broken out. Without telling his father, the boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy 
status.  His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of 
musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform. The haunting melody, we now know as ‘The Last Post’ and used at military funerals, was born.

The words are:

‘Day is done.
Gone the sun from the lakes – from the hills – from the sky!
All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.

Fading light dims the sight. 
And a star gems the sky gleaming bright!
From afar drawing nigh falls the night.‘

From a mourning monkey.

Chugley

The Smokey Chimp