MILITARY DISPLAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18873, 17 February 1933, Page 6

MILITARY DISPLAY.

“TROOPING THE COLOUR.”

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL.

WAIKATO’S GOOD SHOWING. Military pageantry of a standard rarely ' seen in Hamilton attracted hundreds \of people to the High School grounds yesterday afternoon when the picturesque and historical ceremony of “Trooping the Colour” was performed by the- Ist Battalion, Waikato Regiment. For such an event it would be difflcult to equal the ideal- setting of smooth .greensward and beautiful trees, while the weather was all that could be desired. Crowds of children from the secondary schools and some of the primary schools assembled-in the natural amphitheatre formed by the grounds. It‘is over 20 years since the impressive ritual of “Trooping the Colour” has been undertaken by the. Waikatos and it says much for the diligence and enthusiasm of the present officers and men that they should evince such keen interest at a time when military activities are severely criticised in the cause of economy. ■ High Standard Evinced. In view of the fact that the battalion to-day is entirely a voluntary force and that but four days have been spent in training, the ceremony was excellently executed, not a hitch being ob- . servable in the entire ' .proceedings,'-y which lasted 50 minutes. Sharply at 3 p.m. the troops arrived -on the field led by the Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal Band. Throughout the various intricate evolutions the band, under the leadership of Lieutenant A. E. Savage, showed splendid control and evoked laudatory comments on all sides.

Remarkable steadiness was evidenced by the three companies of troops in the slow marching, their fine bearing reaching a standard which was very favourably commented .upon by Colonel J; E. Duigan, offlcer-in-charge of the Northern Command, who made an inspection, accompanied by the Mayor, Dr. F. D. Pinfold. After it had received the colour the escort marched to the remaining guards and trooped the colour between the ranks. The orders were given by the adjutant, Captain E. Petrie, and later by the officer commanding, Lieutenant-Colonel R. D. McFarland.

One of the most striking spectacles of the afternoon was the march-past in review' order, Colonel Duigan taking the salute. As a tribute to the flag the entire assembly stood, and when the battalion, with h?ads held high and firm tread, had passed by spontaneous applause came from the onlookers. Three hearty cheers, called by the Mayor, met with a warm response. Twice the troops marched by, in slow and quick time, before leaving the grounds .and proceeding down Ward and Victoria Streets. Interest In Vlotorla Street.

Apart from the Anzao Day observance it is many years since men in khaki have been seen marching down Hamilton’s main street and the spectacle occasioned no little interest. Aroused by the stirring music of the band, business men, office workers and shop assistants packed into windows and doorways and -one was inevitably carried back to the momentous days of 1914-1918. Love of rhythm and pageantry was fully gratified by the mobile efficiency of the Waikatos at yesterday’s function.

BTEEPED IN HISTORY. OF UNCERTAIN ORIGIN. The respect or honour paid to the ensign or “colours" dates from the time when Roman legions fought round and under their straw-crowned poles. Julius Ceasar records, In his account of the battle with the Nervi! In B.C. 57, that his men were trained, when separated from ' their company standard, to rally round the first colours they could find, and not lose time seeking for their own. Mitts of Antiquity. The origin of this quaint and magnificent ceremony is uncertain and remains obscure in the mists of antiquity. It is mentioned in military history 130 years ago, and seems, at that time, to have been of much more frequent occurence than at present. It begins with the drums beating the “Assembly” and marching across tlie parade. The company officers and senior N.C.O’s. having formed .up in front of their companies, then march, v in slow time, straight across the -4 ground in line to their companies and to the time of a slow march. In this connection it is curious to recall that in the days of the early Georges “trooping the colour” was frequently ordered to take place in the early mornings, as a test of the sobriety of the officers the night before. This was so because, unless a 'man was steady oh his feet the effect of the slow march of the officers right across the ground to their respective companies would be disastrous. At this point the “colours” are taken by an escort, which marches and countermarches with them in and out of the lines, the troops standing at the “present” as a salute to the “colours.” The ceremony is rendered the more remarkable at this stage by reason of'it being the only occasion when the sergeant-major draws his sword and salutes with it in the same manner as does a commissioned officer. The old colours, after being “trooped,” are marched off by escort while the band plays "Auld Lang Syne.” These old colours conjure up many memories. Their life is generally about 25 years; hut so many memories and associations cluster round the stained and torn silk rags that they are sometimes kept much longer. A moth-eaten rag on a worm-eaten pole, It does not look likely to stir a man’s soul; ’Tis the deeds that were done ’neath tlie worm-eaten rag When the pole was a staff, and the rag a flag.