Beating Retreat/1812

The RMC Beating Retreat ceremony is a highlight of the military year, drawing thousands of members of the public into the grounds of Duntroon to witness a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Members of the Corps of Staff Cadets and the Band of the Royal Military College carry out the official part of the evening's activities on the parade ground at dusk.

The parade is customarily followed by an entertaining concert put on by the RMC Band and culminating in a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, complete with a battery of 105 mm Hamel light field guns and an impressive fireworks display. If you have never been to Beating Retreat, you will not be left dissapointed!


Following a review in 2009, it is expected that this event will be held biannually in the Spring of even years. Please check the calendar Open in new window for dates.

To see photos of the 2006 Beating Retreat, held at the Australian War Memorial click here.

History

The first Australian Beating Retreat ceremony (including a performance of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture") was held at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1968. Although this inaugural performance was a relatively low-key affair, the ceremony has since become a regular event at RMC and is well supported by the service community and general public.

While the tradition dates back to 16th century England, the modern ceremony combines three customs:

  • The first custom was originally performed by drummers only, marching on the ramparts to warn the soldiers that evening guard duties would soon commence. It also signalled soldiers outside the fortifications and labourers in the fields that the gates were about to be closed and they should retire within the walls for the night.
  • The second custom was practised on battlefields in past times when the fighting ceased at sunset. Following the Beating Retreat, many of the old regiments would say a prayer or sing a hymn in honour of their fallen, and the evening guard would fire three musket volleys to "put flight to the evil spirits of the enemy dead".
  • The final custom derives from the practice of lodging the Regimental Colour in the Colour Ensign's quarter when the evening guard was mounted. In modern times, that custom has been replaced by the lowering of the Australian flag.