Beating Retreat at Hole Park

Promo Clip from Last Years Event

Beating Retreat

by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas

Friday 26″ June 2026
Queen’s Regimental Association Corps of Drums
The Cranbrook Town Band
Presented to you by the Kent Committee of the Army Benevolent Fund

Who We Are

The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army’s national charity, here for soldiers, past and present, and their families for life.What we do:We stand at the forefront of support for the Army family, last year supporting an estimated 80,000 people in 52 countries around the world. As one of the largest funders in the sector, we award grants to individuals and families, and fund leading organisations that support soldiers, former soldiers, and their families. When we hear of a person or family in need, we aim to respond within 48 hours.Key Facts

• Our total charitable expenditure was over £9.2 million, ensuring a complete spectrum of support to around 80,000 members of the Army family.
• We have supported the British Army family all over the world – in 52 countries.
• Our support is truly ‘for life’ with individuals supported aged from three years old to 105 years old.
• We funded 93 other charities and organisations that are providing specialist support to the Army family.

We are ABF The Soldiers’ Charity ‘For Soldiers – For Life’

Find out more : Army Benevolent Fund

Hole Park is a family home, renowned for 16 acres of glorious and varied gardens. The garden was first laid out in the 1920s: a mixture of formal, meadow and woodland gardens using the wonderful contours within the High Weald National Landscape and the pre-existing ancient trees as a backdrop. We are known for our extensive yew topiary within the formal gardens, and particular highlights include the amazing displays of bluebells, spring blossom, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias and autumn colours but with much to see between those months.

Hole Park was shortlisted for the prestigious Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award 2025, coming a creditable and close second to a much larger attraction with 10 times as many visitors in the public vote. I hope that the small part of the gardens you will see tonight, will encourage you to return to enjoy them during our open season.

Find out more : https://www.holepark.com/

The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas:
A Brief History

Founded in November 1859 within the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment in India, the band started with 16 bandsmen. By 1886, a second battalion added more musicians, supporting both battalions musically and serving as medical assistants during operations.

Following India’s partition in 1947, the 2nd Gurkhas joined the British Army. The band was reformed in 1949, with Captain JPC Bailey MBE appointed as the first Director of Music in 1951. Known for dynamic performances including Nepali folk tunes and traditional dances, the band operated from Hong Kong and the UK. In 1991, it served in the Gulf War, providing frontline medical support. After Hong Kong’s handover in 1994, the band settled permanently in the UK.

Relocated to Shorncliffe Barracks in 2000, the band deployed to Bosnia and Afghanistan in the early 2000s. A new ceremonial uniform was introduced in 2002, and from 2004 the band toured Nepal to support Defence Engagement. Marking 200 years of Gurkha service in 2015, the band performed at high-profile events including Buckingham Palace and the Gurkha Pageant. In 2018, bandsmen deployed to Afghanistan to entertain troops.

Since 2019, the band has toured Nepal annually, providing musical training to Nepalese forces. In 2022, it played key roles in the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III.

Recently, the band has performed Public Duties at royal sites and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade.Recently, the band has performed Public Duties at royal sites and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade.

Musicians join after infantry training, followed by instruction at the Royal Military School of Music.

In September 2026, the band will relocate to improved facilities at Merville Barracks, Colchester, as part of wider Army Music restructuring. The band continues to tour globally, proudly showcasing Gurkha heritage and musical excellence.The band appears by kind permission of Major General GM Strickland DSO MBE, Colonel Commandant the Brigade of Gurkhas.