Page 6 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

THE BUGLE
SOUNDING RETREAT
AT HORSE GUARDS
In early June The Massed Bands and Bugles of The Rifles, accompanied by The English National Opera, Quirinus Band and Bugle Corps from Germany, Cadet Bands and Bugles of The Rifles, The Bugle Branch
of The Rifleman’s Association, The Band
of the Brigade of Gurkhas as well as the re-enactors from the 95th Rifles gathered at Horse Guards to Sound Retreat after many months of preparation.
The last time the regiment had done so was in 2016, where the bar had been set high. Thankfully, and with a big sigh of relief, this year’s occasion went off seamlessly and was a resounding and visually spectacular success that delivered exactly what was promised. Held over two balmy summer nights the musicians delivered flawless performances
in the company of the Colonel-in-Chief The Duchess of Cornwall, Royal Colonels as well as the rest of the regimental family including the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick.
What people witnessed was just the tip
of the iceberg because the performers had spent hundreds of hours of practice on parade grounds at Worthy Down and Longmoor
fine tuning every detail, piece of music and complex drill movements.
Narrated by the renowned historian, James Holland Sounding Retreat spelt out the history of Rifle Regiments and Light Companies through music. But it also did something else, it brought together many veterans from the TELIC and HERRICK campaigns and marked the launch of The Rifleman’s Association.
The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” was accompanied by the regiment’s unofficial
anthem “High on a Hill” as well as “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. This spine-tingling performance was accompanied by a spectacular firework display with each firework representing a fallen Rifleman from Ops TELIC and HERRICK.
The 95th Rifles battle reenactors added an exciting and new historical aspect by fighting a mock battle wearing Rifle Green uniforms, armed with Baker rifles, against an opposing detachment of Napoleonic era French Infantry and a very loud cannon. Only a few meters away from the Duchess of Cornwall the 95th fired loud and exciting volleys to counter the French muskets. With James Holland correctly asserting that much of what was practiced by the 95th Rifles in 1815 still forms the bedrock of The Rifles to this day.
The Cadet Buglers performed with a maturity and professionalism that belied their exceptionally young age. Despite having very sore feet after so many hours spent perfecting every fine detail their dedication shone through during the final performances. They were noted by many for a discipline that matched many of the adults involved and impressed the crowds tremendously.
Former Light Infantryman, Simon Hazlitt commented after Sounding Retreat, that “The performance was breath-taking”.
Whilst General Sir Patrick said after the final rehearsal:
“You are ready, and I don’t think it would have been possible to have had a more perfect rehearsal. The hard work and practice show, and you should all be very proud of yourselves”.
6 RIFLES The Bugle