A HISTORY OF MILITARY COLOURS
In the period 1633-1680, the first five infantry regiments, as we know
them to-day, were established, and this may be taken as a convenient
point from which to begin a study of the standards and colours of our
Army. Before this time the military forces of England and Scotland went
into battle with a full array of waving emblems, decorated with rampant
lions, powdered leopards, spread eagles, and other gaudily-painted
devices, but these were usually the symbols of the knights and patrons
who raised the forces. Such flags possessed much heraldic or
archæological interest, but few claims on the student of military lore,
and may be thus set aside with the reminder that, if knowledge of them
is required, it may be gained from such sources as the roll of
Karlaverok.
The first real military flags of which we have definite records were
those used in the Civil Wars. The cavalry possessed standards revealing
all manner of decorative symbols with mottoes telling of their leader’s
faith in God, their hatred for the enemy, and the trust which they
placed in Providence. The infantry forces bore colours devised with more
regularity of purpose. Each colonel flew a plain white, red or other
coloured flag; lieutenant-colonels were known by a flag bearing a small
St. George’s Cross in the upper left-hand canton; whilst other officers
possessed flags similar to those of the lieutenant-colonels but bearing
one, two, three, or more additional devices, according to rank, such
devices being lozenges, pile-wavys (i.e., tongues of flame), talbots,
etc., usually placed close up to the head of the staff.
At this period Scottish forces favoured flags bearing a large St.
Andrew’s Cross, in the upper triangle of which a Roman numeral was
placed to denote the owner’s rank.
In 1661, under the date of February 13th, what was probably the first
royal warrant to control regimental colours, was issued by the Earl of
Sandwich, Master of the Great Wardrobe. It ran:
“Our Will and pleasure is, and we do hereby require you forthwith to
cause to be made and provided, twelve colours or ensigns for our
=Regiment of Foot Guards=, of white and red taffeta, of the usual
largeness, with stands, heads, and tassels, each of which to have
such distinctions of some of our Royal Badges, painted in oil, as
our trusty and well-beloved servant, Sir Edward Walker, Knight,
Garter Principal King-at-Arms, shall direct.”
This warrant is of much interest; it tells us that the early standards
were painted and not embroidered; that they were made of white or red
material—white was a sign of superiority, whilst red pointed to
extravagance, as it was more costly than blue, yellow, etc.; and it told
us that the Guards were to display the Royal badges, which they do to
this day. (All these badges are dealt with in a separate chapter.)
In later years, the small St. George’s Cross which, as we said above,
figured in the upper corner of the flag, gained more prominence and
filled the whole of the fabric. This may be considered the second period
in the history of regimental colours. The reader will readily see that
this change in English flags was brought about by contact with the
Scottish regiments which had flown for many years previously their
colours bearing large crosses of St. Andrew.
An interesting flag of this period is that of the =Coldstream Regiment=
(date about 1680). A drawing of it may be seen in the Royal Library at
Windsor Castle. The groundwork of blue taffeta is quite plain for the
colonel. The lieutenant-colonel’s banner is blue, with a large St.
George’s Cross, edged with white; whilst the major flew a similar
banner, to which was added a white pile-wavy issuing from the top
left-hand corner. The captains’ banners are like that of the major, but
bear a distinguishing Roman numeral to show seniority of rank.
* * * * *
In piecing together the history of the early Army flags, a certain
Nathan Brooks has given us much valuable assistance. He went to Putney
Heath on October 1st, 1684, to see the King review the troops, and was
wise enough to write down a description of the colours which figured in
the function. Probably no better account of the flags of this period is
still available. Here it is:—[1]
“=The King’s Own Troop of Horse Guards and Troop of Grenadiers.=—The
standard, crimson with the royal cypher and crown; the guidon,
differenced only from the standard by being rounded and slit at the
ends.
“=The Queen’s Troop of His Majesty’s Horse Guards and Troop of
Grenadiers.=—The standard and guidon as the King’s.
“=The Duke’s Troop of His Majesty’s Horse Guards and Troop of
Grenadiers.=—The standard and guidon of yellow damask, with His
Royal Highness’s cypher and coronet.
“=The Regiment of the Horse Guards= (now the Royal Horse Guards, the
Blues), eight troops.—The standard of the King’s troop, crimson,
with the imperial crown, embroidered; the colonel’s colour flies the
royal cypher on crimson; the major’s, gold streams on crimson; the
first troop, the rose crowned; the second, a thistle crowned; the
third, the flower de luce, crowned; the fourth, the harp and crown;
the fifth, the royal oak; all embroidered upon the crimson colours.
“=The King’s Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons=, commanded by John,
Lord Churchill.—The colours to each troop thus distinguished: the
colonel’s, the royal cypher and crown embroidered upon crimson; the
lieutenant-colonel’s, the rays of the sun, proper, crowned, issuing
out of a cloud, proper, and is a badge of the Black Prince’s. The
first troop has, for colours, the top of a beacon, crowned or, with
flames of fire proper, and is a badge of Henry V. The second troop,
two ostrich’s feathers crowned argent, a badge of Henry VI. The
third, a rose and pomegranate impaled, leaves and stalk vert, a
badge of Henry VIII. Fourth troop, a phœnix in flames, proper, a
badge of Queen Elizabeth; each embroidered upon crimson.
“=First Regiment of Foot Guards= (of twenty-four companies).—The
King’s company, standard all crimson, cypher and crown embroidered
in gold; the colonel’s white with the red cross (St. George’s), the
crown or: the lieutenant-colonel’s, the same cross, with C.R.
crowned or: the major’s, C.R. and crown, with a blaze crimson (i.e.,
a flame issuing from the top left-hand corner of the flag); the
first company, with the King’s crest, which is a lion passant
guardant crowned or, standing on a crown. (Brooks then gives the
remaining company badges which are set out in full later.)
“=Colestream or Cauldstream Regiment of Foot Guards.=—This regiment
flyes the St. George’s Cross, bordered with white in a blew field
(cf. above).
“=The Royal Regiment of Foot=, commanded by the Earl of Dumbarton,
flyes a St. Andrew’s Cross, with a thistle and crown circumscribed
in the centre, ‘Nemo me impune lacessit.’
“=The Queen’s Regiment of Foot=, commanded by the Hon. Piercy Kirk,
flyes a red cross bordered with white and rays as the admirals (see
below), in a green field, with Her Majesty’s royal cypher in the
centre.
“=The Duke of Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot.=—The Admiral flyes
the red cross, with rays of the sun issuing from each angle of the
cross, or.
“=The Holland Regiment of Foot= (afterwards the 3rd Buffs) flyes the
red cross bordered white in a green field.
“=Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of York and Albany’s Regiment of
Foot= (4th King’s Own) flies a red cross in a yellow field, bordered
white, with rays, as that of the Admiral’s, with H.R.Highness’s
cypher in the centre.”
Having completed the quotation from Brooks, we are able to give an
extract from an old M.S., which is interesting when read in conjunction
with the above descriptions of Army flags:—
“The imbroidered cypher and crowne on both sides Ye King’s owne
colours, £3 . 10 . 0.
“For painting and guilding ye other 23 colours and crownes on both
sides one with another at 15s. a side, £34 . 10 . 0.”
Clearly this extract refers to the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and
shows that the King’s colours were embroidered, whilst the Company
colours were merely painted. Before this time, we know that most flags
were painted and, afterwards, that the tendency was for them to be
embroidered. It seems fair, then, to infer from this that when the King
reviewed his troops at Putney Heath, the period was one of transition
from painted to embroidered decoration.
* * * * *
Passing on to the reign of King James II., it seems that he evolved many
changes which were but little appreciated in the military quarters in
those days. An authority of the time, named Sandford, who wrote a book
entitled, “A History of the Coronation,” describes some of the Army
flags as follows:—
“=1st or King’s Guards.=—The standard of the King’s Own Company was
of crimson silk, embroidered in the centre with the royal cypher,
J.R., ensigned with (i.e., having above it) an imperial crown in
gold. The colonel’s, also of crimson silk, was not charged with any
distinction or device. The lieutenant-colonel’s colour was of white
silk with the cross of St. George throughout (i.e., covering the
flag) of crimson silk, in the middle of which was painted an
imperial crown in gold. The major’s colour was distinguished by a
pile-wavy of crimson silk issuing out of the dexter chief of the
first quarter (i.e., the corner of the flag nearest to the top of
the staff), and an imperial crown of gold in the centre of the
cross. The eldest captain’s colour was distinguished by one of the
King’s cyphers, viz., J.R., interlaced, and an imperial crown
painted in the middle of the cross, of gold; the second captain was
differenced by two royal cyphers and crowns in the cross; the third,
by three; the fourth, by four; and so on every captain to the
twentieth who had his cross charged with twenty cyphers and crowns.
And thus they appeared at James’s coronation.
“=Coldstream Guards.=—His Majesty did then also direct that the
alterations following should be made in the ensigns of this his
second regiment of Foot Guards, that they might be more agreeable to
the colours of the first regiment; for, excepting the colonel’s
ensign, which was purely of white taffeta, the other eleven were
charged with crosses of crimson taffeta throughout. The
lieutenant-colonel’s, without distinction. The major’s had a
pile-wavy. The cross of the eldest captain was charged on the centre
with the figure I. in white, ensigned with an imperial crown of gold
painted thereon; the second with II., the third with III., the
fourth, IV., and so forward to the ninth captain who was
distinguished by IX., each of them under an imperial crown of gold.
And thus did these ensigns fly at the coronation.”
With the help of Sandford’s description, and a series of coloured
plates, which may be seen in the library at Windsor, we are able to get
a very correct impression of the Army colours of this period. Generally
speaking, they were remarkable for their brilliant colouring, their
fanciful fabric, their lack of similarity one with another, and their
show of private as opposed to royal badges. In this latter connection,
the colours of James showed a clear harking back to the pre-Reformation
days. Our first figure, on Plate I., reveals an attractive colour of the
period; it represents the standard of the Second Troop of Horse Guards,
date about 1687. The angels which support the large central crown were
taken from a popular French device, whilst the three small crowns placed
near the lower edge, refer to the King’s claim to the crowns of England,
Ireland and France. The central cypher, it may be well to point out, is
not F.R. but J.R. The second illustration reveals the Earl of
Shrewsbury’s rampant lion on a yellow field. There is a difference of
opinion as to whether the background should not be lightish buff, but
the Windsor plates certainly favour the colour as given in Fig. 2. The
flag is the colonel’s standard of Shrewsbury’s Regiment of Horse (now
the =5th Dragoon Guards=).
* * * * *
We have hinted that this was an era of much decoration, but to this rule
there is one outstanding exception—we refer to the =Scots Guards=. In
this case, the colonel’s colour was plain white, a favourite flag of
earlier times. The lieutenant-colonel’s was the national flag of
Scotland, a white St. Andrew’s Cross on a blue field. The major’s was
the same, but with a pile-wavy issuing from the upper corner of the
cross, and the captain’s as the lieutenant-colonel’s, but with a silver
numeral placed on the uppermost blue triangle. All were provided with
silver and blue tassels, and a silver spear surmounted the pole, emblems
which served to distinguish the flags of the Scots Guards from the
national flags which were current at that time.
* * * * *
From the end of the reign of James II. to 1707, when England and
Scotland formed a legislative union, we can trace but little in the
progress of military colours. The Union, however, came and left a very
clear impress on the banners of the time. Wherever the red cross of St.
George had been used, it was modified with the white cross of St.
Andrew, together with its distinctive blue triangular fields. As a rule,
the authorities favoured the use of small crosses, placed in the upper
canton, rather than large ones covering the whole fabric, for this
enabled a fairly big portion of the flag to be used for displaying the
arms of each particular military unit. A typical example of this period
is shown in Fig. 5. Here we have the colonel’s colour of General Grove’s
Regiment, afterwards the 10th Foot (now the =Lincolnshire Regiment=).
The talbot, the motto, and the ermine representations were all features
in the crest borne by General Grove. The date of this flag is 1726. Fig.
6, which shows the colours of the 27th or =Inniskilling Regiment=, is
also typical. Its date may be put down at about 1747.
The union did not appear on the infantry colours alone, during this
period; it also figured, but to a lesser extent, in the cavalry
standards, as may be noted from the following interesting quotation from
Milne.[2]
“Very little is known about cavalry standards from the time of James II.
until the middle of the next century; no drawings or evidence of any
kind seem forthcoming. One solitary specimen has been preserved,
however, and that of great interest, namely, the Dettingen standard of
the old 8th, subsequently 4th Horse (afterwards =7th Dragoon Guards=).
“A record of this regiment gives a very full and detailed account of its
bravery at Dettingen, under the command of its well-known colonel,
Major-General John Ligonier, who was created a knight-banneret on the
field of battle by the King (George II.) in person, and further proceeds
to relate that Cornet Richardson, carrying a standard, was surrounded by
the enemy and, refusing to surrender, received upwards of thirty sabre
cuts in his body and through his clothes. His standard and standard
lance were also damaged but he brought his precious charge out of
action.
“During the winter the standards, so much damaged in the battle as to be
unfit for use, were replaced by new ones from England, and each cornet
was presented with the one he had carried, as a testimony to his good
conduct. That presented to Cornet Richardson is still carefully
preserved by his descendant and representative.
“It is made of crimson silk brocade, about twenty-four inches square,
edged with gold and silver fringe, with a small union, three inches
square, in the upper corner; one side, the obverse, presents the crest
and motto of the colonel, General Ligonier (a demi lion issuing out of a
ducal coronet) with his motto, “Quo fata vocant,” on a scroll above; the
reverse gives his full coat of arms, crest, shield and motto, surrounded
with a handsome trophy of standards, trumpets, and implements of war,
all finely worked in gold embroidery.”
The feature of providing each side of the standard with a different
pattern, mentioned above, was unusual.
So far we have seen that with but one or two exceptions, no restrictions
were put upon the regimental authorities in designing their own colours.
Each unit was free to select its devices at will, and choose whatever
colouring seemed to fit its banners most. In 1743, however, a Royal
Warrant was issued which checked this freedom of design. It ran:—
“The Union colour is the first stand of colours in all regiments,
royal or not, except the Foot Guards. With them the King’s Standard
is the first as a particular distinction.
“No colonel to put his arms, crest, device, or livery in any part of
the appointments of his regiment.
“The first colour of every marching regiment of foot is to be the
great Union; the second colour is to be the colour of the facing of
the regiment, with the Union in the upper canton; except those
regiments faced with white or red, whose second colour is to be the
Red Cross of St. George, in a white field and a Union in the upper
canton. In the centre of each colour is to be painted, in gold Roman
figures, the number of the rank of the regiments, within a wreath of
roses and thistles on one stalk, except those regiments which are
allowed to wear royal devices or antient badges; the number of their
rank is to be painted towards the upper corner. The length of the
pike and colours to be the same size as those of the Foot Guards;
the cord and tassels of all colours to be crimson and gold.
“All the Royal Regiments, the Fusilier and the Marine Regiments, the
Old Buffs, the 5th and 6th Regiments, the 8th or King’s Regiment,
and the 27th or Inniskilling Regiment are distinguished by
particular devices, and therefore, not subject to the preceding
articles for colours.
“The Standards and Guidons of the =Dragoon Guards=, and the
Standards of the =Regimental Horse=, to be of Damask, embroidered
and fringed with Gold or Silver. The Guidons of the Regiments of
Dragoons to be of Silk. The Tassels and Cords of the whole to be of
Crimson Silk and Gold mixed. The size of the Guidons and Standards,
and the length of the Lance to be the same as those of the Horse and
Horse Grenadier Guards.
“The King’s or first Standard and Guidon of each Regiment to be
Crimson, with the Rose and Thistle, conjoined, and Crown over them,
in the Centre: His Majesty’s Motto, ‘Dieu et mon Droit,’ underneath.
The White Horse in a Compartment in the first and fourth corners;
and the Rank of the Regiment in Gold or Silver Characters on a
Ground of the same Colour as the Facing of the Regiment in a
Compartment in the second and third Corners.
“The second and third Standard and Guidon of each Corps to be of the
Colour of the Facing of the Regiment, with the Badge of the Regiment
in the centre, or the Rank of the Regiment in Gold or Silver Roman
characters, on a crimson ground, within a Wreath of Roses and
Thistles on the same stalk, the Motto of the Regiment underneath.
The White Horse, on a red ground to be in the first and fourth
Compartments; and the Rose and Thistle conjoined upon a red Ground
in the second and third Compartments. The distinction of the third
Standard or Guidon to be a figure 3 on a circular ground of Red
underneath the Motto. Those Corps which have any particular badge
are to carry it in the centre of their second and third Standard or
Guidon, with the Rank of the Regiment on a red ground within a small
Wreath of Roses and Thistles in the second and third corner.”
This warrant is remarkable from the fact that it swept aside many
customs which had taken years, even centuries in some cases, to mature,
and instituted new ones which, with slight modifications, have remained
till to-day. The details set out for the Dragoon Guards are particularly
elaborate, so much so that few people seem to know just what to make of
them. Milne says that the Dragoon regulations did not come into use very
rapidly because they were not understood. To support this contention, he
quotes the following Annual Inspection Returns. “=1st Dragoon Guards.=
Shrewsbury, November 5th, 1750. The inspecting officer reports Standards
received in 1740, and in bad condition, the regiment waiting for a
pattern from His Royal Highness the Duke.” Again, =6th Dragoons=.
Ipswich, November 22nd, 1750: “Waiting for a pattern from His Royal
Highness the Duke.” Evidently, says Milne, it was found difficult to
work from the printed details, and there appears to have been delay in
settling the precise form the numerous badges should take until the
commander-in-chief had sanctioned a pattern standard. When the patterns
were decided upon they were practically identical to those in use
to-day, and far more elaborate than those they displaced, as a reference
to Figs. 3 and 4 will show. In these figures, two forms of the standard
of the 2nd Dragoon Guards of 1742 are given.
The 1743 warrant gave rise to much uncertainty, even outside the section
which referred to the Dragoon Guards, and, consequently, it is not
surprising to find that many official orders and “letters” were issued
giving advice and information telling how the various regulations were
to be carried out. One such document determined the measurements of the
Army Union flag, which were, of course, not those of the national Union
flag. The horizontal edge was given as 6 ft. 6 ins., the vertical edge,
6 ft. 2 ins.; the width of the St. George’s Cross, 1 ft. 1 in.; the
width of the white edging to the St. George’s Cross, 5 ins.; the width
of the St. Andrew’s Cross, 9 ins. (The diagonal red cross of St. Patrick
did not then form part of the Union). Also, the length of the pike was 9
ft. 10 ins.; the length of the cords with tassels, 3 ft.; each tassel
was 4 ins.; and the length of the spear-head of the pike, 4 ins.
The idea of controlling the regimental colours by the higher authorities
seems to have found favour and, as a result, further regulations were
issued in a supplementary warrant in 1747.[3] Colonel Napier, who was
responsible for this document, decided upon the following particulars:—
=First Regiment or the Royal Regiment.=—In the centre of all their
colours, the King’s Cipher[4] within the circle of St. Andrew and
Crown over it; in the three corners of the second colour (i.e., the
regimental colour), the Thistle and Crown. The distinction of the
colours of the 2nd battalion is a flaming ray of gold descending
from the upper corner of each colour towards the centre.
=Second or the Queen’s Royal Regiment.=—In the centre of each
colour, the Queen’s Cipher, on a red ground, within the Garter and
Crown over it; in the three corners of the second colour the Lamb,
being the ancient badge of the regiment.
=Third Regiment or the Buffs.=—In the centre of both their colours,
the Dragon, being their ancient badge, and the Rose and Crown in the
three corners of their second colour.
=Fourth, or the King’s Own Royal Regiment.=—In the centre of both
their colours, the King’s Cipher on a red ground, within the Garter,
and Crown over it; in the three corners of their second colour the
Lion of England, being their ancient badge.
=Fifth Regiment.=—In the centre of their two colours, St. George
killing the Dragon, being their ancient badge, and in the three
corners of their two colours, the Rose and Crown.
=Sixth Regiment.=—In the centre of their two colours, the Antelope,
being their ancient badge, and in the three corners of their second
colour, the Rose and Crown.
=Seventh, or the Royal Fusiliers.=—In the centre of their two
colours, the Rose within the Garter and the Crown over it; the White
Horse in the corners of the second colour.
=Eighth, or the King’s Regiment.=—In the centre of both their
colours, the White Horse on a red ground, within the Garter and
Crown over it; in the three corners of the second colour the King’s
Cipher and Crown.
=Eighteenth Regiment or the Royal Irish.=—In the centre of both
their colours, the Harp in a blue field, and the Crown over it, and
in the three corners of their second colour, the Lion of Nassau—King
William the Third’s arms.
=Twenty-first, or the Royal North British Fusiliers.=—In the centre
of their colours, the Thistle within the circle of St. Andrew and
Crown over it, and in the three corners of the second colour, the
King’s Cipher and Crown.
=Twenty-third, or the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.=—In the centre of their
colours, the device of the Prince of Wales, viz., three feathers
issuing out of the Prince’s coronet; in the three corners of the
second colour, the badges of Edward the Black Prince, viz., a Rising
Sun, a Red Dragon, and the Three Feathers in the coronet; motto,
“Ich Dien.”
=Twenty-seventh, or the Inniskilling Regiment.=—Allowed to wear in
the centre of their colours a Castle with three turrets, from the
middle one of which flies a St. George’s Cross, all on a blue field,
and the name ‘Inniskilling’ above. (See Fig. 6).
=Forty-first Regiment, or the Invalids.=—In the centre of their
colours, the Rose and Thistle, on a red ground, within the Garter; a
Crown above. In the three corners of the second colour, the King’s
Cipher and Crown.
Of the period beginning with the year 1751, Milne writes as follows:[5]
“An entirely new era is now being entered upon; a complete break has
taken place in the continuity of the colours of the British infantry;
the colonel’s and lieutenant-colonel’s flags have disappeared[6],
together with their gaudy and ever varying private armorial devices,
distinctive perhaps to the educated, but to the unlettered rank and file
emblematical of but little.
“In their place, boldly and resolutely stands the regimental number,
simple in form, easily recognised, easily remembered, forming a rallying
point in the minds of soldiers, which, as decade after decade passed
away, became indissolubly connected with some glorious deed, in its turn
becoming a matter of history, adding lustre to the regimental number,
and so, gradually, but surely, building up that wonderful _esprit de
corps_ which has stood the nation in good stead on so many occasions.
“Extremely plain at first, only the number within its flowery
surroundings, the flowers will be observed to become more ornate; tokens
of honour, the remembrance of some gallant action or campaign, added
from time to time, and ultimately the names of victories duly and
discreetly authorised to be emblazoned: and all surrounding and
centreing upon the old regimental number, ever enhancing its value in
the eyes of those who had the honour of serving under it.”
* * * * *
The American War of Independence, as the reader may justly suppose,
marks another period in the history of military flags. In those days it
was customary, though not the immutable rule, to carry these emblems
into the line of battle, and as this period of fighting brought us many
reverses the effect on the colours was often disastrous. Many were taken
by the enemy, many more were worn to shreds, and a few were hidden and
lost. It is forgotten by some of us that American raiders infested our
shores and sank numbers of British vessels. The toll of ships led, at
times, to the loss of colours. Here is a case in point.
Report of an Inspection of the 81st Aberdeenshire Highlanders, at
Kinsale. “Colours wanting; were taken on passage from England to Ireland
by an American privateer. A new stand making in Dublin.”
As a result of all these happenings, many regiments will be found to
have had new colours at some time during the period 1776-83.
* * * * *
Continuing our history, we find that the next step to note concerns the
placing of battle honours on military flags. The first of these
distinctions was “Emsdorf,” and was given to the 15th Light Dragoons in
1768. Ten years later, the second distinction, “Gibraltar,” was awarded
to a quartette of regiments. It was the King’s appreciation of the
forces which withstood the fierce siege with “red-hot potatoes” under
the command of General Eliot, afterwards Lord Heathfield. The official
intimation of this grant is worth quoting _in extenso_.
“April 28th, 1784. I seize the opportunity to acquaint you further
that His Majesty has been graciously pleased in commemoration of the
glorious defence made by those regiments which comprised the
garrison of Gibraltar during the late memorable siege of that
important fortress to permit the 12th, 39th, 56th, 58th Regiments
which made a part of it, to have the word ‘Gibraltar’ placed upon
their grenadier and light infantry caps, their accoutrements and
drums, as likewise upon the second colour of each of those
regiments, just underneath their respective numbers.
“William Fawcett, Adjt.-General.”
It will be noticed that the distinction was to be fixed to the second or
regimental colour, and not to that of the King’s—a rule which holds till
this day, with but a few exceptions.
The Act of Union, which linked together the parliaments of England and
Ireland in 1801, had a considerable but obvious influence on the objects
of this study. Hardly was there a flag in the whole of the Army which
did not become obsolete by this union. Many of them were retired, and
fresh ones provided, but the general plan was to modify the existing
specimens. This was done by sewing red strips along the white limbs of
the St. Andrew’s Cross to provide for the St. Patrick’s Cross, and by
adding shamrocks to the wreath of leaves and flowers which encircled the
regimental badge. Milne says that the intrusion of the shamrock was in
all cases manifest, so that examples of this date may be recognised with
ease.
It is worth mentioning that colours are often modified or altered to
keep abreast with changing circumstances; new ones are not always
provided the moment they become obsolete in one or more small
particulars. The same writer from whom we just quoted describes the
changes which the standard of the =Coldstream Guards= underwent during a
period of some sixteen years. “When originally made, ... the central
garter star (i.e., the regimental badge) and the wreath richly
embroidered in gold bullion, but without the shamrock, and possibly the
crown, were all that appeared on the plain crimson silk ground. The
union with Ireland, 1801, necessitated the introduction of the shamrocks
... they have been squeezed into places when scarcely room could be
found for them. ‘Egypt’ and the ‘Sphinx’ having been authorised, they
would probably be added at the same time, ‘Egypt’ on a blue silk label,
immediately under the wreath, the ‘Sphinx’ within a laurel wreath of
gold embroidery, in all the four corners. The standard continued in this
state until 1814, when the honours, ‘Lincelles, Talavera, Barrosa,’ were
authorised to be used by the regiment. Consequently, they were added in
gold twist letters, on the crimson ground. Two more honours, ‘Peninsula
and Waterloo,’ were further authorised in 1815-16, and added soon after
on crimson silk (some trouble must have been occasioned in fitting the
two last into their places, so little room being left).”[7]
As time made the warrants of 1743 and 1747 more and more antiquated, we
find that regimental commanders took ever increasing liberties with the
regulations set down in those documents. To check such departures, a Mr.
George Naylor, the then York Herald, an appointment in the College of
Arms, was given the post of inspector of regimental colours in the year
1806. One of Mr. Naylor’s first actions was to issue a leaflet, which he
sent to every commanding officer, setting out certain rules of paramount
importance. The leaflet also gave a representation of both the King’s
and regimental colours, showing a blank central cartouche. This, he
intimated, was the standard pattern, and each commanding officer was
requested to fill in the details which were particular to his own flags
and return them for purposes of filing. The designs which came back to
Mr. Naylor clearly pointed to the lack of uniformity which had sprung up
in the preparation of colours. Many flags had been worked by ladies of
title who were patrons of the local unit, the daughters of the
commanding officers, and other such people, whose qualifications to
embroider were greater than their understanding of heraldry. To Mr.
Naylor, who knew what each flag should have borne, the designs must
frankly have been disappointing. In some cases, the Egyptian Sphinx
faced right instead of left; in others, it filled the space reserved for
the central badge; one instance is known where this device was used as
an ornament to cap the staff, and so heavily was it cast in silver that
those who carried it were “under the necessity of unscrewing it when the
regiment began to move”; a laurel wreath instead of the union wreath was
another substituted design. One of the filled-in designs returned to the
College of Arms showed a very dilapidated flag, but the covering letter
explained that, “the George and Dragon has nearly disappeared from our
King’s colour by a shell passing through it, though I trust his spirit
is left amongst us.”
* * * * *
The period following on the peace which came with the victory of
Waterloo proved of great activity in the world of military colours. The
old flags had seen much active service and had become worn and torn,
some had been stripped from their supports in a moment of crisis and
hidden, whilst a few fell from the hands of their possessors and became
lost. Also, we must not forget that many new battle honours had been
recently won, and the fixing of these distinctions would always be an
unwise action when the flags were showing signs of wear. Accordingly,
the regiments which were provided with new stands at this time were
considerable.
The post-Waterloo period was marked by the disappearance of the central
heart-shaped shield (Figs. 7 and 8) in favour of a circle of red silk,
which was divided into a ring and an inner circle, the first for taking
the territorial designation of the regiment, and the second for showing
the regimental badge or number. (It should, perhaps, be stated that
royal regiments and those with higher numbers than seventy seldom
possessed territorial designations at this time.) The central circle and
ring of crimson have remained until this day. Roman gave place to Arabic
numerals, but the latter have since died out; the wreath became a little
more elaborate, for buds and extra leaves were introduced, and the
sphinx was definitely placed below the chief badge. A word must be said
respecting the battle honours; these were fixed in almost any position
and combination and no rules were followed, partly because the number of
honours varied with each regiment and partly because few regiments
possessed sufficient to work up into a universal pattern. Not many of
the banners of this time were painted, but, of course, the Foot Guards
formed a notable exception. When a line regiment flew a painted flag, it
was somewhat despised, and the inspection report was worded in a
condemning spirit. Here is an example: “Colours only three years in use,
much injured from the circumstance of the arms and ornaments being
painted.”
Another era of laxity sprang up about 1830. Colours issued at this time
displayed many departures from the general rules. Arabic numerals once
more found favour for denoting the regimental numbers, county titles
were often missing, the wreath became more fanciful, and in one case,
the Northumberland Fusiliers, the badge of St. George and the Dragon was
encircled by the union wreath, the central crimson circle being entirely
missing. Honours were commonly inscribed on the King’s colours, which
was decidedly wrong.
The swing of the pendulum came in 1844, for in that year an order issued
from the Horse Guards decreed that battle honours were not to figure on
the King’s or Queen’s colours, nothing was to be placed on them beyond
the regimental designation and the imperial crown. This decision, which
did not apply to the Foot Guards, as they have always been a law unto
themselves, was lamented by many people, as it robbed these colours of
much of their splendour. Milne thinks that the edict was issued because
battle honours were fast growing in number, and if many of these were
sewn on to a jack which was already a combination of seams and stitches
the results would be disastrous in partly worn specimens.
* * * * *
At this point we must go back to the years which followed Waterloo, to
discuss the standards of the Cavalry. The Hussar regiments had discarded
them completely, and most, if not all, of the Lancers had done the same.
No Hussars or Lancers possess them to-day, but, of course, their drum
banners serve to display their arms and appointments.
* * * * *
The shape of these flags received attention at this time. =The Life
Guards and Horse Guards= continued to fly square standards (there was an
exception in the case of The Blues, of which mention is made later).
=The Dragoon Guards= had favoured guidons from the date of their
inception in 1746, but were ordered to carry square standards in 1837.
=The Dragoons= continued to use the guidon-shaped banner which they
selected in the days of the Stuarts, and which they still carry. The
Light Dragoons only possessed banners, which were guidons, in three
instances.
A King’s regulation, dated June 1st, 1837, decreed that:—
The Standards of the Dragoon Guards were “to be of silk damask
embroidered and fringed with gold. The guidons of the regiments of
Dragoons to be of silk. The flag of the standard to be 2 ft. 5 ins.
wide without the fringe, and 2 ft. 3 ins. on the lance. The flag of
the guidon of Dragoons to be 3 ft. 5 ins. to the end of the slit in
the tail, and 2 ft. 3 ins. on the lance; the first or royal standard
to be crimson, and the others of the colour of the facings as
before.” These latter were of a curious oblong shape, with straight
edges to the portions cut away in the fly.
Another official decree, dated August 18th, 1858, ran as follows:—
“Her Majesty has been pleased to approve that regiments of Dragoon
Guards henceforth carry but one standard or guidon, that the second,
third and fourth standards or guidons at present in use be
discontinued and that the authorised badges, devices, distinctions,
and mottoes be, in future, borne on what is now called the Royal or
first standard or guidon in the Dragoon Guards. N.B.—This not to
apply to the Household troops, who carry one standard per squadron.”
This decree is a little difficult to understand as the third and fourth
standards had not been carried for many years prior to the issue of the
warrant. To-day, of course, these regiments possess but a single flag, a
combination of royal and regimental colour in one.
A standard which has received much prominence, and which forms an
unwelcomed exception to the rule that the Horse Guards fly square
standards (see p. 29) was presented to the Blues by William IV. in 1812,
at Windsor. We quote from a newspaper cutting:—
“At 12 the King and Queen with their suite and an escort of the
Third Dragoon Guards passed along the front of the line in open
carriages and, having taken post in the centre, the guns fired and
the troops saluted. The troops having been wheeled inwards, and the
officers called to the front, Lord Hill placing himself before his
regiment, their Majesties, accompanied by the Dukes of Cumberland
and Gloucester, and Prince George of Cumberland, with the Duchess of
Cumberland and Princess Augusta, taking their station in the centre,
the standard, richly wrought in gold and emblazoned with the
trophies of the Blues, was consecrated by the Chaplain to the
Forces. After an address, in which the King recapitulated the motive
of his gift, and the early origin and distinguished services of the
Royal Horse Guards, His Majesty presented the standard to Lord Hill,
who respectfully received it on the part of his regiment. The troops
then resumed line, broke into column, and marched past in ordinary
and quick time.”
This standard was guidon-shaped and of crimson silk; in the centre it
had the cypher of William IV., forward and reversed, interlaced,
surrounded by a number of battle honours, above which was the royal
crown. In the four corners were crowned emblems of the rose, thistle and
shamrock.
* * * * *
We are now drawing to the close of this historical sketch, but before
turning from the subject we must mark the year 1855. About this time the
union wreath on the colours of the infantry regiments assumed the style
as we now have it; the spear-head gave way for the lion and crown which
now adorns the pike-tops, whilst the cord and tassels were given a
definite style which has not been altered since.
About this time, also, a regulation was issued declaring that “The
regimental or second colour is to be the colour of the facing of the
regiment, with the Union in the upper canton, except those regiments
which are faced with red, white or black. In those regiments which are
faced red or white, the second colour is to be the red cross of St.
George in a white field, and the Union in the upper canton. In those
regiments which are faced with black, the second colour is to be the St.
George’s Cross: the Union in the upper canton, the three other cantons,
black.”
A more recent regulation has been framed which, in a measure, modifies
the one just quoted. We give it at length:—
“=The Colours of the Infantry= are to be of silk, the dimensions to
be 3 ft. 9 ins. flying, and 3 ft. deep on the pike, which, including
the Royal Crest, to be 8 ft. 7½ ins., the cords and tassels to be
crimson and gold mixed.
“The Royal or First colour of every regiment (of infantry) is to be
the Great Union, the Imperial colour of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, in which the Cross of St. George is conjoined
with the crosses of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, on a blue field. The
first colour is to bear in the centre the territorial designation on
a crimson circle with the Royal or other title within the whole,
surmounted by the Imperial Crown.
“The regimental or second colour is to be the colour of the facing
of the regiment, except in those regiments which are faced with
white, in which the second colour is to be the red cross of St.
George in a white field, with the territorial designation of the
Royal or other title displayed, as on the Royal or First colour,
within the union-wreath of roses, thistles and shamrocks, ensigned
with the Imperial crown.
“The regimental or second colour of the First and Second battalions
is to bear the ancient badges, devices, distinctions, and mottoes,
which have been conferred by Royal authority. The third and fourth
battalions[8] are to carry the same colours without such devices and
distinctions as specially refer to actions or campaigns granted in
commemoration of the services of the other two battalions. The
number of each battalion, I., II., III., IV., is to be placed in the
dexter cantons.
“In those regiments which bear any ancient badge, the badge is to be
on a red ground in the centre. The territorial designation, if
practicable, to be inscribed on a circle within the union wreath of
roses, thistles, and shamrocks, and the Royal or other title in an
escroll underneath, the whole ensigned with the Imperial crown.
“No additions to, or alterations in colours is to be made without
the Sovereign’s special permission and authority, signified through
the Commander-in-Chief of the Army.
“Application for new colours is to be made to the Director of
Clothing, in accordance with the instructions laid down in the Royal
Warrant relating to clothing.”
=The Foot Guards=, which do not come under the heading of Infantry,
follow another set of regulations (see Chapter V.). Here it is of
interest to mention that, at one time, the authorities did everything in
their power to make them subject to the same regulations, but the Foot
Guards determined otherwise. Let us quote from Sir Frederick Hamilton’s
“History of the Grenadier Guards.” In September, 1859, when new colours
were about to be supplied to the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards, they
were given out from the Clothing Department, thus for the first time
treating the issue of Royal colours with about the same respect as is
accorded to the issue of a pair of regulation boots. Previous, however,
to delivery, Colonel F. W. Hamilton was requested to inspect them, when
he at once observed the substitution of the regimental for the Queen’s
colour and _vice versâ_. He also heard for the first time of the
proposal that the battalions should each select, _ad libitum_, one only
of the twenty-four Royal badges then belonging to them, and retain it as
their battalion badge, leaving the rest to fall into desuetude.”
* * * * *
As a result of this action, the Guards protested, as only Guards can,
against this attempt to rob them of their traditional customs. The
matter was laid before Queen Victoria, and in the month of October,
1859, she decided that “the crimson colour, as before, should be ‘the
Queen’s’ colour, and that the distinguished company badges, as hitherto
borne, should be retained, and emblazoned in rotation in the centre of
the Union or regimental colour. Excepting only the reduction in size,
and the addition of the proposed gold fringe, Her Majesty would wish no
further change to be made in the colours as hitherto borne by Her
Regiments of Guards. The service badges or names of actions in which the
regiments have distinguished themselves should be borne as hitherto-fore
on both colours.” This latter decree settled probably for all time the
designs of the colours of the Foot Guards.
We have now followed the growth of the military colours of the British
Army during the last two hundred and fifty years. In so long a period
and where so many different units are concerned, each having
peculiarities of its own, it is quite impossible to note every little
change and variation which has occurred, but the reader may be assured
that all the more important and interesting steps in the progress of
these emblems of British pluck and patriotism have received due notice.
-----
Footnote 1:
Quoted from S. M. Milne.
Footnote 2:
p. 63.
Footnote 3:
Prepared in 1747, but issued in 1751.
Footnote 4:
Napier’s spelling is adhered to.
Footnote 5:
p. 105.
Footnote 6:
Cf. the Foot Guards.
Footnote 7:
A Certificate has been issued to each man serving in the Coldstreams
during the War bearing the statement: “This is to inform the relatives
and friends of —— that he has served his King and Country as a
soldier, No. —— in the Coldstream Guards, during the Great European
War.” The card is decorated with this colour and one of later date.
The idea might well be followed by other regiments.
Footnote 8:
Now that the number of battalions has been increased in each regiment
it would, perhaps, be more accurate to make the division between
Regular Battalions and Territorial Force Battalions.