DRUMMING OUT CEREMONY
As Remembered by William (Bill) Lawrie
In 1948 I did my Square Bashing at RAF Cardington and half way through my training course about 7 or 6 recruit training flights, plus permanent staff, were marched on to the square and assembled in a horse-shoe line up facing the saluting dais.
The Station Commander (Group Captain) and 2 Wing Commanders joined the parade and stood on the saluting dais. The Adjutant, a Squadron Leader, and 2 Flight Lieutenants, were standing on the square in front of the saluting dais, 2 drummers with side drums were positioned one either side of the dais.
The Adjutant brought the parade to attention and the 2 drummers started drumming. Two RAF Police (Snow Drops) escorted a hatless corporal on to the square and halted in front of the saluting dais. The drumming stopped and the Adjutant read out from a clipboard a list of offences that the corporal had committed – namely stealing money and other valuables from and borrowing money from recruits and not paying them back, under his command. There were other offences read out which I could not hear properly. I do remember hearing the words “Dismissed in disgrace” and “Dishonourable discharge”.
The Adjutant signaled for the drummers to commence and he then tore off the chevrons from the sleeves of the corporal (no doubt they were loosely held on). The drumming volume increased and the accused and his Snow Drop escorts were marched round the square so that all could see his shame and the tears in his eyes.
The officers on parade left the square and we were marched back to our billets. Our Corporal Drill Instructor told us more details of his offences and told us that he was doing these offences for some considerable time before being caught and that he was being sent to Shepton Mallet, the Military Prison, before being booted out of the RAF.
The Glass House at Colchester was for punishment for delinquents with less serious offences and was for Corrective Training.
This was a very moving ceremony and I do believe it was the last Drumming Out Ceremony conducted in the RAF.