Reception and Ceremony of Beating Retreat at the Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Imjin Barracks, Innsworth

Bob was invited by Lt General Sir James Bucknall KCB, CBE, Commander Allied Reaction Corps to a Reception and Ceremony of Beating Retreat to celebrate HM The Queen’s Birthday at the Officers’ Mess, Imjin Barracks, Innsworth, Gloucestershire on the evening of Wednesday 19th June.  The Reception and Beating Retreat marked three years since the arrival of Headquarters ARRC to Imjin Barracks and provided an opportunity to thank the local community for their continued welcome, help and support.  It also provided the opportunity to tell visitors what the Headquarters have been up to over the past year.  The Headquarters has now assumed the role of NATO Response Force which it will hold throughout 2013.  This requires the ARRC to be ready to respond at short notice, as directed by NATO and the British Government, to crisis situations as a Corps or Theatre headquarters.  The Programme of Music was provided by the Corps of Drums 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and The Band and Bugles of the Rifles.  The turnout was superb and the ceremony was carried out in the best  military tradition.