Firing a Royal Salute (colour photo)

Firing a Royal Salute. Saluting takes many forms, but the custom, however varying the mode of expression, may always be said to be a symbol of respect and a token of trust. The firing of guns as a salute, for instance, implies confidence by the very act of thus temporarily rendering these weapons inactive. Ceremonial salutes are fired on such occasions as the King's Birthday and the anniversary of the reigning monarch's accession to the Throne. We illustrate a gun of the "K" Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, taking part in a Royal Salute. The Royal Horse Artillery is one of the units of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, which was first established on a permanent basis in 1716. Previous to that year, various "trains of artillery" had been raised as occasion demanded. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy, Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.