Over Twelve Hundred on Parade Before Brigadier Barrett This year's inspection of the S.V.C. "on -April 26 consisted of different ceremonial from the us tial practice, owing to the unsui able condition' of the Polo Ground.
Tt was divided into two separate events, as the march past including the. mechanized units of the Corps would probably have damaged the ground beyond repair. It was particularly unfortunate, as the <day turned out brilliantly fine and there were thousands of spectators along the saluting line.
The first half of the coremoni consisted of the inspection of ranks} by the inspecting officer, Brigadier 0.C. Barrett, commanding the British troops of the Shanghai Area, The second part consisted of the Corps: marching past the inspecting officer. jin column of route, at the saluting base at the Countty Club. 1,250 anon were on parade, and all ranks are to be congratulated on the good showing they made, The Corps is a very complex organization, and necessitates great attention to detail, to ensure the smooth running of any ceremonial which embraces the drills of the many nationalities, and variously equipped fighting forces. Yesterday the timing, which is the most Important part of any ceremo worked out well. Units were assembled and in their correct positions on the Race Course in ample time, a fact that is especially creditable in view of the existing transport difficulties The infantry assembled as al Battalion on the Widow's Monunuent ground, and after presenting arms to the Corps colours, carried cly Lieut. Jensen, of the Light Gun' Battery, escorted by five sergeants drawn from different units, the battalion marched on to the parade ground behind the band and drums of the Green Howards. As they arched on from the west, the cavalry and mechanized units advanced from the east, the cavalry, and infantry merging into one long Vine which stretched beyond the Aength of the polo ground. The mechanical units took up a second line 40 yards in rear.
'This is a new formation, and was adopted owing to the softness of the ground. It looks very' effective, as" the corps can better seen as a whole in a double Hine than in an extended line stretching along the Widow's Monunent ground, The mechanical transport seem-to be on its best behaviour. Only one car struck work but was soon put to rights the expert handling of one of the Armoured Car officers. The ponies of the cavalry, beyond evineing slight nervousness when the band came near them, were on the whole very well behave,—The most impressive sight of the after. noon was the seemingly acver ending Vino of the glistening bayonets of the infantry.
The volunteers deserve much praise for the steadiness of all ranks on the inspection line. Hard-a movement. could be sce, yond the ordered movements of drill.
(On the arrival of the inspecting offer, the Commandant, Colonel Mi. B. Orpen. Palmer, caite., D0, aited the parade to attention, and Sloped arms. As the inspecting oticer came up to the saluting point, the municipal flag was brok the Corps came to the general tute. Considering the variety rational drils included in this move. ment, the ceremony was remarkably ell carried out. 'The Brigadier than rode round the ranks, and the first part of the parade was over. 'The Corps. stood "fast for. afew tninutes, to enable spectators to get clear of the recreation ground, -t0 take up their petitions along' the Tine of mare.
Led by the band and drums of the Green Howards, the Corps rioved off in column of route in the following order:—The Commandant and, the Adjutant, followed by the Light Horse with their Machine Gun Section, and after them the American Troop with their Lewis Gun Section. Then the Field Art lry Battery (Howitzers) four in number, and the Light Gun Battery with their 275 guns, also four ins Mr. Fritz Reiber, number, mounted on their "new trailers, the Engineer Company with their two lorries, then the Communication Car of the Armoured Car Company, followed by their ten Armoured Cars.
After this came the second in command of the Corps, immediately preceding the Corps colour and its escort.
"A" Company was well turned out and marched well leading the Tong line of infantry units. "B" Company and the Reserves came next and looked thoroughly efficient. Then the American Company, well represented, a most useful asset the Corps.
'The Portuguese Company in good strength and marliiing well: the Japanese Company, conscious of their many recently' acquired Corps trophies, but unfortunately not up to their usual strength; the nese Company, always one of the Keenest and moat hard working units; the Shanghai Scottish, making up in smartness what they lacked in numbers, and always a source of interest to spectators: the Russian Company, very well represented and always imposing: the Russian Detachment, a highly trained and most formidable part of the Corps, whose marching always calls forth much admiration; the Cadet Corps, thet ground for future members of the Corps; and at the end of the column rode Major T. A. Zee.
After passing the saluting base, the band wheeled into the com: pound of the Country Club, and played the units past. The Corps then marched via Yates Road and Avenue Foch to Mohawk Road where they were again met by the band, who played them to the Football Club ground, where they were dismissed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.