"TO YOUR KEEPING"

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 51, 4 March 1929, Page 6

"TO YOUR KEEPING"

REGIMENT'S COLOURS

PRESENTED BY MAYORESS

"TROOPING" CEREMONY

It is upon rare occasions only that the citizens of Wellington have an opportunity of witnessing that most picturesque of all militaryt coremonios, the trooping of tho colours, but such an opportunity was afforded yesterday aftornoon, when tho Ist Battalion, Wellington Eegiment, received its new colours in placo of those that were presented 42 years ago. Thoro was a large attendance of the public, and by the timo tho ceremony commenced it was estimated that the Basin Eoserve held spme 6000 spectators. Tho weather was line, and tho men of the battalion, who had just completed a week's training at Trentham, acquitted thcmsolves with credit in carrying out the many difficult and intricate manoeuvres which go to form tho ceremony. After the march past, the battalion was' complimented upon its performance by 'Major-General B. Young, General Officor Commanding tho New Zealand Military Forces, who spoko in terms of the highest praise. The evolutions of the battalion were responsible ,for frequent outbursts of applause, and at tho march past members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who were present in a bpdy, gave three rousing cheers for the Regiment. Tho battalion's effort is all the more praiseworthy as it is only in the last -'few days that the men , have had 'an opportunity of familiarising themselves with tho ceremony. ■ AN HISTORICAL RECORD. In spite of the fact that a regiment's colours do not now play tho spectacular part in warfare that they did many years ago, lfthe "colours" are still the soul of a regiment. Not ■ only sentiment, but history attaches to them. It is because of them that men perform 'deeds of bravery and aro sustained in courage, and though ,tp-day the bearing ■of colours :in action id no longer permitted in tho British Army, the traditions surrounding them remain. For that reason there waa more, significance about yesterday's presentation of Colours thai! the mere handing over of two standards.. Since the old Colours were presented in 1887, the Regiment has helped to make history. Emblazoned upon the Regimental Colour are the records of the Regiment in the South Africa War,. 1901^02/ and then follow the actions of the Great War,Ju which the Regiment fought: Somme, 1916-18; Polygon Wood, F!ers-Courcelette, Bapaume, 1918, Messines 1917, Hindenburg Line, Ypres, 1917; Sambre-Le-Quesnoy, Egypt, 1915-1G; France and Flanders, 1916.-18. , .

Yesterday's ceremony commenced with the'trooping of the Old Colours, which were marched round, at slow march, accompanied by the Right Guard as escort, and by the band. The trooping completed, the battalion formed three sides of a hollow square. The New Colours were brought up, and tile two senior subalterns of-the battalion advanced. A pile of drums was made in the ceiftre of the parade ground, and tho second officer in command of-the battalion and tho next Senior major uncased the colours, which were plauud' on the drums. The Colours were then 'consecrated by the Right, Rev. the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott). . . THE ACTUAL CONSECRATION.; ■ The form :of prayer used was'as follows:— . , ' ' v "Dearly beloved in tho Lord, forasmuch as men at all times have made for themselves signs and emblems of their allegiance to their rulers, and of their duty to uphold those laws and institutions which God's providence has called them to obey; we, following this natural and pious custom, and rcniem'bering that God Himself led His people Israol by a pillar of fire by night, and a -pillar of cloud by day, are met together before God to ask His blessing on these .colours?, which are to represent to us our duty towards our Sovereign and our country.. Let us, therefore/pray Almighty God of His mercy to grant that they may never bo unfurled save in the cause of justice and righteousness; and that He may make them to be to thoso who follow them a sign of His presence with them in all dangers and distresses, and may increase their faith and hope in Him who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

"Our help is in tho Namo Of the Lord,

"Who liath mude hoaven and earth "The Lord be with you. . "And with .thy spirit.

"Our Father, which aro in Heaven, | hallowed be Thy namo. Thy. kingdom come. Thy will bo done, in earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgivb us our trespasses, as we forgivq them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the 'kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and over,— '- Amen. .-.■'. , '.:: ' i;' , "Almighty and overlustjng God, we are taught by Thy Holy Word that the hearts of kings are in Thy rule and governance) and that Thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to Thy godly wisdom: We humbly boseech Thee so to dispose and govern the heart of George, Thy servant, our King and Governor, that, in all histhoughts, words, and works, ho may ever seek Thy honour and glory, and study to preserve Thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness: Grant this, O' merciful Father, for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ, our Lord. —Amen. "O God, the protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; incroase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that Thou Heing our Euler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, Q Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our Lord.—Amen.?' The Bishop then laid his hands upon the colours and said:— "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do dedicate and set apart these colours, that they may be a sign of our duty towards our King and country in tho sight of God. —Amen." "O Lord, who rulest over all things, accept, we beseech Thee, our service this day. Bless what wo have blessed in Thy name. Lot Thy gracious fuvour rest on those who shall follow tho colours now committed to their trust. Give them courage; and may their courage ever rest on their sure confidence in Thee. May they show 'self-control in the hour of success, patienco in the time of adversity; and may their honour lie in seeking the honour and gloryi Of T&y great name. May they walk worthily of the vocation to which they are called, in dependence on Thy bloss' od will, and mindful that without Thee they can do nothing. .Guide the counsels of those who shall lead them, and sustain them by help in the time of need. Grant they may all so faithfully 'serve Thee in this life, that they fftil not finally to obtain an entrance into Thy heavenly, kingdom, through the morits of Thy Blcssod Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.—Amen." "The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, tho Son, and tho Holy Gliost, be amongst you and remain with you always.—Amen." The senior major then handed the King's Colour to tiie Mayoress (Mrs. G. A. Troup), and the senior

subaltern, bending on his right knee, received the Colour from her hands. The next senior major handqd the Regimental Colour to Mrs. Troup, who in turn presented it to tho next senior subaltern. j ADDRESS BY MAYORESS. ! Mrs. Troup addressed the battalion. | She said:— ■'■■.' I "LieuteAnt-Colouel Evatt, officers.j non-comnris'iioned 'jfficers, t and mor | Of tho First Wellington Begiinent,— "As Mayoress of the Capital City, I am this day greatly honoured in acting as the representative of tho women of the area from which your Unit is recruited, who, through me, desire you to accept this gift of a stand of colours. "It is of interest to recall that 42 years ago hero on these same grounds, and on the day on: which the people of; tho Empire loyally and joyously celebrated the first jubilee of the beloved Queen Victoria, tho colours which are now with all honour and respect to be replaced, were by a former Mayoress, Mrs. S. Brown, who is present to-day, handed over to your predecessors as a gift from tho l women of the city and district. We are proud to know that Hie high hopes then expressed that the honourable reputation of the regiment would be maintained have been fully realised, for upon the regimental flag •*o now see emblazoned dn array of iiattle honours bravely gained in the South African campaign ■ and in the great European War, and these clearly indicate that, the regiment has' on the fleld proved itself worthy in the service of Sovereign and country. " Although it is now fifty years since' a termination was made of the age-long custom of carrying colours'into-battle to serve as distinguishing emblems and to form rallying, points when danger was most imminent, yet the mighty influence of-their- symbolism remains. They are still, an undying source of inspiration, ,for during the course of your continual preparation for service on the Held, tho King's colour reminds you of duty to tho Empire through 1 its highest representative, and- tho regi- ■ mental flag serves as a tangible sign of that regimentat.spirit which acts eyen more powerfully than the mere old-time loyalty to a personal leader in battle; in stirriDg in the hearts of men of all ranks a great and lasting determination that 'in all things the regiment will give of its best. • . "It.is our earnest prayer, that tho regiment may never again be called upon for duty under fire, but we entertain no doubt that if such'a call should come, there will be the same readiness of response, the same devotion in all forms of service, and the same gallantry in action that have distinguished the unit in the past. Animated by such hopes, we pass these colours to your keeping, and with them the assurance that the active support of the women of the district, is ever at your

call."''"''-V'/ ":'■?.■ • ' ■'' ■" ' -' Lioutcriant-Colonel Evatt's reply was as follows:- —\ ,-••■; '' Mrs. Troup,—Ah commanding officer of the battalion, I thank you most sincerely for tlio magnificent set of coloursjyou have, on behalf of- the ladies of Wellington, presented us with today. I also thank you most sincerely for the fitting,reference you made to the colours. In accepting them on behalf of the battalion, I can assure you that they will be always honoured and cherished by :us..!'; I thank you."' . „ ' THE MARCH PAST. v Tlio battalion then re-formed line^ and tho colours were advanced at slo-.v inarch while "God Save the King" was played by the band. The,colours, wore also saluted with the "General Salute." ' The battalion then marched past the saluting point where Major-General Young, Brigadier W. L. H. Sinclair-Bur-, gess (Chief of the General Staff), and Brigadier J.H.^Whyte (commanding the Central Command) were stationed, Major-General Young taking the salute. After forming!up in. line again the battalion advanced in, review order, after which the'parade concluded., The battalion, with the new colours flying, marched back to the battalion headquarters, Buckle street, via Vivian and Cuba «treets, the old colours being encased. At Buckle street Lieut.Oolonel Evatt addressed the men, and oxpresaed his appreciation at the manner 1 in which they had Carried out their 'iuties. Tho men were then dismissed.

Among the officers on parade were Lieut.-Colonol B. B. Smythe (AdjutantCJeneral) and Major N. W. MD. Weir (Staff Officer in charge of the district). 'Bishop Sprott was assisted by the Rovi R. J. Howie and the Eevv H. K. £.-(Fryv"U!':-,-:': ' \ The officers'present-with tho battalion on parade were:—Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel E. L. Evatt, V.D.; second -in command, Major F. E. Greenish, M.C., V.D.; Major D. C. Armstrong, M.G.; No. 1 guard, Captain A. C. W. Harding, Lieut. F. D. Hamilton, Lieut. H. Williams; No. 2 guard, Captain L. M'Alister, M.C.; Lieut. C. D..A. George, Lieut. A. E. Gorton, M.M.; No. 3 guard, Major E. F. J. Eeeves, M.C.; Lieut.'J. H. Torlesse, Lieut. M. Grant;, No. ,4 guard, Captain F. E. Dornwoll, Lieut. T. Love/Lieut. E. Wells;,adjutant, Captain A. le G. Campbell, 2nd Highland t/ight Infantry (attached).