PAGEANTRY OF “THE TROOP."

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1928, Page 4

PAGEANTRY OF “THE TROOP."

GRACE OF THE GUARDS’ SLOW MARCH. LONDON, June 4. Out of the pages of the past marches the military pageant knoyn as the Trooping of the Colour, which yesterday, on the Horse Guards Parade, celebrated the birthday of his Majesty the King. Once every year the Brigade of Guards, obeying the fixed law of tradition, gives one of the most spectacular displays of disciplined efficiency,' combined with picturesque ceremony, seen since the romantic days when battles were directed by rules of etiquette and war itself had its code of chivalry. HISTORY-STAINED SETTING.

No other military pageant can equal in colour and rhythm this wonderful panorama of the Trooping of the Colour. Nowhere else in the world is there such a setting as the historystained building of Whitehall and the old-time verdant background of St. James’s Park. Here was a scarlet wall of infantry and a golden cohort of cavalry.

Nowhere else can be seen this brave and bold display of scarlet and gold, of blue and silver, of white and purple. Nowhere else can be seen a King who is also an Eniporer riding with his three young sons and halting to salute the Queen wife and mother. The ceremony of “ The Troop,” as it is technically called, is merely a glorified version of guartFmounting designed to impress upon soldiers the sanctity of the colour, the rallying post for a regiment. For this impressive ceremony tfic colour of each of the Guards regiments is usually chosen in rotation.

This year for tho first time since their formation in 1915 the honour fell upon the Welsh Guards, of which tho Prince of Wales is Colonel-in-Cliief. Women of many nations marvelled yesterday at the grace and rhythm of the famous slow time march of the guards, perhaps the most picturesque

feature of the ceremony of the Troop- J ing of the Colour. This wonderful march is a military step set to music, not in. invigorating quick time, hut in the dainty measure of a minuet. Each regiment stepped out elegantly to its owft music. The Royal Horse Guards rode sedately to the beat of their own march; the • Welsh Guards proudly stepping to the stirring strains 6f “ Men of Harlech ” ; the Grenadier Guards solemnly moved to the march from “ Scipio ” ; the Irish Guards, restraining their natural ardour, marched magnificently to the endearing tune of “ Let Erin Remember ” ; and the Coldstream Guards, perhaps the best of all, brought up the rear with a charming animated rendering of the march from “ Figaro.” KILTS AND SUNSHINE MISSING. Two features only were missing from yesterday’s magnificent display—brilliant. sunshine and swinging kilts. -The morning was warm but dull. No light was flashing from fixed bayonets and drawn swords, no sunbeams gilded the darlj leaves of the June trees. And there was not seen the graceful, fascinating swing of the pipers’ kilts, because the Scots Guards were not represented. They are too busy doing active service in China and routine work at Aldershot.