Regimental Band To Beat Retreat At Sunset

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29240, 25 June 1960, Page 15

Regimental Band To Beat Retreat At Sunset

To mark the 101st anniversary of the regiment, the Band and Drums of the Canterbury Regiment will perform the ceremony of Beating Retreat at Sunset -at 4 p'.m. on Sunday at Latimer Square. This ceremony is a very ancient one One of the first written references to it appears in the “Rules and Ordinances for War," dated 1554, where it is referred to as “Watch Setting.” In older times, when the hours of darkness meant a cessation of hostilities until the next day, the object of the ceremony was for the drums to beat in order to collect and post the necessary guards for the camp or garrison for the night. It was also a warning for those outside the camp or garrison to retire, or they would be kept outside for the night.

From these early days, the distinction between “Retreat” and what we now refer to as “Tattoo” is not very clear. However, in 1745 the Duke of Cumberland’s Orders to the Army serving in Flanders made a clear distinction by saying that Retreat is to beat at sunset, and that tattoo is to beat at 10 o’clock at night. In 1779, “General Regulations and Orders for the Conduct of His Majesty’s Armed Forces in Great Britain” lay down that Retreat is to be beat at sunset, and this is repeated in all editions of King’s and Queen’s Regulations down to the present day. In November last, the Canterbury Regiment held functions to celebrate its 100th anniversary. During these celebrations, the Band and Drums performed the ceremony of Beating Retreat at

Sunset for the first time. There is no set form laid down for the ceremony, the size of the band and the available parade ground space being the determining factors as regards the evolutions which can be performed. The band’s drum major, Corporal A. H. Blackler, planned the ceremony and it was performed in November last, and will be performed again on Sunday next. He corresponded with the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, London, the Band of the Grenadier Guards, and the Band of the Royal Marines. 'He has taken some of the ceremony of each of these bands, and has added parts of his own.

The most spectacular part of the ceremony is where the drums leave the band and march in quick and slow time across the parade ground. They then march and counter-march, still playing, through the stationary ranks of the band.

The marches played during the ceremony are representative of the four countries of the British Isles. Also heard will be the regimental quick and slow marches of the Canterbury Regiment, together with the hymn ‘‘Abide With Me,” and the Retreat call played by the full band and drums. The conclusion of this hymn, played at sunset, is probbably the most impressive moment of the ceremony, with the drums rolling into the Retreat Call, and the New Zealand Ensign slowly being lowered. Former members of the regiment. serving members of all services, and the public generally have’ been invited to attend the ceremony on Sunday afternoon.