Bevendean History Project
Falmer Stories and Photographs 2
Beating Retreat on Madeira Drive on 13 June 1936
IT’S JUST AN OLD ARMY CUSTOM
Hundreds See Territorials “Beating Retreat”
The Band of the 5th (Cinque Ports) Royal Sussex Regiment provide Brightonians with an impressive spectacle as they “Beat Retreat” on Madeira Drive.
Hundreds of territorials are in Camp at Falmer, and as a gesture of appreciation to the town that is giving them hospitality one of their bands that of the 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment whose headquarters are at St Leonards - “Beach Retreat” on Madeira Drive yesterday (Friday) Evening.
And to show their appreciation of the territorial’s gesture, hundreds of Brightonians lined the road and the terraces of the Aquarium to see them.
Even a riding horse from one of the local stables got all excited when he heard the drums and bugles and began to prance in a high-spirited fashion.
If he had seen the bandsman with their scarlet uniforms their drum major whirling a heavy staff to the apparent danger of the onlookers the horse would probably have gone into a military charge.
Brighton is becoming accustomed to these spectacles The Territorials have been doing this sort of thing each year but it never seems to be tired of the martial music and the marching.
Like the legendary Duke of York's men, they marched up the parade and then down again. They did this for nearly an hour while the Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton (Councillor Edward Denne and Mrs. Frank Denne) stood by the balustrade of the Aquarium to see.
The ban split into two parts, called for no particular reason “the band” and “the drums,” although the latter half included a score of bugles as well. First one section took the “floor” and marched, blowing for all its worth, then the other had a turn. Then both sections reunited and gave a combined display of territorial wind.
The origin of the ceremony a “Herald” reporter was told by an officer belongs to the time when battles used to be terminated at the setting of the Sun. It didn’t matter which side was winning when the sun went down the fighters appealed against the light and the empires drew the stumps. In other words, the band’s beat retreat,” and everybody went off to supper.
Next Wednesday there will be an even bigger “blow” for four battalion bands from Falmer are going to “Beat Retreat” in a really big style. All Brighton will doubtless be there.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/01_0052a
Gunners at the Territorial Army Camp near Falmer.
Keep reference: BH/A/54/02_0092b
From the Brighton and Hove Herald on 13 June 1936.
IT’S JUST AN OLD ARMY CUSTOM
Hundreds See Territorials “Beating Retreat”
The Band of the 5th (Cinque Ports) Royal Sussex Regiment provide Brightonians with an impressive spectacle as they “Beat Retreat” on Madeira Drive.
Hundreds of territorials are in Camp at Falmer, and as a gesture of appreciation to the town that is giving them hospitality one of their bands that of the 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment whose headquarters are at St Leonards - “Beach Retreat” on Madeira Drive yesterday (Friday) Evening.
And to show their appreciation of the territorial’s gesture, hundreds of Brightonians lined the road and the terraces of the Aquarium to see them.
Even a riding horse from one of the local stables got all excited when he heard the drums and bugles and began to prance in a high-spirited fashion.
If he had seen the bandsman with their scarlet uniforms their drum major whirling a heavy staff to the apparent danger of the onlookers the horse would probably have gone into a military charge.
Brighton is becoming accustomed to these spectacles The Territorials have been doing this sort of thing each year but it never seems to be tired of the martial music and the marching.
Like the legendary Duke of York's men, they marched up the parade and then down again. They did this for nearly an hour while the Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton (Councillor Edward Denne and Mrs. Frank Denne) stood by the balustrade of the Aquarium to see.
The ban split into two parts, called for no particular reason “the band” and “the drums,” although the latter half included a score of bugles as well. First one section took the “floor” and marched, blowing for all its worth, then the other had a turn. Then both sections reunited and gave a combined display of territorial wind.
The origin of the ceremony a “Herald” reporter was told by an officer belongs to the time when battles used to be terminated at the setting of the Sun. It didn’t matter which side was winning when the sun went down the fighters appealed against the light and the empires drew the stumps. In other words, the band’s beat retreat,” and everybody went off to supper.
Next Wednesday there will be an even bigger “blow” for four battalion bands from Falmer are going to “Beat Retreat” in a really big style. All Brighton will doubtless be there.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/01_0052a
Gunners at the Territorial Army Camp near Falmer.
Keep reference: BH/A/54/02_0092b
From the Brighton and Hove Herald on 13 June 1936.
THE MECHANIZED ARMY IN TRAINING ON THE DOWNS IN SUSSEX
Moving a gun into position to fire.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/02_0023b
A caterpillar tractor towing a large artillery gun.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/02_0052a
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/02_0052b
A well hidden gun ready to fire.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/02_0052c
Artillery in action behind a screen of woodland.
Territorial Bandsmen marching at Falmer.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/02_0092a
Signal practice at the Territorial Army Camp at Falmer.
Keep Reference: BH/A/54/02_0038b
From the Brighton and Hove Herald in August 1936.
Mechanized Army on Manoeuvres
A recent picture taken near Brighton which illustrates the
importance of mechanized transport in modern army equipment. This
powerful six wheeled lorry, with its full complement of territorials,
is drawing a gun limber during manoeuvers on the Downs.
These operations have shown the efficiency of this type of transport over rough country.
These operations have shown the efficiency of this type of transport over rough country.
Keep reference: BH/A/54/01_0098a
From the Brighton and Hove Herald on August 1937.
All images copyright East Sussex and Brighton Records Offices at the Keep.More photographs of Falmer from the 1930 to the 1950s
