Grey cadets do it again
ON a cold and blustery Friday afternoon, Grey High School cadet detachment yet again came up trumps. Almost in honour of the retired rector, Mr N Crawford (who was in attendance as a spectator for once), and in honour of the new rector, Mr CB Erasmus, a military display of infinite precision was rendered.
The “trooping of the colour” is the most intricate and complex of all regular military parades, and it was done to near perfection.
Guest of honour, taking the salute on the podium, was Brigadier-General (retired) Raymond Cumming, who had a distinguished career in the SADF, and after 1994 in the SANDF, and who happens also to be an Old Grey man.
Accolades to the cadet detachment officer commanding, Major SJ van Niekerk, including his officers responsible for Friday’s parade – Lieutenant A Scholtz and Mr Z Marx, and especially Mr S Lyon and Mr JJ van Niekerk for the superlative massed band.
The trooping of the colour is steeped in military tradition. It is believed that the ceremony known as the trooping of the colour originated from the Duke of Cumberland during the reign of George II.
The ceremony stems from the days of the early “mercenaries”, when the men were taught to use their flag as a rallying point in battle.
It became customary in the British Army, before a battle, to salute the colours by the beat of drums (this is where the expression “trooping” comes from), before carrying them along the ranks, so that every soldier could see them.
As a critical ex-soldier of many years experience, there is only one word to sum up Friday’s rendition – superlative. It was the first ever I have witnessed where the national flag, as well as the detachment colour, were trooped in unison at the same parade.
Keep up the traditions Grey High cadet detachment – one should never discount the significance of history.
Ralph A van Niekerk, colonel (retired), Port Elizabeth