There weren’t 76 trombones leading the big parade, but there were bagpipes, a bugle and three cannon blasts.

The annual Lord Clyde Parade made its way around Clyde’s historic district to the bemusement and appreciation of locals and visitors enjoying the midday sunshine on Sunday (October 23).

“What is going on?” was the question on many people’s lips as the first cannon blast sounded from up on the hill, followed by the appearance of a band of marchers in historic costumes. 

Representatives of the British army, a few Florence Nightingale era nurses and a “wounded” veteran were led by a bagpiper and top-and-tails dressed gentleman. 

Why? To commemorate the October birth of Clyde’s namesake.

“The Historic Clyde group was looking for something new to do to help keep the town vibrant,” parade organiser John Cockcroft said. 

Nurses with a wounded soldier.

“We started the parade in 2017, which was the 225th anniversary of Lord Clyde’s birth and it has grown year by year.”

Back in the day, Alexandra was known as Lower Dunstan and Clyde as Upper Dunstan, which became confusing. Both towns were renamed, with Upper Dunstan being named Clyde in 1865 after Scottish-born Field Marshal Colin Campbell, 1st

Baron Clyde, a British Army Officer during the 19th century.

“Baron Clyde was a well-known hero in those days which is why the name was chosen,” John said.

Clyde became Commander-in-chief of India while it was a British colony after a long military career, was buried at Westminster Abbey and is commemorated by statues in London and Glasgow. 

At the end of the march, marked by the second shot of the canon, top-and-tails dressed Rory Butler read Lord Clyde’s lifetime achievements to the public from his scroll.

The crowd listens to the reading of the scroll.

“They don’t change much from year to year,” he quipped.

Sunday’s “thin red line” was roped into participating in the march with “the promise of a rose and liqueur,” John said. The participants looked like they were having fun and the public enjoyed the spectacle.

A final cannon blast shook the hill after the reading of the scroll, and the armed forces disbanded for another year.

PHOTOS: The Central App