By Julian Whittle

Last updated 12:50, Monday, 12 May 2008

CARLISLE Castle reverberated to the sound of gunshot and mortar fire as soldiers of the Territorial Army staged a mock battle.

• Slideshow: pictures of the anniversary event

In unison: The sunset ceremony on Saturday

The demonstration was the dramatic centre piece of a military pageant to mark the Territorials’ centenary.

Around 1,000 spectators, including VIP guests, saw the beating retreat ceremony on Saturday performed by the bands of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and Fusiliers’ Association.

Then Territorial Army soldiers of the 4th battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s displayed their combat skills.

Infantry on patrol came under simulated sniper attack, returned fire and overpowered and captured their enemy.

Members of the Victory in Europe Re-enactment Society paraded in uniforms worn by TA soldiers going back to World War One.

Then the bands returned for a sunset ceremony to include the last post and, in a nod to the regiment’s Cumbrian roots, D’ye ken John Peel?

The county’s Lord Lieutenant, James Cropper, gave a short address praising the contribution of the Territorials.

He said: “We remember the amazing sacrifices made in both world wars.

“In every village there is a memorial with Territorial Army members on it.

“The Territorial Army today is the proud inheritor of those traditions. Soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s are now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Those young men and women have achieved so much as volunteers.”

The display enthralled onlookers on a warm summer’s evening.

They included Keith McVennon, 60, of Seaton, near Workington. He said: “I’m here because my dad was in the Border Regiment during World War Two.

“I like the military music and the marching bands. It’s a great spectacle.”

Betty Savage, 70, of Kells, Whitehaven, was there to see her son-in-law, Martin Crosby, who has served as a Territorial for 28 years.

She said: “I’ve not seen anything like it before. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The pageant formed part of the annual regimental weekend in Carlisle.

This began with the Border Regiment annual reunion on Friday night at the Shepherd’s Inn, Rosehill.

Saturday’s pageant, one of a series of events across the country to mark the Territorials’ centenary, was followed by the King’s Own Border supper dance, also at the Shepherd’s Inn.

Then yesterday troops of the 4th battalion, cadets, the Duke of Lancaster’s band and veterans with colours and standards marched to Carlisle Cathedral for a service.

They returned to the castle afterwards where the deputy colonel of the Duke of Lancaster’s, Brigadier Mike Griffiths, took the salute.

The 4th battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s is made up of Territorial Army members, part-time soldiers who hold full-time civilian jobs.

It was formed in July 2006 incorporating the Lancastrian and Cumbrian volunteers of the former King’s Own Royal Border Regiment.

Within Cumbria there is a unit in Workington and detachments at Carlisle Castle and Barrow.

JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk