Patrick Outerbridge gave up command of the Regiment, saying it had been a privilege to serve his Country.

Lt. Col. Outerbridge turned over command of the Regiment to Lt. Col. David Gibbons at a ceremony at Warwick Camp on Saturday attended by dozens of guests who saw some 80 Regiment soldiers and the Band parade.

He marched the soldiers and Bandsmen -- representing the 700 plus-man regiment -- onto the square for the ceremony and remained standing with them until he gave the Sword of Command back to Governor Thorold Masefield, who then passed it onto Lt. Col. Gibbons.

During his brief comments, he said that when he was conscripted in 1978, he planned to serve the required three years, four months and then leave.

"It has been a privilege to witness all the hard work you've done for me,'' he told the soldiers on parade. "And it has been an honour and a privilege to serve my country for the past 22 years.'' Lt. Col. Gibbons thanked Lt. Col. Outerbridge for his work with the Regiment.

"I thank you for passing over a strong, cohesive Regiment, prepared to face any challenge that comes our way. I promise, I will continue to build that fine reputation.'' The Governor told the audience: "This is one of those occasions filled with sentiment and glory.

"Col. Outerbridge's command has been one of tradition and professionalism. As the last Commanding Officer of the 20th Century, the first of the 21st his command has seen change, innovation and modernisation.'' Guests at the ceremony included British embassy defence attaches Air Vice-Marshall John H. Thompson and Colonel Tim Weeks stationed in Washington D.C.

Within moments of the ceremony's end, the skies opened up and rain chased dozens of guests and officers into flimsy orange shelters.

True to the moment, the Bermuda Regiment Band received a rousing round of applause from the crowd when they marched past the shelter playing Bob Marley's song Jammin'.