An artillery parade is always handed Over “at ease”. This applies at all levels of Command up to and including the Commander of an artillery formation. However, artillery sub-units, units and Formations will receive and inspecting Officer at “attention”. This practice dates from the period Before recoil mechanisms when guns had Tp be run back by hand into firing Position. After hours of sponging, Loading, firing and running the guns Back into battery, the gunners were Exhausted. Commanders extending their Congratulations to gunners for their Contribution to victory granted them the Priviledge of receiving these accolades “at ease” rather than “attention”.