The last bugle was sounded on an annual military pageant last week as Britain's armed forces find growing commitments in hotspots such as the Balkans leave them little time to entertain the public.
For the last 120 years, the main public showcase for the armed forces' skills has been provided by an annual spectacular known as the Royal Tournament which featured marching bands and demonstrations of military traditions.
Each year thousands of school parties would troop along to the Earls Court arena in west London to witness mock battles and competitions designed to display the strength and stamina of those in uniform.
The event, spread over two weeks, attracted about 200,000 spectators each year and was used to help raise funds for service charities and hopefully inspire youngsters to aspire to a career in the army, navy or air force.
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) took part in the spectacular in 1996 as a tribute to their contribution to the British military, and over the years dozens of other friendly nations have lent troops to participate.
But recent displays have left spectators criticising the spectacle for being outdated and dull, with demonstrations of mounted military bands and gymnasts forming human pyramids balanced on motorcycles having little relevance to the modern military.
