What a fantastic tournament we had!
The British Military Tournament 2012 took place at Earls Court on 8 and 9 December. It was an unforgettable and breathtaking opportunity to marvel at the skills and precision of the British Armed Forces while showing appreciation for our heroic servicemen and women. Bringing together the best elements from the world-famous Royal Tournament into a dazzling 21st Century arena production, this is the most unique display of military theatre anywhere in the world.
The Tournament exists to raise much-needed funds to support the brave men and women of our Armed Forces as well as their families. By attending you help the three national charities of the British Armed Forces - The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, ABF The Soldiers' Charity and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. They work together to be there for each and every member of our military family.
To mark the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of 2012, this year’s British Military Tournament celebrated the life and times of Her Majesty The Queen. Featuring all three Armed Forces of the Crown and a host of celebrity contributors, the show started with the events of 1926 (the year of The Queen’s birth) and told the story of the ensuing years up to and including the current engagement in Afghanistan.
The programme included:
- Over 600 participants; including active combat servicemen and women plus musicians from the Royal Navy & Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force.
- Over 150 horses including the iconic Musical Drive of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, the Light Cavalry Honourable Artillery Company and the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars.
- The bands of the Royal Marines, the Household Cavalry, the Royal Artillery and the Royal Air Force, the gymnasts of the Royal Navy performing their celebrated Window Ladder display and the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force presenting its drill display.
- The only chance to see the legendary Field Gun Run, featuring two crews from Wellington College battling it out in a dramatic, nail-biting contest over the walls and chasms of an unforgiving obstacle course.
- For the first time since the year of The Queen’s birth, the horses of the Household Cavalry competing with the motorcycles of the Royal Signals’ White Helmets over an obstacle course which included jumps and flaming hoops.
- A battle re-enactment featuring the Royal Logistic Corps in a dramatic bomb disposal in Afghanistan.
- The largest massed bagpipe band seen at Earls Court since the Second World War.
- Live commentary from Anthony Andrews and contributions from Robert Lindsay, Penelope Keith and Dan Snow.
