One of the highlights of the Squadron calendar is the trip to Horse Guards Parade in London to watch the spectacular Beating Retreat ceremony in June.

This year it fell on Thursday 5 June and 8 cadets and 4 members of the staff and Civilian Committee were blessed with warm sunshine as they watched the military pomp and ceremony in Central London.

The Beating or Sounding of Retreat has its origins in the 16th Century when it was used as a signal to recall troops to barracks at the end of the day. During campaigns, it was often difficult to gather troops together after a day's fighting, therefore Beating Retreat provided a clear signal to regroup, enabling a unit to be led as a single body to a safe encampment.

On parade this year were the bands of The Life Guards, The Blues and Royals, all five regiments of Foot Guards (Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh), the Drums and Pipes of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, the Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and special guests, the Band of the 1st Battalion Royal Malaysian Defence Regiment.

The Royal Malaysian Defence Regiment are currently in London performing ceremonial duties including mounting the guard at Buckingham Palace. The band performed brilliantly in front of their Colonel-in-Chief, His Royal Highness Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah. The 'dance' routine that went with their music was rather interesting though...!

All-in-all it was a great evening enjoyed by all, especially our new cadets who are just starting to take part in drill and ceremonial duties themselves on the Squadron. And best of all... it made us proud to be British!

Well done to all the troops who took part.

Photos are in the gallery - take a look...