An unexpected parade

We  just popped into Esher this morning to get Guy a haircut (his CCF officers were starting to complain) and found the whole place somewhat en fête for a march past by 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery personnel returning from Afghanistan.  

13 pdr gun

Sandown Park race course is just up the High Street and it was Royal Artillery Gold Cup day so we also had members of the King's Troop, Royal House Artillery, The Royal Artillery Band and the Royal Artillery Pipes and Drums. It was all rather stirring!

Quite a few of the gunners in the King's troop were ladies: they were first accepted into the unit in 1996.

The L118 105mm light gun as used by the parachute and commando regiments

It was good to see a fair crowd out to support them and even some Union flags being waved by the little ones.  At least it shows that not everyone living in this area are American or Japanese bankers, foreign footballers or Russian oligarchs!

Charlotte is showing a horrible interest in attending Edinburgh University.  I told her that she would have to get used to the incessant skirl of bagpipes.  Unfortunately she is one eighth Scottish (on her mother's side) and appears to actually like bagpipe music, tragically!

The salute was taken by the splendidly named General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey.

Charlotte watches as the Honourable Artillery Company parade back up the High Street.  I see this lot around the City a lot but hadn't seem them so far from home before.