HMNZS Ngapona 100th Centenary Celebrations Nov 22nd - 24th 2024
*RNZN BAND SUPPORTING ACT / BEAT THE RETREAT / CEREMONIAL SUNSET* The historical ceremony of ‘Beat Retreat’ is a military custom, which dates back to at least the year 1557, and has been defined as: ” A beat of the drum, and the firing of the evening gun”. The gun was fired to mark the change from day to night. (This will be substituted by the Guard firing one blank round from the MARS-L weapon).
The military expression “Retreat” was in no way associated with the withdrawal of defeated forces, but the call served two purposes. The first signifies the disengagement from the days fighting, and as darkness was about to fall night sentries had to be posted.
At that time the drum was the normal medium for the passing of signals on the battlefield, hence at the appropriate hour each day the “Drummers” were ordered to …”Beat Retreat”. With the passing of the years, drum signals were embellished with music for the Fife and later the Bugle, and in more recent times a Band was Added.
Click on the sites below to see the Weekends Celebrations
HMNZS Ngapona 100 Centenary Ceremonial Sunset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ogxoFYrBHQ&t=21s
HMNZS Ngapona 100th Centenary Celebrations Nov 22nd - 24th 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUSFhun78MM&t=3s
COMMANDING OFFICER, HMNZS NGAPONA
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Previous Commanding Officer