Watching this weekends displays I noted how varied the Regiments were in height, particularly the Guards. These were once selected as much as anything by height, going on to be policemen who were recruited between Five foot ten to 6ft+ Being of a similar height their natural pace was similar man to man. Whilst the RSM is equipped with a Pace Stick Similar to an engineers Calliper, he now has to ensure that the lines march at a pace that the long, the short and the tall can, if possible, naturally maintain. A bit like putting Army Cadets on Parade. It must have made some of our ex Guardsmen grimace with pain when watching the Television. The ones I knew were never the most patient or understanding at the best of times.
Was once on a freedom of the city march past. All done to parade seniority of line - as RAF we were tail end charlie but the comedy act was the units before and after the carnage the pace of The Rifles caused! Ross
