Household Division Beating Retreat

History Of Beating Retreat

Beating Retreat has its origins in the early years of organised warfare when beating or sounding retreat called a halt to the days fighting, a return to camp and the mounting of the guard for the night.

An order from the army of James II of England, dated to 18 June 1690, had his drums beating an order for his troops to retreat and a later order, from William III in 1694, read: 
"The Drum Major and Drummers of the Regiment which gives a Captain of the Main Guard are to beat the Retreat through the large street, or as may be ordered.

They are to be answered by all the Drummers of the guards, and by four Drummers of each Regiment in their respective Quarters".

The original call of Retreat, to mark the end of the days fighting was beaten on drums as were most battle orders.

The use of brass bugles, as military signaling device, came to England in 1764 where it was gradually accepted in the foot regiments.

The Massed Bands we see today are a modern innovation, added to provide spectacle, to the Beating Retreat ceremony.

Getting To Horse Guards

Address: Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AX

By Underground - The nearest tube stations are:

• Charing Cross - About 6 minutes walk. Bakerloo, & Northern line
• Embankment - 10 minutes walk Bakerloo, Northern, District & Circle line

By Train - Nearest, mainline, train station:

• Charing Cross - About 6 minutes walk

By Bus - Bus Numbers: 11, 12, 159, 24, 3, 453, 53, 87, 88, N109, N11, N136, N155, N2, N3, N381, N44, N87

By Car - Not recommended, Whitehall is in the congestion charge zone. Parking is difficult to find and expensive.

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