When the nation celebrated the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, the British Army joined in with warm enthusiasm.
The close links between Monarch and military were a recurring theme of the year-long celebration, with set-piece events all over the country involving Servicemen and women.

From lining the streets of London to full-scale parades in her honour, the Army threw itself into the pomp and pageantry.

An impressively choreographed salute to the Queen was staged in Germany, where nearly 600 gleaming armoured vehicles and thousands of troops formed up at Sennelager to pay their tribute. As military helicopters buzzed overhead, Chieftain main battle tanks rumbled past the guest of honour. When they drew level with the Monarch their great guns swung menacingly towards her before dipping in salute.

A protracted strike by firemen the following year drew all three Services in to fill the void. Aged Green Goddesses were wheeled out, brushed down and rushed into service with hastily-trained crews of military personnel.