REGIMENTAL COLOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 594, 21 February 1929, Page 16

REGIMENTAL COLOURS

NEW FLAGS COMING BATTLE HONOURS INSCRIBED New colours, King’s and regimental, for the Ist Battalion of the Auckland Regiment, are expected to arrive in Auckland in time for consecration and presentation on Anzac Day. The new flags will be used in place of those dedicated by the late Bishop Cowie 30 years ago. These are now somewhat tattered and perished, and are not safe to unfold in the open. The new colours will bear the dates and places of the regiment’s service from the South African War up to the end of the World War. The consecration and the presentation of new colours is one of the most impressive pageants in army ceremonial. The battalion is drawn up in line with fixed bayonets. The band and drums troop in slow time from the right to the left of the line, and return in quick time. The old colours then make their last appearance. Preceded by the band and drums, they are trooped along the line and then marched to the rear to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne.” With the battalion forming three sides of a square, the new colours are brought forward and placed on piled drums for the consecration ceremony, part of the prayer being that “they may never be unfurled save in the cause of justice and righteousness. After the colours have been presented tho battalion re-forms in line, gives the colours the general salute, marches past in column, and, once again in line, advances in review order.