Military Sunday

[nfh249]

Apologies for being slightly off topic but I have a couple of pre-war postcards depicting 'Military Sunday' parades in Hull and York. What exactly were they? Was it just a regular Church Parade or was there a special reason to designate a particular Sunday a Military Sunday?

Cheers,

Neil.

[nfh249]

Can no one shed any light?

Apologies for being slightly off topic but I have a couple of pre-war postcards depicting 'Military Sunday' parades in Hull and York. What exactly were they? Was it just a regular Church Parade or was there a special reason to designate a particular Sunday a Military Sunday?

Cheers,

Neil.

[centurion]

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...st&p=162095

[IPT]

Various snippets which may give some clues;

In May, the Mayor and Mrs Bentley, together with civic dignitaries, represented the Borough of Pontefract at the annual Military Sunday held in the medieval setting of the City of York. A military parade involving 400 soldiers and military bandsmen, was accompanied by a service in York Minster conducted by the Bishop of Whitby and attended by 4,000 people, followed by a civic luncheon. (30)

The York Symphony Orchestra was requisitioned to supply the music in York Minster on "Military Sunday" while the garrison troops were absent at the Boer War.

Before the war, Military Sunday in York was the occasion for thousands of people to throng the streets to watch the parade. This year it would be held on May 2, when it would be known as Thanksgiving Sunday. Nine bands and almost 1,000 troops would be on parade, and a special service would be held in York Minster. Afterwards the parade the troops would re-ensemble in Dean's Park before marching through the streets past the saluting base, where the Earl of Scarborough, Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding, would take the salute. The Royal Signals band would play in the Minster, and the band of the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment would provide the music at the saluting base, with the bands of the 1st Battalion Cameronians, 1st Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Yorkshire Hussars (TA), the 5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (TA), 4th KOYLI and the drum and fife band of the Army Apprentices' School, Harrogate also playing on the day.

[centurion]

Military Sunday parades in York began in 1885 as a memorial to General Gordon's death in Khartoum. It was cerainly celebrated as late as 1932 with a service in York Minster. Thirsk also had a military Sunday

http://www.thirskweb.com/page216.htm

http://www.thirskweb.com/page221.htm

[NigelS]

From The Times Monday, Aug 31, 1936; pg. 14; Issue 47467; col B; Article CS236007199

Category: Obituaries

NigelS

Edit according to http://www.generals.dk/general/Kirke/Sir_W...at_Britain.html

Son Walter went on to be CoC Home Forces 1939-40 before retiring in 1940

[nfh249]

Thanks all, they were indeed interesting snippets. At least now I have a little background to my postcards...

Cheers,

Neil.