Why Colours are not now carried on Active Service.--The last time Regimental Colours were carried in action was on the 26th of January, 1881, at Laings Nek. They were carried by the old 58th Regiment, now the 2nd Bn. The Northamptonshire Regiment. Colour-bearers were always a target for the enemys marksmen, and on this occasion the officer carrying a Colour was mortally wounded. Lieutenant Hill Walker remained behind to bring him in, and was awarded the V.C. for his gallant conduct; he is now the senior holder of the V.C. The question of the continuance of carrying Colours had been raised in Parliament in August, 1880, and all commanding officers were, in February, 1881, asked for their views upon it. The consensus of opinion favoured the retention of Colours for use in time of peace, but that they should not be taken on active service.An Order was consequently issued in January, 1882, giving effect to these views on the grounds of the altered form of attack and of the increased range of firing. - Major T.J. Edwards, M.B.E., F.R.Hist.S., Some Military Customs and Survivals, The Army Quarterly, Volume XXXIX, October 1939 and January 1940
Posted on: Sat, 01 Mar 2014 21:10:00 +0000
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