Moral Component

deputies who are to assume their full duties in the absence of the primary member. Any member of the Mess Committee who leaves the station for more than ten days should inform the PMC, who must appoint a suitable relief.

Mess Committee meetings should be held as directed by the PMC. General Mess meetings, chaired by the PMC and attended by the majority of the Mess members, should be held twice a year.

Mess Rules

Officers’ Messes used to conform to a set of regimentally produced Mess Rules. Given that messes are run under a civilian contract these days, specific rules for the administrative running of Messes should still continue and these should be produced at each location. Notwithstanding the contract however, there is a requirement to understand and continue the many fine traditions that have been built up over many years amongst the antecedent Regiments. As with so many other aspects of Regimental life we need to ensure that the Golden Thread of these traditions is maintained.

Practice

The member responsible for routine Mess Discipline shall be known as the “Senior Living In Member.” He shall be the senior Member living in the Mess and shall be appointed by the PMC.

It is customary in the Regiment to address the Commanding Officer as ‘Colonel’ in the Mess and on other informal occasions, and all other officers, up to and including Majors, by their first names.

Members shall rise when the Commanding Officer enters the Anteroom for the first time each day, and each time he enters before meals.

On Regimental Guest Nights and Dinner Nights, except when otherwise ordered, Members shall be present in the Anteroom fifteen minutes before dinner is announced. Should a Member be late in arriving in the Anteroom before dinner he shall make formal apology to the senior Member present.

There shall be no standing of drinks in the Mess. The gesture of Members offering drinks to other Members may be made, but the Mess Waiters shall be instructed to charge such drinks relatively to the Members concerned.

Guests & Honorary Members

Regimental Guests as decided by the Commanding Officer may be invited to the Mess. Officers are encouraged to invite their own private guests into the Mess but are to be responsible for ensuring they adhere to Mess etiquette. Mess members must be able to explain various regimental traditions and historical aspects to guests as necessary.

Expenses incurred by regimental guests shall be paid for on a pro-rata basis according to the rank of members. Expenses incurred by private guests shall be paid for in all respects by their hosts.

All guests shall be introduced on their first arrival to the Senior Member present. Members shall rise whenever any visitor or guest enters the Anteroom for the first time.

On Regimental Guest Nights and other formal functions, the PMC shall detail Members to meet the Regimental Guests on their arrival at the front door of the Mess Building. No Member shall leave the Mess until after the last Regimental Guest has departed from the Mess.

Any Mess Member may bring a guest into the Anteroom or bar whenever a member so wishes. Mess members must ensure any guests are correctly hosted. If a guest is waiting for someone, they are to be made to feel welcome and at home until that person arrives. No guest is to be accommodated in the Mess overnight unless specific authority has been granted by the PMC.

The PMC shall submit to the Commanding Officer from time to time the names of those people suggested as Honorary Members of the Mess. The Mess Secretary shall maintain a record of addresses of all Honorary Members of the Mess.

Financial Matters

Mess Subscriptions as laid down by Queen’s Regulations and contributions as laid down by the Commanding Officer shall be paid by all Members for the following: Ɋ Entertainments Ɋ Honorary Colours

Ɋ Silver Ɋ Drums Ɋ Sport Ɋ Presentations Ɋ Mess Improvements Ɋ Mess Insurance Ɋ Extra Messing Ɋ Subscriptions (TV, Satellite, Periodicals, lnternet, etcetera)

Members absent from duty through sickness shall pay subscriptions in accordance with Queen’s Regulations. Members on courses and detachments shall also pay subscriptions in accordance with Queen’s Regulations.

Mess bills must be paid within seven days of receipt. Members leaving the Mess on posting or release should pay their Mess bills before departure.

Expenditure from the Capital Fund of the Mess shall not be permitted without reference to a Mess Meeting. Any expenditure from the Nominal Funds of the Mess which is likely to incur a debit balance in any such fund at the end of the quarter, shall be brought to the attention of Members at a Mess Meeting.

The whole of the Mess Silver and the Mess Property shall be insured, and the cost of the premiums shall be charged to Mess Funds.

Detachments of the Mess shall be given financial assistance in accordance with Queen’s Regulations. Detachments of the Mess shall be given assistance with such property as may be required in accordance with Queen’s Regulations.

Regimental Guest Nights

It is the duty of all Mess members to be aware of the customs and traditions of the Regiment and, on occasions, the antecedent regiments. Outlined here are some of the traditions of the Regiment, though local customs may vary. The President and his Vice will act as Chairmen in all proceedings and it is their responsibility to ensure Mess customs and traditions are fully observed at all times.

All guests shall be allotted a host by the PMC prior to a Mess occasion. All officers shall be in the main Anteroom prior to the arrival of the guests. The President shall inform the Commanding Officer that the Dining Room is ready, this will be followed by a 5-minute bugle call to notify other members; this in turn will be followed by the final call for dinner. The senior guest will be accompanied by the Commanding Officer followed by the President who shall be unaccompanied. All guests will then be led in by their respective hosts in order of seniority.

Whilst a Regimental guest remains seated at the table no officer may leave the table until the Commanding Officer has retired to the Anteroom. If for an urgent reason an officer must leave, the PMC must be consulted first. The President and Vice are to be the last to leave.

No officer should handle the Regimental Silver until after the Loyal Toasts.

No smoking is allowed in the Mess at any time. Snuff, where applicable, shall only be taken once permission is given by the President. This will not be forthcoming until after the Loyal Toasts.

All officers should familiarise themselves with the details of the Loyal Toast prior to attending dinner:

The Sovereign. As soon as the dining table has been cleared and all the Mess Staff, except for the Mess Sergeant, shall have withdrawn from the dining room, the President shall bang the gavel, whereupon both he and the Vice-President shall rise. The former shall announce, “Mr Vice, The Queen.” Both shall then be seated.

Both the President and the Vice-President shall then remove the stoppers from the decanter that has been placed in front of them, and circulate them in a clockwise direction, having first filled their own glass. When the decanters have been circulated round the table, and all the diners shall have filled their glasses, the President and the Vice-President shall replace the stoppers.

The Vice-President shall then bang his gavel, whereupon both he and the President shall rise and the former shall announce, “[Ladies and] Gentlemen, The Queen.” All the diners shall then rise, and the attending Band shall play the National Anthem. The diners shall then proceed to drink the health of the Sovereign and shall then be seated.

The Colonel in Chief. The practice is then repeated in exactly the same manner for the Colonel in Chief. The President shall bang the gavel,

whereupon both he and the Vice-President shall rise. The former shall announce, “Mr Vice, our Colonel in Chief.” Both shall then be seated.

Both the President and the Vice-President shall then remove the stoppers from the decanter that has been placed in front of them, and circulate them in a clockwise direction, having first filled their own glass. When the decanters have been circulated round the table, and all the diners shall have filled their glasses, the President and the Vice-President shall replace the stoppers.

The Vice-President shall then bang his gavel, whereupon both he and the President shall rise and the former shall announce, “[Ladies and] Gentlemen, our Colonel in Chief.” All the diners shall then rise, and the attending Band shall play the National Anthem. The diners shall then proceed to drink the health of the Colonel in Chief and shall then be seated.

It remains the responsibility of the President to ensure that everyone present is aware of the procedure.

Regimental Ladies Night – at a formal Regimental Ladies Night, it would be appropriate to propose the health of “The Ladies” as an extra Toast.

Music Programme – The programme of music for a dinner traditionally comprises the following: Ɋ Officers’ Mess Call – 15 minutes and 5 minutes before the appointed hour for dinner to be served. Ɋ ‘Roast Beef of Olde England’ – To be played as the officers and guests move into the Dining Room. Ɋ Incidental Music – During dinner a selection of music will be played as previously agreed between the PMC and the Bandmaster. Ɋ Loyal Toasts – The National Anthem will be played, for both the Toast to the Sovereign and the Toast to the Colonel in Chief.

After the Loyal Toasts have been drunk, an additional chair will be drawn up between the Commanding Officer and his senior guest. The PMC will then instruct the Mess Colour Sergeant to invite the most senior member of the Band to come in. He/she will then sit with the Commanding Officer and be offered a glass of port.

Although considered outdated, the Messes may pass round snuff after the Loyal Toasts. The taking of this is entirely optional.

Immediately following dinner, the Band may entertain the officers and their guests with a short selection of music. Regimental Marches of military guests may then be played in order of the guests’ seniority. The Regimental Marches of attached officers are not normally played. The marches will conclude with the Regimental Quick March. It is not unusual for the Corps of Drums to be invited to perform after dinner as an alternative.

Seating Plans

At formal Luncheons and Dinners, it is usual to have a seating plan. The formal seating plan for a straight table would be as follows: Ɋ The Commanding Officer would sit in the centre of one side. The

President would sit at the end of the table on the Commanding

Officer’s right. Mr. Vice would sit at the end of the table on the

Commanding Officer’s left. The Second-in-Command would sit opposite the Commanding Officer. Ɋ If there are no guests, the PMC should sit on the Commanding Officer’s right. All other officers then sit in order of seniority down each side of the table from the Commanding Officer and Second-in-Command. Ɋ If there are Male guests only, the senior guest sits on the Commanding

Officer’s right between the Commanding Officer and the PMC. The second senior guest sits on the Second-in-Command’s right, the third senior on the Commanding Officer’s left, the fourth senior on the Second-in-Command’s left, the fifth senior on the PMC’s right, and so on in order. Ɋ If there are female guests as well, then the Commanding Officer shall give guidance to the PMC.

The seating plan is to be neatly drawn. It is to show at least the rank and name of all dining and possibly initials and decorations as well. Name cards are to be used on the table and should show the rank and name only. The position of the Colours in relation to the table is to be appropriately marked.