THE arrival of an elite Nato corps at Imjin Barracks has been officially marked.

Following its move from Germany to Gloucester over the summer, HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) celebrated its arrived with a formal Beating Retreat ceremony at its new home, Imjin Barracks in Innsworth.

The Beating Retreat, a music and marching repertoire dating back hundreds of years, was ARRC's first chance to entertain the many supporters who had smoothed the HQ's move into the county.

It also allowed the corps to place on record its gratitude for the support from the local community.

Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Shirreff said: "We are very conscious of Gloucestershire's military heritage and honoured to be based at Imjin Barracks, a proud name which recognises the heroism of the Glorious Glosters in Korea.

"There was an inevitable sadness about leaving Rheindahlen, the ARRC's home for 16 years, a well-found base with excellent welfare and sporting facilities and where the local community was exceptionally supportive.

"However, we are in no doubt about the warmth of the welcome we are enjoying in Gloucestershire.

"We will be good neighbours and we look forward to contributing positively to your community in whatever way we can.

"Equally, we bring diversity, energy and enthusiasm and a fair amount of spending power.

"The ARRC is, above all, about doing things on operations and our near future will see us deploy once again to Afghanistan.

"But our home base will now be Gloucestershire and, with the help of the local community who have provided such a warm welcome, we will establish ourselves as stalwart supporters and an integral part of local society.

"We genuinely need the support of the local community, particularly when the headquarters is away next year.

"It is imperative to have the welfare support and facilities to look after our families during what will be a challenging time for everyone."

The ARRC Group's military personnel and their families, some 2,000 people, are drawn from 15 NATO nations, and many of them have come to live in the UK for the first time.

The beating retreat ceremony dates back several hundred years, and signifies the musical call to troops to return to barracks before nightfall.

Over the centuries the tradition has seen changes and variations resulting in the colourful band performance conducted by British Army formations every year.