GUIDON PRESENTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 112, 13 April 1936, Page 2

GUIDON PRESENTED

CEREMONIAL AT BLENHEIM.’ COLOURFUL SCENES. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, April 12. The new regimental colour or guidon of the Nelson and Marlborough Mounted Rifles was the centre of an impressive military ceremonial a.t the annual camp of the regiment at Woodbourne Estate, near Blenheim, this afternoon, when it was consecrated and presented to the accompaniment of traditional forms and pageantry, symbolising the galla.nt traditions and battle honours of the regiment, which was first formed as the Maarlborough Hussars in 1885. The new colour constitutes a memorial to members of the unit who died on active service in the South African and Great Wars. It was made in England at a cost of £l2O. The guidon,, a bea-utifully embroidered example of heraldic art. replaces the old colour received by the regiment at the time of the South African War. In glorious weather a.nd in the-pre-sence of a large crowd the guidon was consecrated by the Bishop of Nelson, Rt. Rev. W. G. Hilliard. and was then presented by the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Galway, who made a special trip to Blenheim by aeroplane to perform the ceremony. Addressing the troops.. Lord Galway declared that those who were preparing themselves by military training against the time when they might he required were rending a valuable Empire sendee. Some said the day of cavalry was over, but he entirely agreed that the cavalry spirit of alertness, efficiency, and ability to seize opportunities would be needed as the weapons of modern warfare developed. The regiment, which is composed principally of Marlborough men, is giving a lead to other mounted units in acquiring new colours, as it is understood that the Canterbury Yeomanrv Cavalry and Otago Mounted Rifles will receive new guidons next year.