Beating retreat facts for kids
An event was held in May 2018 for the Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Another happened in 2022. This marked the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II (the 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). It also marked 40 years since the Falklands War.
The salute is usually taken by the Captain General. It can also be the First Sea Lord or the Commandant General. Sometimes, a senior royal like Prince William (in 2018) or other important people take the salute.
The Royal Marines' ceremony is different from the Army's. The Army's ceremony happens every year in June. Four to five bands from the Royal Marines Band Service make up the massed bands. The ceremony's charity partner is the RNRMC.
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The Rifles' Sounding Retreat
Sounding Retreat is a different version of the ceremony. It is performed by the Band of The Rifles. It was also done by the bands of the Light Division. Bugles are used in this ceremony to play "Sunset" (called "Retreat" in the Army). This is because of the history of the British light infantry.
On May 31 and June 1, 2016, the Bands of the Rifles and the Brigade of Gurkhas performed the first "Sounding Retreat" on Horse Guards Parade since 1993.
Beating Retreat in Australia
The Australian Defence Force has a traditional Beating Retreat ceremony. It comes from the British Army. The first ceremony with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" was in 1968. It was at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. This event is now held every year.
The modern ceremony combines three old customs. The first custom involved drummers marching to warn soldiers that evening guard duties were starting. It also told soldiers outside the walls to come back inside before the gates closed.
The second custom happened on old battlefields. When fighting stopped at sunset, regiments would pray or sing for their fallen. The evening guard would fire three musket shots. This was to scare away "evil spirits."
The final custom comes from placing the Regimental Colour (a special flag) in the Colour Ensign's room. Today, this is replaced by lowering the national flag.
2007 Ceremony in Australia
The 2007 ceremony was on September 27 and 28. Important leaders like Chief of the Defence Force ACM Angus Houston attended.
The ceremony included marching, changing guards, and inspecting the guards. There was also the firing of the evening gun. The Australian flag was lowered. Music was played by the Royal Military College Band and the Australian Army Band Tasmania. They played songs like "All That Jazz" and "Spider-Man Theme."
The ceremony ended with the "1812 Overture." This was played with 105 mm Hamel light field guns. There was also a 5-minute fireworks show.
Beating Retreat in Canada
Canada's version of the Beating Retreat is the annual Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony. It usually happens on a July evening. It takes place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Ceremonial Guard and its combined bands organize it. This ceremony mixes Beating Retreat with military tattoos. It also includes lowering the Canadian flag. This guard performs public duties in the capital. Sometimes, foreign drill units join. These have included the German Navy Silent Drill Team and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
Beating Retreat in India
Background and History in India
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In India, Beating Retreat officially marks the end of Republic Day celebrations. It happens on the evening of January 29. This is three days after Republic Day. The Ministry of Defence organizes it. Bands from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force perform. Pipe bands from the Army also join. Since 2016, bands from the Central Armed Police Forces and Delhi Police also take part. The ceremony takes place at Raisina Hills and Vijay Chowk. These areas are near the North and South blocks and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace).
The ceremony started in 1955. It has been a key part of Republic Day celebrations ever since. Brig Bewoor and Maj Roberts of the Indian Army created the first Beating Retreat in India. Army, Air Force, and Navy bands took part. It has become an official ceremony to honor a visiting Head of State.
Order of Ceremony in India
The President of India is the main guest. The President's Bodyguard (PBG) escorts the President. When the President arrives, trumpeters play a fanfare. Then, the PBG commander asks for the national salute. The Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is played by the bands. At the same time, the flag of India is unfurled at Vijay Chowk.
The ceremony begins with bands from the three services marching together. They play popular tunes like Colonel Bogey March and Qadam Qadam Badaye Ja. After a fanfare, the Navy and Air Force bands perform. They march in patterns and play concert pieces. Then, the Army's pipes and drums play Scottish and Indian tunes. These include Gurkha Brigade and Chaandni. They also perform marching patterns. The Army's massed military bands perform last. They march forward quickly, then slowly, then in complex patterns.
In 2016, marching bands from the Central Armed Police Forces and Delhi Police joined. The Army Symphony Orchestra and Traditional Ensemble also performed. The Traditional Ensemble uses Indian instruments.
All the bands march forward near the President. Drummers, mostly from the Army's pipe bands, perform a solo called the Drummer's Call. The last tune played before the Retreat is Abide With Me. This hymn was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi. It has stayed in the ceremony even as other foreign tunes were removed. The sound of tubular bells creates a special mood.
After this, buglers play the call for sunset. All the flags are slowly lowered. The band master asks the President for permission to leave. The bands march back playing Sare Jahan se Accha. As the bands leave, the Parliament buildings are lit up. There is a light and sound show. The President's Bodyguard (PBG) horse-mounted troops return. Another Army band plays the national anthem again. The President receives the final salute from the PBG. Then, the President and PBG leave.
In the past, a short fireworks display followed this finale.
Beating Retreat in Pakistan
The Wagah border closing ceremony is a daily military practice. Security forces from India (Border Security Force) and Pakistan (Pakistan Rangers) have done this together since 1959. It involves lowering the flags.
Michael Palin filmed this ceremony for his TV show. He called it a display of "carefully choreographed contempt."
Beating Retreat in Jordan
The Beating Retreat of the Royal Jordanian Army bands happens in Amman. The King and Queen of Jordan usually attend. Other important people from the government and military are also there. The ceremony is part of celebrations for Independence Day, Army Day, and the Great Arab Revolt. It has happened every year since the early 1950s. King Hussein of Jordan introduced it. The Royal Guard organizes it. The ceremony features the Jordanian Armed Forces Band, a pipe band, a drill team, and a camel-mounted team.
Beating Retreat in New Zealand
The New Zealand Defence Force usually holds a Beating Retreat ceremony every year around Anzac Day. Musicians from the New Zealand Army Band and troops from the New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force take part. They form a guard of honour for the reviewing officer. This is usually the Governor-General of New Zealand or the Mayor of Wellington.
Beating Retreat in the United States
The "Ceremony of Beating Retreat" happens every year at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The USMMA Band and students usually take part. It happens on a parent weekend so families can attend. The United States Marine Corps Friday Evening Parade and Sunset Parade are similar. These parades are military tattoos. They are performed by troops from Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.. They are more like the Royal Marines' ceremony.
See also
- Republic Day of India
- Delhi Republic Day parade
- Trooping the Colour
- Changing the Guard
- Großer Zapfenstreich
- Ceremony of the Flags
List of Foot Guards Bands:
- Coldstream Guards Band
- Grenadier Guards Band
- Irish Guards Band
- Scots Guards Band
- Welsh Guards Band
