Grenadier Guards Band Visits Suffield

CFB Suffield was treated to some pomp and circumstance last Wednesday evening as only the premier band of the British Army can deliver it. The Band of the Grenadier Guards performed the Beating the Retreat ceremony, a sunset concert and an annual tradiiton at Suffield. The band had a busy schedule touring Southern Alberta, and was in Suffield to complete a year of celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of British Army Training Unit Suffield.

This makes three British military bands that I've had the privilege to see and hear during my posting at Suffield, and this band was far and away the best. The quality of their footdrill, as well as their musical ability, was amazing and showed the Brigade of Guards traditions to good effect.

The Guards are no strangers to Suffield. A Grenadier Guards battle group came through Suffield last year, all business, to train for Afghanistan and went over early this year. It was good to see the ceremonial face of the regiment this time. And there they go, off into the sunset.