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Arriving at Bailleul Sgts Mess in good time for the gathering there was the
chance to catch up on news of friends before setting off for Rowcroft Barracks for the parade and the following Drum
Head Service. Assembly of the marchers took place behind the building at
the top of the old parade ground which wasn’t there in 52 but evidently was
the location of HQ Company in later years.
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Drums of the City of Rochester Pipe Band tightening and tuning
for the parade.
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Pipes puffing and tuning for the parade.
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Refreshments for the band in the form of a box of Londis Scotch Whisky.
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Suitably sized and receiving the pre-parade briefing
before the off.
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AOBA Chairman Brian Hutchins 61B and the RSM gather
for a time check.
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Photo by Max Warwick 49B
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The Drum Major of The City Of Rochester Pipe Band.
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Photo by Max Warwick 49B
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The Pipe Major of The City Of Rochester Pipe Band
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The City of Rochester
Pipe Band leads the March On. If you would like a
more complete experience of the parade, why not CLICK on the PICTURE
and recall the marches of the Arborfield Pipe
Band? If using Windows Media Player you can minimize it and continue to
view the photos whilst listening to the music.
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You can see right through his big one.
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The parade assembled but numbers would appear to be
down this year. Very conspicuous by their absence this year were the lads
from the Royal Chelsea Hospital,
The Chelsea Pensioners. The splash of colour brought to the scene by their scarlet tunics and
their proud bearing on recent parades was sorely missed and commented on by
many. Hopefully they will be invited to attend the parade next year,
especially if it is to be the last time at Arborfield.
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Photo by Max Warwick 49B
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Lt. Colonel Ian Cooper 72C accompanies the Inspecting
Officer Lt. Colonel Barry Keast 45A
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If you are going to arrive somewhere then do it with
style. Inspecting Officer, Colonel Barry Keast
45A, College Commandant from 1976 to 1979 and Lt. Colonel Ian Cooper 72C. A
home grown team then.
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The star of the day certainly deserves its own moment
of glory in the show.
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Music to inspect by. The full parade line-up.
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“Gather round chaps, we’ll have a little chat.” Actually a humanitarian gesture because
the parade took place on the hottest day of the year. The review had been
carried out briskly to avoid any effects of the heat on the participants.
Gathering round also made up for the fact that there was no PA system so it
was all done by natural voice.
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For a different selection of music, CLICK on the PICTURE again.
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An “Eyes Right” passing the saluting dais as the
parade draws to its conclusion.
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The City of Rochester
Pipe Band march off, bringing the parade to an
end. Unfortunately spectators forgot their manners and were strolling off across
the parade ground whilst the band was still playing the music. A black mark
on the courtesy levels of Old Boys. For yet another selection of music, CLICK on the PICTURE.
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Spectator numbers, like the marchers, were down this
year but this fine group consisted of Elizabeth and Frank Bass 52A, AOBA
Membership Secretary Fred Mills and Graham Goodwin, both of 51B.
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