Canada 150, and the Queen's Guard – The Royal Canadian Artillery Band By Captain Chris Embree

On 18 Jun 2017 The Royal Canadian Artillery Band and the 2nd PPCLI will march proudly in full Scarlets and RCA Ceremonial Dress onto the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace to mount the Queen's Guard. It was many months ago when the Queen herself asked if the Canadians would mount Public Duties at Buckingham Palace and honouring Canada's 150th Birthday.

Fast forward to February 2017 and planning was in full swing with the completion of a TAC Recce in . Myself and my Band Sergeant Major, MWO Dan Keels, carried out an insightful 3 days of learning what it means to mount the Queen's Guard. Having boots on the ground was very rewarding as we acquired numerous details needed for the task ahead. When not being chauffeured around by our UK friends we were treated to all things British including fine pub food and the many choices of refreshments. Within the planning and preparations a full new set of RCA Ceremonial Dress is being tailored as we speak. This will surely heighten the pomp and circumstance surrounding our first mounting of the Queen's Guard.

Prior to deploying to London The RCA Band will perform along side the Battalion for the Consecration of their new Colour in Shilo, MB. The RCA Band will again return to Shilo for two weeks of work-up training for mounting Public Duties directed by members of the UK House Hold Division. This will provide the contingent with a safe environment to work out all the details prior to parading on the world stage at Buckingham Palace.

The RCA Band's involvement while in London will include a number of performances. It all starts with the Beating of the Retreat at Horse Guards Parade on 14-15 Jun 2017 where The RCA Band will take center stage performing with the five Guards Bands of the House Hold Division. It will be an impressive sight of music and celebration. The performance will feature a very moving piece titled “Passchendaele”, in reference to the battle, that will include the piling of the drums and the placement of two World War heritage drums, one British and one Canadian, atop of the drum alter symbolizing the collaborative efforts of our two great nations. The RCA Band along with our counter parts the Royal Artillery Band will perform for Her Majesty's Birthday Celebrations as part of the Gun Salute in Green Park on 17 Jun 2017. The main focus of our time in London will be mounting the Queen's Guard and Windsor Castle Guard from 18 Jun to 03 July 2017. During that time when the RCA Band is mounting the New Guard at Buckingham Palace a bugler will be tasked to perform the Last Post at the at the strike of the first bell at 2200 hrs.

To celebrate Canada Day there are plans for the RCA Band to perform at Trafalgar Square in the afternoon to help bring life to this special day all the way across the pond. There are other performances in the works in support of Canada 150 Celebrations for Canadian officials and Military Personnel in London.

It will once again be a great honour for The RCA Band to represent the Regiment while marching proudly down the streets of London and on the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace.