A Territorial Army brigade was barred from taking part in the main Colchester Remembrance Day ceremony.
While the Army said it was to ensure there was room for veterans to attend, members of 45 Essex Signal Squadron say they were told it could not participate because its drill and dress were not up to standard.
The squadron, which normally parades to Colchester War Memorial, has taken issue with the Army's official explanation and claimed its exclusion from the event was "disgraceful".
Captain Rod Allen, permanent staff administrative officer with 45 Squadron, said the squadron spent some time trying to find out what was going on.
It was eventually told it would not be taking part in the town's main act of remembrance a couple of days before the event.
Capt Allen said instructions from Garrison Commander Col Tony Barton were that 45 Squadron could not take part because its drill was not up to scratch last year and it did not have service dress.
He dismissed the Army explanation about there being enough space for veterans as "rubbish".
In the end, the TA made its own arrangements and about 40 members paraded in Layer de la Haye.
An Army spokesman said: "We know that 45 Squadron were disappointed they couldn't parade but efforts needed to be made to make sure there was space for all the veterans to attend.
"It was the 60th anniversary. The day was about paying respects and the 45 Squadron did pay their respects at Layer."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, November 15, 2005
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