THE thunder of artillery rang out across the city of York today, November 14, to mark the 66th birthday of the Prince of Wales.
The 21-gun Royal Salute also marked the retirement of the military officer from the city responsible for the organisation of the event.
Major Chad Fowler, 64, who has organised 50 Royal Salutes in the city as well as a host of other ceremonial events, was the inspecting officer when the artillery fired on the stroke of noon.
He was escorted by Brigadier Greville Bibby, the Commander 15 (North East) Brigade, as he inspected the saluting troop of 4 Regiment Royal Artillery normally based at Topcliffe, near Thirsk.
The salute was delivered by three 105 mm light guns fired at 15-second intervals, starting at the stroke of noon.
Major Fowler is retiring as the Second-in-Command at York Garrison and has served 45 years in the Army starting his career at the city’s Imphal Barracks in 1969.
He has seen service in Northern Ireland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Malta, Portugal, the US, Canada and Belize, He and his wife Deborah now live in Sutton-on-Derwent.
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