Swords drawn ... bayonets fixed

Press, 2 April 1988, Page 3

Swords drawn ... bayonets fixed

-The precision tramp of military boots to the beat of a Iceremonial band combined impressively with a flypast by the R.N.Z.A.F.’s Red Checkers in Cathedral Square at midday on Thursday, j j l.i “With drums beating, band playing, swords drawn and bayonets fixed” more than 150 Air Force [Officers and ranks from Base Wigram paraded through the city in the traditional reaffirmation of its charter. | The show of military force raised eyebrows and bemused some,, but a fast-gathering crowd proved the parade retained its pulling power. | Traditionally a charter gave a military group the right to march through a town to seek volunteers for aj local territorial force. I However, Thursday’s parade was designed ,to mark the fifty-first anniversary of the formation of the R.N.Z.A.F., rather than a recruitment drive. ■ The Mayor, Sir Hamish Hay, was invited to inspect the ranks and spoke briefly of the Air Force’s long aissociation with Christchurch. i | “We value this charter link with you and thank you for honouring our city,” Sir Hamish said. 11 The officer 'commanding R.N.Z.A.F. Base Wigram, Group Captain Graeme Goldsmith, responded that the Air Force’s tasks and objectives had varied little since it was established in the 19205. “No other R.N.Z.A.F. base can claim such a close and lengthy relationship with a-city,” he said.