SOLEMN PARADE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20743, 1 March 1939, Page 9

SOLEMN PARADE

WAIKATO REGIMENT HANDING OVER OLD COLOURS TO HANG IN CATHEDRAL CHURCH Members of the Waikato Regiment, including contingents from Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Raglan, will march through Hamilton in solemn parade on Sunday next to the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, there to hand over into the safe-keeping of the ecclesiastical authorities the original colours of the regiment, presented at Hautapu in May, 1014, by the then Governor-General, Earl Liverpool. Outward and visible emblems of the most hallowed traditions of the regiment, the colours are two in number, one, the King's Colour, being a Union .Jack bearing in the centre of the St. George’s Cross the regimental badge surmounted by the Imperial Crown. This is the visible sign of the regiment's allegiance to the Crown. The other colour is known as the Regimental Colour and is of especial significance to all ranks since in it the particular history of the unit is enshrined. In the centre is the regimental badge and crown, below it the regimental motto, in the case of the Waikato Regiment, the indomitable challenge of Rewi Maniopoto at Orakau. “Ka whawhai tonu, ake, ake!”—“We tight on for ever and ever!” which has rung like a bugle-blast through New Zealand's history and which inspired officers and men of the Waikato Regiment in the heat of Anzac and the mud of Passchendacle. Serried Battle-honours Around the regimental badge and motto are inscribed the battle-honours of the regiment. Here in the case of the Waikato Regiment there is room for but 10 of those conferred for service in the Great War—Flers-Cource-lette, Arras, 1918, Bapaume, 1918, Canal du Nord, Cambre, Messines, 1917, Broodseinde, Krithia, Landing at Anzac and Sari Bair. Other honours conferred, but which do not appear on the Colours are— Somme, 1916, 1918; Morval, Le Transloy, Passchendaele, Ancre, 1918; Albert, 1918; Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt, Cambrai, 1918; Selle, Ypres, 1917; Polygon Wood, France and Flanders, 1916-18; Ilelles, Anzac, Defence of Anzac, Suvla, Gallipoli, 1915; Suez Canal and Egypt, 1915-16. The Colours which are to be handed over on Sunday were replaced by new Colours, presented to the Regiment on May 24, 1936, by the Governor-Gen-eral, Viscount Galway, at an impressive ceremony in the Hamilton High School grounds, yet while this weekend’s ceremony may not be marked with the same brilliance as characterised the presentation of the new Colf)UF«, the passing of the old emblems ■roiji tbr care of the Regiment to that of the Church will be an event of equally deep historical significance, and the accompanying ceremonial of even greater solemnity. Dignitaries Attending Country detachments of the ’Regiment taking part in the parade will arrive in Hamilton by train and all ranks participating will rendezvous at the drill-hall at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday for a rehearsal of the parade and service. The motor-cycle platoon will take part and it is hoped that the 2nd Medium Battery will also parade. The visiting detachments will be bivouacked at the drill-hall overnight. A representative gathering of civic and military dignitaries is expected to attend the ceremony at St. Peter's and those invited include the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, and the borough councillors; Mr C. A. Barrell, M. Lt.-Col. N. W. McD. Weir, N. O.C. Northern Command; Lt.-Col. L. Potter, N.Z.S.C.; Lt.-Col. R. V. Closey, Lt Col. C. White, D.C. Ist Balt., Composite Regiment; Lt.-Col. C. J. Pierce, O.C. Mounted Rifles, and representatives of the Ist Auckland, the 4 Hauraki and North Auckland Regiments. The parade, which will enter the Cathedral at 11 am., will he under the command of Major A. E. Gibbons, who will hand over the King’s Colour, while the Regimental Colour will be handed over by Major E. M. Mackersey. The Colours will be received in that order by the Dean of Hamilton, the Very Rev. T. P. Weatherhog. “Until Required” As laid down in King's Regulations, the Colours are handed over to the officiating clergyman with the words, "Sir, we commit these Colours to your care until required,” and when they are received they will be hung semifurled in the Cathedral. In the case of the Waikato Colours, thev will be lodged in the Cathedral, the* Church to which the majority of the Regiment belong. In the event, however, of the building in Hamilton of a Hall of Memories, such as that at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the emblems would be transferred lo that building. In future, the new Colours will be housed in the Hamilton Public. Library, In a special glass-case, where they may be seen by all members of the public. ____________