“BEATING RETREAT"

Press, Volume C, Issue 29680, 25 November 1961, Page 8

“BEATING RETREAT"

History Of An Ancient Army Ceremony IS pf dally written for "Ths Press" by "MEREBIMUR ’1 Tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m., in Latimer square, the ceremony of “Beating the Retreat" will be performed by the Band of the Ist Canterbury Regiment. Al any people ask, “What does Beating the Retreat mean?” Even old soldiers have sometimes been known to give confused stories of its real meaning and origin.

We find this. too. in old documents, where, what was known as “Tattoo” is spoken of as “The Retreat,” and of late years, vague stories of retreating from the field of battle to allow each side to collect their dead and wounded, and that it is performed as a tribute to fallen comrades. In the modern ceremony there is some truth in that, as one will observe in the closing stages of the ceremony, which if properly carried out is a very moving tribute. However, both “Tattoo” and “The Retreat” have been performed by the British Army for over 400 years, but they are two different ceremonies, as one will learn. There was a different hour of the day when each was performed—The Retreat at sunset, “Tattoo” at 10 p.m. usually. There must be many old soldiers who, like myself, have heard “The Retreat” sounded in many strange places—sounded on a bugle at sunset The sounding of the call termed “Retreat” appears to have originated in the sixteenth century, and although the modern ceremony is performed by beat of drum, this

is not the case with the Light Infantry of the British Army. They, after their conversion to Light Infantry 150 years ago. discarded the drum for the bugle for calls in action, and for sounding (never “beating”) the Retreat and Tattoo.

Corunna Battle

Lieutentant-General Sir John Moore created the Light Infantry, and after the Peninsular War the Corunna “Retreat” which at the moment of his death turned to victory, sometimes was claimed in stories to have been the origin of the ceremony of beating the "Retreat” as we

now, know it, I cannot do better than quote from the records from the War Office Library and the Journal at the Society for Army Historical Research. “The Tattoo” had its origin in a simple Army routine which was observed as far back as the sixteeenth century. It was the practice in those days when operations ceased in the late autumn of each year for forces in the field to go into winter billets in towns and villages. This was the practice of the British Army during the campaign in the Low Countries during the 1690’5. As may be expected the local inns were the only social centres for the troops. In order to get the men to return to their billets at night the innkeepers had to turn off their beer taps and cease to sell drinks. The time to do this was between 9.30 and 10 p.m. and this time was notified by a drummer marching through the billeting area beating his drum. “The drummer was accompanied by an Orderly Officer and an Orderly Sergeant. As the sound of the drum beats echoed through the towns and villages, the innkeepers, on hearing them.

remarked, “Doe den tap toe.” and turned off their beer taps. This is an old Dutch expression which, translated freely into English . means ’Turn off the taps.” Authorities are not unanimous concerning the origin of the word "Tattoo,” but the general belief is that it was derived from this expression. The word “Taptoe” was used in official documents of the time, and the word has now given place to “Tattoo.’’ The same custom of rounding up the troops for them to return to their billets was observed in England and after a period of time a fife joined the drummer and short tunes were played I inally the whole corps of fifes, drums, and pipes, and eventually, band*. played music for the entertainment of the garrison, and this was known as beating Tattoo,” or playing “Tattoo.” “Beating The Retreat’’ The ceremony to be performed by the Regimental Band of the Ist Canterbury Regiment also dates from the sixteenth century, and was performed when troops were in fortresses. or armed camp. This was called "Watch Setting.” and is referred to in the “Rules of Ordynaunces **>* w «rre” of 1544 and the “Theory and Practice of Moderne Warres” of 1598. where It says the "Drumme Major of the Regiment had to advertise” (by best of drum) those required for the watch. “Half an hour before the gates are to be shut, which is generally at the Setting of the Sun—the Drummers of the Port-Guards are to go upon the Ramparts and beat a Retreat to give notice ‘o those without that the Gales are to be abut As soon as the Drummers have finished the Retreat, which they should do in less than a quarter of an hour, the officers must order the Barriers and Gates to be shut.” Here then on this occasion in Latimer Square there are no ramparts, but they will be represented by regimental flags to which one will see the drummers, or corps of drums, march and counter march as they Beat the Retreat But this Is really only part of the story being told bv both the Band and the Corr* of Drums. To toll the whole story would cover many pages of courage, discipline, and esprit de corps in military history, for which we have reason to be thantatA