In response to many enquires about the significance of the activity scheduled for 7.15 p.m. on Saturday, 7th November, in Comur Street, Yass, the Yass Historical Society  is happy to pass on the following information  courtesy of the Royal Military College of Australia, Duntroon. 

“Beating the Retreat is a traditional ceremony incorporating a number of ancient military customs. The modern Retreat ceremony is known to have had its origins in the 16th Century when it was then know as ‘Watch Setting’. 

“The first of these ceremonies took place in the field, in garrisons and in castles at sunset. In order to alert skirmishers and outlying troops that the day’s activities were over, the evening gun was fired and a drummer would beat retreat. This beating of retreat was later extended to include the whole corps of drums with fifes, pipes or bugles. Drummers would gather on the ramparts and with drums beating would march back and forth to warn all that the evening guard duties would soon commence and also to signal those working in the fields that the gates were about to be closed and that soldiers and serfs should return to safety within the walls. 

“Nowadays, the drum corps marches and counter-marches in front of the guards, symbolically re-creating the old ritual. 

“In earlier days, fighting would cease at sunset and , following the beating retreat and the band troop, a hymn would be played in honour of those of the regiment who had fallen during the day. 

“The ‘Watch’ would fire three musket volleys to, as History records ‘put flight to the evil spirits of the enemy dead’ 

“This ceremony is now expressed in the actions of the guards and band as they advance in slow time and fire volleys. These actions are carried out during the playing of a hymn. 

“The actual Retreat Ceremony will include the band playing a harmonised version of the ‘Retreat’ call, during which the national flag will be lowered by the ‘out-going orderly sergeant’ The lowering of the national flag now replaces the daily ceremony of ‘Trooping the Color’ 

“Following the lowering of the Australian flag, a lone piper from the Corps will play a lament honouring those Australians who have given their lives in the service of their country, thus concluding the ceremony.” 

We are unaware that this ceremony has ever been performed anywhere else in Australia outside the capital cities. Yass is thus extremely fortunate to have won the support of the Royal Military College Band, together with detachments from 4/3 Royal New South Wales Reserve and the Sydney University Regiment for our 80th Anniversary Commemoration.