“EMBLEMS OF PEACE.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 22

“EMBLEMS OF PEACE.”

THE REGIMENTAL COLOURS. PRESENTATION AND CONSECRATION. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREAIONY. There were days before the present halcyon days when the sight of a khakiclad host caused an inward shudder and induced in us a feeling of fear that we were seeing for the last time many of the fine fellows who wore the King’s uniform. The grim days of 1914-18 could easily have bred in the hearts of the people an abiding hatred of khaki, but with the passing of the war clouds our misgivings at the sight of uniformed men disappeared and to-day there are few among us who can repress altogether a feeling of patriotic exhilaration when we watch a battalion of well-trained men, march past. This was amply demonstrated at the Oval on Thursday when a large crowd of all ages assembled to witness one of the most impressive ceremonials in the army —the presentation and consecration of the colours. The occasion was the handing over of the beautifully worked colours, the gift of the Otago Women’s Club, to the Ist Battalion of the Otago Regiment. And those who were present were as greatly impressed by the 1024 men who passed in review as they were by the ceremony itself.., General Young (G.O.C. New Zealand Forces) was present, attended by Colonelcommandant Gardiner (officer in charge of the Southern Command) and Colonel J. Hargest (officer commanding the 3rd New Zealand Infantry Brigade). There was also a full attendance of staff officers attached to the Otago Regiment under Lieutenant-colonel H. E. Barrowclough, D. 5.0., M.C. The chaplains present were the Revs. E. N. Merrington and E Evans, who consecrated the colours. The Alayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, ALP.) and Mr E. Anderson (president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association) were associated with the official party. The only others in the official group were Alesdames Edmond and Alelville, the former of whom made the presentation of the colours.

THE REVIEW. The battalion arrived on the ground on" time, played to their posts by the regimental band, and as the large unit came out in front of the crowd in column of route one was reminded of other and not less efficient-looking troops that filled the streets in earlier days. The battalion made a splendid show, comprising as it did as fine a body of men as Otago can produce. General Young arrived at 3.5 p.m., and immediately took the salute from the assembled companies which were drawn up in review order at the conclusion of which a thousand glistening sabres and rifle barrels flashed in the sunlight as the troops shouldered arms for inspection. The march past was a stirring sight, as the general again took the salute with the battalion moving forward in column of companies, returning past the officers in close column of companies. A hollow square’ was then formed, and the stage was set for the ceremony.

THE COLOURS. The colours are the flags carried by the different regiments of his Majesty’s forces. Those of the infantry were originally called ensigns, a name still used in the Royal Navy. At one time' every company had its own colours, but now each' battalion has a pair of colours. The more important of the two is, of course, the Royal or King’s colour, which is of the same pattern for all regiments. The other flag is the regimental colour, which matches the facings of the unit. In the British army the pattern is more or less uniform, and, with slight variations, the colonial colours follow the original design, which embodies a central, wreath of roses, shamrocks, and thistles, with the name, crest, and motto of the regiment, and the campaigns in which the unit has served. In the top corner near the masthead the Union Jack is worked. All colours are made, of silk, 3ft 9in by 3ft, fringed with gold and with crimson and gold tassels. The whole is mounted on a staff Bft 7in in length. The colours are carried on parade by two juni ir second lieutenants, and are guarded by two sergeants and two men, who make up what is known as the “ colour party.” For many years now the colours have not been seen on the battlefields, as they make far too conspicuous a mark. The

last occasion on which they were taken into action was in the Boer War, at the defeat of Laing’s Nek, on January 28, 1881, when they were very nearly captured. At Isandula in 1879 the colours were nearly captured, and were only saved by’ an officer who dived into the Tugela River. He was drowned, but when his corpse was recovered the colours we v e found wrapped round him. The colours presented yesterday conformed to the official design in every respect. Within the central wreath was worked a gold kiwi, and the names of 11 battlefields were inscribed. The campaigns are as follows: —South Africa, 1901-02; Somme, 1916-18; Alessines, 1917; Ypres, 1917; Passchendaele, Bapaume, 1918; Cambriai, 1918; France and Flanders, 1916-18; Anzac, Gallipoli, 1915; and Egypt, 1916. These names, together with the kiwi inset, were worked by Mrs Alelville and other members of the arts and crafts section of the Otago Women’s Club. The work has been done by master hands, and the foundation work, which was carried out in the Old Country, is in keeping with the artistic beauty and taste of the locally-done section. The colours made a handsome show at the head of the battalion, as it marched past, and it must have been in some degree compensation for their work for the members of the Women’s Club to see the colours at the head of such a fine body' of men. The colours will be on view at the Women’s Club for the next week. THE CEREMONY.

Seven drummers entered the vast square and piled their drums in a tableau in the centre, and it was upon this altar that the beautifully-worked colours were laid for consecration. Chaplains Evans and Merrington conducted the ritual, and each engaged in prayer. At the conclusion of the consecration two junior lieutenants came forward and accepted the flags from the hands. of Mrs Edmond (acting-president of the Women’s Club). Mrs Edmond, in making the presentation, said she felt deeply honoured at being asked to hand over the colours on behalf of the Otago Women’s .Club. They had been worked with infinite care and skill by Mrs Melville and other members of the arts and crafts’ section, and the club was proud to be able to bring the regiment such a gift. She hoped they would never be called upon to go into the firing line, but she felt sure that, should the necessity arise, they would acquit themselves like men and uphold the traditions of the Olago regiment in the Great War. The colours were given by the club in peace and affection, and she would like them to look upon their colours as eternal emblems of peace. As . the two standard-bearers returned to the head of the battalion the band struck up “God Save the King,” and shortly afterwards tho general again took the §nlute as the men marched past in column of route with the colours.