Beating Retreat and Closing Cere

On the morning of the 10th the troops rehearse the official Retreat ceremony while wearing their combat uniforms and Red berets. Officers are out front with the sabers.

Here are some of the officers of 3RMP that gathered just after the Retreat ceremony was completed. Notice the American and Canadian officer in the center.

A line of Redcaps. A Regimental Sergeant Major forms his troops up for a pre-parade inspection.

3RMP Commanding Officer, LtCol Moore, and his Regimental Sergeant Major, RSM Poole

The Allies - Our Canadian MP -Capt Dandurand, an RMP Lieutenant -- Lt Geldenhuys from South Africa, and the American MP -- Ian

Maj Hazelton and Capt Sangster from 3RMP waiting for the parade to come through the streets of Chichester

The marching Redcaps. A beatutiful day and a very 'smart' looking parade.

Ian with his two NCO mentors, his operations Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer 2 Davies, and RSM Poole. These guys work in my office and the office next door and give me much needed guidance everyday at work.

The official letter to the city of Chichester from RMPTS thanking it for the 41 years of support.

The mayor of Chichester in red robe and the parade reviewing General

The reviewing stand in front of the town hall.

The Adjutant General Corps band in full dress uniform parades by

Members of the Royal Military Police Association march through with the current RMP troops.

Here three Chelsea Pensioners talk with a current RMP soldier. The Chelsea Pensioners live at the veterans hospital at Chelsea and are honored guests at many military events.

Members of the Royal Military Police Association march through lead by the current Regimental secretary.

More members of the Royal Military Police Association

On the night of the 9th over 80 officers of the RMP enjoyed the final mess in the Officers Mess at Roussillon Barracks. Here is Capt D, Maj Tosi, the CO, the 3RMP adjutant, and Ian

Finishing up the parade was a current RMP patrol car.

After the parade was a barbeque before the Retreat ceremony where Ian was fortunate enough to meet the first ever RMP exchange officer to the United States, LtCOL (retired) Nelson.

At the last mess Capt D, 3RMP second-in-command, Ian and the CO

The origin of the ceremony of Beating Retreat is obscure but, as in most military ceremonial occasions, springs from the practical necessities of war. If we talk about 'Retreat' in war today it suggests a beaten force on the run. This was not always so, and Retreat once meant breaking-off battle when there was no longer anything to be gained. For example, as night approached both sides might order a 'Retreat' to bring their troops within an encampment and would then post sentries and picquets for the night.

The bugle was the method of giving signals on the battlefield and in camp, and the custom developed of having a bugler sound the signal to Retreat each evening as dusk approached. This could be used to warn outlying troops to return to camp or to set the watch for the night.

Early records are sparce and often conflicting as different customs were followed in different campaigns. The first mention is found in "Rules and Ordynaunces for the Warre" dated 1554, where it was called 'Watch Setting'. In "Warres" where the Drum Major of the Regiment had to 'advertise', by beat of drum, those required for the Watch. There are other references during the 17th Century but there is some confusing between Retreat and another custom called 'Tattoo', which is a drum beating within the billeting area to order the soldiers to their quarters.

Even while Retreat and Tattoo served their practical purposes they were no doubt embellished by adding fifers and playing tunes to make a more cheerful sound than a lone drum. Bands were sometimes added and Tattoo became a display of drums and music by torchlight to entertain the garrison, leading to the idea of a Tattoo as a military pageant. Retreat has remained a display by the band, with bugles, pipes or drums added on special occasions.

Retreat still has military use, and Queen's Regulations lay down that guards are to turn out at Retreat for inspection by the guard commander. Retreat was often sounded as part of barracks routine even after the Great War, but in barracks a lone bugler, if at all, now usually sounds it.