MILITARY TATTOO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1942, Page 3

MILITARY TATTOO

ATTRACTION AT SOLWAY ON SATURDAY INTERESTING DISPLAY PROMISED. ROYAL N.Z. AIR FORCE BAND ATTENDING. “John Bull” is looking forward to a day of complete relaxation and enjoyment at Solway on Saturday. “John Bull” has been trying to find out the meaning of tattoo. His best authority states that it was a reference to First Post or possibly to a special bugle call sounded before First Post to tell the “taps too” close. In some garrison towns the time between First Post and Last Post at night was filled in with a band display with marching and counter marching. To this was sometimes added a special military display when some famous regiment . was on duty oi' wished to display any honours that had been won. In course of time the period between the First Post and Last Post became known as Tattoo) These evening performances became more and more populai’ and since the first German War they have been staged as evening spectacles which wei’c sui’e to draw many thousands of spectators. Saturday’s proceedings at the Solway Showgrounds will start at 2 p.m. Included in the display will be many interesting features, such as a bren carrier troop in attack, an anti-aircraft demonstration, bayonet fighting, a ma-chine-gun and motor display and physical training exercises. The Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force will play items and the Wairarapa College Pipe Band will also, take part. The programme is advertised.