Saturday 15 June 2019

Durham - 8 Rifles Sound Retreat

Sounding Retreat is a ceremony conducted by the Rifles based upon the practice of using bugles as a means of communication which dates back to the 16th Century.

Rifles Bugles Durham Market Square

The Rifles were formed in 2007, it's lineage includes the Light Infantry (formed in 1968) which brought together county Light Infantry Regiments, one of which was the Durham Light Infantry (DLI).



Durham Light Infantry Memorial
Durham Market Square



Sounding Retreat is the Rifles equivalent of Beating Retreat. The Beating Retreat originated in the 16th century and was used to recall troops back to their quarters. Drums were used as a mechanism for communication. Drum calls would be exchanged between the troops outside the barracks and their headquarters. The returning troops would beat the retreat as they returned. As drums as a means of communication fell out of use, the practice developed into a ceremony.

The Light Infantry Regiments used bugles, not drums, to communicate. They Sounded Retreat, an exchange of bugle calls.

Light Infantry Bugler

The 8 Rifles Sounding Retreat was performed on Castle Green, Durham by the Bugles of 8 Rifles, Durham ACF Cadet Band and Rifles Bugle Veterans.

Sounding Retreat Durham June 2019

Sounding Retreat Durham June 2019

Sounding Retreat Durham June 2019
 

 
 
Durham June 2019 IJ / DM