Army - Sandhurst passing out

[cakesandchocolate]

We are attending my sons passing out parade at Sandhurst next week and I’m struggling to get any info out of him!
Has anyone been to one and can tell me a rough schedule? We’re attending the parade and the lunch. I need to book a train afterwards so could do with an exit time.
Any info on the day would be great! (I’ve got an outfit and the tissues ready..)

Anyone please?!

My guess is there won't be an official end time. People will start drifting away after lunch depending on how far they have to travel. If you leave at 2 you won't be the first to leave and if you're still there at 3 you won't be the last. That's not based on specific knowledge of Sandhurst but on general knowledge of how establishment events centring on a mid morning formal ceremony followed by a lunch will be structured at thousands of British institutions. They don't vary much. The British Establishment knows that people will only have so much tolerance fir hanging about once they've had their egg&cress sarnie & sausage roll from the buffet. There's sometimes an opportunity to join an optional tour after lunch but you are usually quite at liberty to go when it suits you.

Not been to sandhurst but been to Dartmouth, similar ceremony. We booked a fancy restaurant for lunch rather than the overpriced canteen offering (i had it once before, never again) I loaded the car with most of DD's stuff and we had dinner in the evening, went out for drinks etc. I had a hotel booked.

DS passed out ... 3 years ago?. I didn't attend because younger siblings had to go to school. DS's dad & gran went. They drove so didn't have your timing problem. Do you really need to book train in advance, can't you get open ticket?

Obviously depends how long your train journey home is. I seem to recall xH & the Gran got away about 2:30 or 3pm. The lunches ime tend to be standing up & the new officers have a lot of things to do so it's not as social as you might hope.

There are possibly facebook groups for the relatives attending, look into that.

There is a lot of standing around before lunch too.. DS had an injury which meant he didn't even get to parade on the day. But was great to support him.

Make sure you wrap up warm. The soldiers themselves withstand crazy cold temps during the ceremony. Who is the speaker this time? I think DS got Princess Anne.

The actual ceremony was over around 12.30pm and the on base lunch was at 1.30 if I remember correctly

What day is it, have you got an invitation with the times on it, there's stuff online for the one on 7th August.

Thanks all.
the train is for getting to London hopefully to see a show (ABBA voyage - not yet booked, hence seeing if the timings will work!)
we’ve not had a written invitation yet!