Despite the smiles there was a tinge of regret from these former Gunners at the farewell party held at the Burnley Barracks on Friday to mark the closing of the Barracks at their headquarters.
Old soldiers from two world wars, the years between and the 20 years since the noise of battle subsided after WW2, were 'on parade' together at the Burnley Artillery Barracks on Friday evening to have a last look round the building which has housed them and their fellows, their weapons - and their proud memories for nearly a century and a half. The farewell party was organised jointly by the Burnley R.A. Association and 'P' Battery, 288 Light Air Defence Regiment, the last unit to use the barracks as headquarters - ending a long history of former units, including the 6th (Lancs) Battery, 203 Battery, 155 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 167 LAA Battery, 293 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, and 280 Light AA Regiment. Representatives of the various Royal Army Medical Corps Unit which were also stationed at the Barracks were also present.
The mayor of Burnley (Ald. J. E. Parkinson) and the mayoress (Miss E. M. Brierley) attended the party. A number of officers who saw service with the various units were also present, including LT. Col. J. M. H. Grey, Commanding Officer from 1951 to 1958, the last territorial army 'gunner' Co. at the barracks. Lt. Col. Alan Coppock, whose association with the barracks goes back to the old volunteers and who commanded the Home Guard Unit in 1950 was also among those present.
During the evening a film, 'right of the line' was screened. It outlined the history of the Royal Artillery and was obtained from the Army Film Unit.