Pace-Sticking

The Royal Regiment of Artillery claim to be the originator of the pace-stick. It was used by it's field gun teams to ensure correct distances between the guns. This pace stick was more like a walking stick, with a silver or ivory knob. It cannot be manipulated like we know today as it opened like a pair of calipers. From the beginning the infantry developed the pace stick as an aid to drill. In 1928, the late Arthur Brand MVO MBE developed a drill for pace-sticks. The stick that he used is still kept in the Warrant Officers and Sergeants mess at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

In 1952 the Academy Sergeant Major (the late John Lord MVO MBE) started a 'pace-sticking competition'. This competition was held annually between Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Guards Depot. It was originally four Sergeants in the team and a Warrant Officer as the team captain who acted as the driver and gave the words of command over the course which involved marching in slow and quick time whilst alternating turning the stick with the left or right hand. The teams are now modified to a frontage of three Sergeants but the driver still remains a Warrant Officer. Since the closing of the Guards Depot in April 1993 the annual competition has demised, however the All Arms (World Championships) pace sticking competition still carries on and is held annually at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Teams from all over the world compete in different categories for the title of World Champion Pace-Sticking team or the prestigious individual World Pace-Stick Champion.