Hong Kong 1961. The visit of the commander R.A.S.C. Every spare moment for weeks had been spent in preparation. Best Battle dress cleaned and pressed by the 'dhoby walla'.Boots polished till they shon like jet,webbing scrubbed white then re-blancoed and finally wrapped in clean dusters to preserve it in pristine condition.and finally drill.The C.S.M. had the company on the square every available day untill our armes ached from rifle drill and our feet grew sore from all the stamping.

Unbeknown to us however some one further up the line had decided that as the Corps was once horse orientated the young subalterns comanding the parade sections were to be mounted. These young men had in most cases never seen a horse, let alone ridden one since they had left Sandhurst and a few lessons had been hastily arranged up at the Mule Pack Co. at Lo Wu. But no time was allowed for a man to get to know his mount,or vice versa.This was to lead inevitably to problems.

The parade got under way as we swung onto the squqre to the music of a military band. Boots shining, bayonets glinting,our rifles woodwork polished to a deep mahogany shine.The officers at the head of each section,their horses resplendant in polished leather and shining brass, were already having a little difficulty controling their mounts as the horses ears flicked back and forth as various unfamiliar sounds crashed out around them. Their eyes wide with aprehension, their mouths frothing eith nervous energy and their feet dancing as their riders strugled to controle them.

Finally the parade formed in line with the riders positioned in front of each squadron and all seemed to settle down as the various parade commanders handed over to each other and did the other mysterious things officers on parade do untill the order to march into open order was recieved.Unknown to us the other officers had moved their mounts forward in anticipation of the order, but the one in front of us had decided enough was enough and was refusing to budge.

The order was given"Front rank one pace step forward- Rear rank one pace step back -into order - March". Every one with the exception of the man standing directly behind the horse crashed into place.That was enough for the poor horse,lifting his tail he did what all horses inevitably do and droped a steaming pile onto the boots of the poor soldier standing behind him. There was a momentary pause while the men who had steped forward glanced nervously at the stationary horse and in that moment a voice rang out loud and clear "Sir, your 'orse has just shit on my boots".

Uncontroled giggling broke out and spread like ripples in a pond up and down the ranks. The Subaltern carefully dismounted and glancing shame faced at the offended soldier slowly led his horse away.But the damage was done and from that moment on the parade was a complete and utter shambles.