THE "RETREAT"

Evening Post, Issue 98, 27 April 1936, Page 14

THE "RETREAT"

REGIMENTS TRIBUTE

THE HONOURED DEAD

No matter how valiant a regiment may be there- is always'1 a ■■■possibility that a retreat may. become necessary in-battle, and consequently the "Retreat" is included 'in regimental calls. Its modern use is wholly symbolical,l however, and when' it ■is r included in a ceremonial parade as it was by the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment, on Saturday its symbolism is increased. The "Retreat" is not. the symbol of mourning, but of honour. When it sounded in battle it was an order, but it was also a paean of praise for. the men who had made an honourable retreat possible by checking the enemy at the cost of their lives. :As a result a ceremonial. "Retreat" is the symbol of honour" and remembrance of a regiment's dead. _■

That the members of the Wellington Regiment appreciated, this fact was apparent when they paraded, before the Wellington Citizens' War Memorial at 4.25 under Lieut.-Colonel J. LI. Saunders, D.5.0., V.D. The battalion marched to the space in front and to the right of the Cenotaph under the command of Major E. M. Stace, and stood in line while Ithe bands earned out their ceremonial. Warrant-Officer H. Baker was bandmaster, Drum-Major A. Hobson' was' drum-major, PipeMajor G. A. MacLennan was pipemajor, and Sergeant C. E. James was sergeant-bugler.

At 4.25 the buglers' of the regiment . advanced to the front of the pipes and drums and band, to sound the "Retreat" while. the battalion stood at attention and- the large .crowd that had gathered, in the pouring rain listened in" reverent silence. The solemn roll of the drums followed, and the pipes and drums moved \ forward at the slow march until the Cenotaph had been passed, countermarched, advanced again at the quick march, and returned to their, original position.

The band of the regiment then moved forward playing a slow march, countermarched; and then' executed a quick march to return and halt beside the pipes and drums, where the ceremony concluded with the playing of the National Anthem.