Chapter V: The Colours of the Foot Guards

Tradition has perhaps a stronger hold in the Foot Guards than in any of the Infantry units dealt with in the chapter which follows. Accordingly, the reader must not be surprised to find that most of the general rules which affect the colours of the line regiments do not apply to the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards. We have already mentioned that the King’s colour, as a rule, consists of a Union Jack, whilst the regimental colour is a flag bearing the devices and honours of the regiment to which it belongs. In the Guards, however, this rule is reversed, and the Jack constitutes the regimental, and the banner, charged with devices, the King’s colour. Another difference which may be mentioned concerns the battle honours. These are not placed on the royal colours in the majority of foot regiments, but the Guards show them on both the King’s and regimental colours. (The Irish and Welsh Guards at the time of writing possess no battle honours, they being comparatively new units.)

=The Grenadier Guards= have three flags, known as the Colonel’s, the Lieutenant-Colonel’s, and the Major’s colours, which are used as the King’s colour in the first, second and third battalions respectively.

=17.= King’s Colour of the Grenadier Guards (1st Battalion).
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=18.= Regimental Colour of the Grenadier Guards (15th Company).
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=19.= King’s Colour of the Coldstream Guards (1st Battalion).
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=20.= Regimental Colour of the Coldstream Guards (1st Company).
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=21.= King’s Colour of the Scots Guards (1st Battalion).
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=22.= Regimental Colour of the Scots Guards (9th Company).
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=23.= King’s Colour of the Irish Guards.
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=24.= King’s Colour of the Welsh Guards.
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PLATE 3. COLOURS OF THE FOOT GUARDS

The Colonel’s or King’s first battalion colour consists of a crimson silk banner bearing an imperial crown above a flaming grenade. (Fig. 17.) On either side is a column of twelve tablets in gold, each inscribed with the name of one of the following battle distinctions:—

Tangier, 1680; Namur, 1695; Gibraltar, 1704-5; Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Dettingen; Lincelles; Egmont-op-Zee; Corunna; Barrosa; Nive; Peninsula; Waterloo; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir; Suakin, 1885; Khartoum; South Africa, 1899-1902; Modder River.

The Lieutenant-Colonel’s or the King’s colour of the second battalion consists of a crimson silk banner bearing in the dexter canton, a small Union Jack, whilst in the centre of the crimson field is the Royal Cypher, reversed and interlaced, having above it an imperial crown, and, below, a flaming grenade. Battle honours also appear.

The Major’s colour, which serves as that of the King’s for the third battalion, is like the above, but from the sinister or bottom right hand corner of the small Jack issues a pile-wavy or, that is, a tongue of flame worked in gold.

In addition to the foregoing, there are three regimental colours, one for each of the three battalions. These flags bear the device of the Union Jack, full size, upon the four red centre limbs of which figure the Royal Crown, a flaming grenade, certain battle distinctions, and a special badge.

The special badge varies not only with each battalion, but with every new flag that is supplied to replace a discarded one. There is a series of thirty of these badges, each one of which is a company badge of the Grenadier Guards. They are as follows:—

1st Company.—A golden lion wearing a crown and standing upon another
crown (i.e., the Royal crest as given on the current sixpenny
piece). In the upper staff corner of the colour is placed in all
these flags the company number in Roman numerals.

2nd Company.—A red Tudor rose with a white centre.

3rd Company.—A fleur de lys.

4th Company.—A portcullis with chains hanging from it. This device
was taken by Henry VII. from the badge of the House of Somerset. His
mother, it will be remembered, was Margaret, daughter of John, Duke
of Somerset.

5th Company.—A white rose in a glory or sun. This was the badge of
the Earldom of March.

6th Company.—A thistle and rose, stalked and leaved. It was the
device adopted by James I. to signify the union which had been
effected between England and Scotland.

7th Company.—The harp of Ireland.

8th Company.—The red dragon of Cadwallader, on a green mount. This
device was used by the sovereigns of the united Houses of York and
Lancaster. It was taken by Henry VII. to remind people of his
descent from Cadwallader, whose shield bore the red dragon as a
supporter.

9th Company.—A white greyhound, with a red collar, standing on a
green mount. An old badge belonging to the Earl of Richmond.

10th Company.—A sun in splendour with a human face, a badge selected
by Richard II. when he desired to improve upon the badge of his
father. Richard used a full sun in contradistinction to his father’s
rising or partial sun.

11th Company.—A white unicorn of Scotland, gorged with a golden
prince’s coronet and chain, on a green mount. This was an old badge
of James I.

12th Company.—A white antelope, gorged with a ducal crown and chain,
standing on a green mount—a well known device of Henry IV., son of
John of Gaunt. He appropriated this animal from the escutcheon of
the House of Lancaster.

13th Company.—A white hart, gorged with a ducal crown and chain, on
a green mount; a badge assumed by Richard II. from the devices of
his mother, Joan, daughter of Edmund, Earl of Kent.

14th Company.—A white falcon with extended wings, perched on the
barrel of a closed golden fetterlock. Edward IV., in addition to the
device of the white rose which was taken from the Earl of March,
selected this white falcon from the badge of his grandfather, the
first Duke of York.

15th Company.—A red rose with green stalks and leaves (Fig. 18).

16th Company.—A white swan, gorged with a ducal crown and chain, on
a green mount. It may be remembered that Humphrey, Earl of Hereford,
used a swan argent, and his daughter, when she married Henry IV.,
took the same device.

17th Company.—A white falcon, crowned and bearing a sceptre,
standing on the stump of a tree out of which is growing a branch
bearing three roses, one white and two red. This was Elizabeth’s
badge, to remind people that she was descended from both the Houses
of York and Lancaster.

18th Company.—A stump of a tree which was the badge of Edward III.;
assumed by him to point out how flourishing was his family.

19th Company.—A golden sceptre and sword proper—a device used by the
House of Stuart.

20th Company.—A green oak tree on a green mount. In the branches of
the tree may be seen the head of Charles II. peeping out. This is an
emblem to remind us of his hiding after the Battle of Worcester.

21st Company.—A sun rising behind clouds. This is a badge of Edward
the Black Prince, which he assumed when he felt that his princely
deeds were on the point of revealing him to the world as a man
possessing a glorious future.

22nd Company.—A beacon or cresset with flames. This device was used
by Henry V. when he wished to tell people that his deeds would shed
a radiance similar to those of the flames of a fire.

23rd Company.—Silver ostrich feathers, crossed. The Lancastrians
took this device.

24th Company.—A white hart with golden antlers springing from the
gate of a golden triple towered castle. This badge appears to be of
Irish origin.

25th Company.—A red cross of St. George, on a silver shield.

26th Company.—The arms of Nassau. A golden lion rampant, crowned,
standing near to eight billets on a blue shield. The Counts of
Nassau, it will be remembered, were connected by marriage with the
English Royal family.

27th Company.—The badge of the Order of the Bath, a device
comprising the rose, thistle, shamrock, etc.

28th Company.—Three crests of German origin, emanating from Saxony,
Brunswick and Hanover.

29th Company.—A shamrock.

30th Company.—The crest of the Prince Consort, i.e., from out of a
ducal Coronet appears a pillar crowned with a coronet from which
issues a plume of three peacocks’ feathers. The arms of Saxony are
shown on the pillar.

=The Coldstream Guards= also have three flags, known as the Colonel’s, the Lieutenant-Colonel’s, and the Major’s colours, which are used as the King’s colour in the first, second, and third battalions respectively.

The Colonel’s or King’s first battalion colour consists of a crimson silk banner bearing the Star of the Order of the Garter, i.e., the cross of St. George in the garter, on an eight-rayed star. A Sphinx superscribed “Egypt” is placed below, and at the foot of the Sphinx is a scroll, bearing the inscription, “South Africa’, 1899-1902.” (Fig. 19.) On either side of these devices is a column of ten tablets in gold, each inscribed with the name of one of the following battle distinctions:—

Tangier, 1680; Namur, 1695; Gibraltar, 1704-5; Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Dettingen; Lincelles; Talavera; Barrosa; Fuentes d’Onor; Nive; Peninsula; Waterloo; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir; Suakin, 1885; South Africa, 1899-1902; Modder River.

The Lieutenant-Colonel’s or the King’s colour of the second battalion consists of a crimson silk banner bearing in the upper corner next to the staff a small Union Jack, whilst in the centre of the crimson field is a star of eight rays and, below it, the Sphinx of Egypt. Battle honours also appear.

The Major’s colour, which serves as that of the King’s for the third battalion, is like the above, but from the bottom right-hand corner of the small Jack issues a pile-wavy or.

In addition to the foregoing, there are three regimental colours, one for each of the three battalions. These flags bear the device of the Union Jack, full size, upon the four red centre limbs of which figure the Royal Crown, certain battle distinctions, the Sphinx of Egypt, and a special badge.

The special badges vary as set out for the Grenadier Guards. They are as follows:—

1st Company.—A white lion on a green mount, surmounted by an
imperial crown. (Fig. 20).

2nd Company.—The Prince of Wales’ feathers in silver, with gold
quills, encircled by the coronet of Edward the Black Prince.

3rd Company.—A white tiger, having flames of fire emitted from the
mouth and ears, on a green mount.

4th Company.—Crossed swords, with points upwards, in silver. The
hilt and pommel are in gold.

5th Company.—The St. George and Dragon.

6th Company.—A red rose with golden seeds and green thorns, in a
garter, a badge of Henry IV. of Lancaster.

7th Company.—A centaur provided with a bow and arrow, on a green
mount. These were the royal arms of Stephen.

8th Company.—Two crossed sceptres in gold.

9th Company.—The knot of the collar of the Order of the Garter. This
was the royal device of Richard II.

10th Company.—A carbuncle, in gold. This precious stone formed one
of the badges of Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, whose other badge, the
planta genista, is world famous.

11th Company.—A white boar, passant, bristled gold, on a green
mount—a badge of the House of Warwick.

12th Company.—A dun cow, on a green mount. The dun cow of Dunsmore
Heath, near Rugby, has the tradition of being slain by Guy of
Warwick.

13th Company.—A red and white rose impaled with a golden pomegranate
bearing green leaves. This device was brought from Spain by
Katherine of Arragon.

14th Company.—A white horse, galloping, on a green mount.

15th Company.—The crown of Charlemange, in gold.

16th Company.—The same badge as given for the 28th Company of
Grenadier Guards.

=The Scots Guards= have three flags, known as the Colonel’s, the Lieutenant-Colonel’s, and the Major’s colours, the first two of which are used as the King’s colour in the first and second battalions.

The Colonel’s or King’s first battalion colour (Fig. 21) consists of a crimson silk banner, bearing an imperial crown surmounting the Royal Arms of Scotland. Under these are placed the motto, “En! Ferus Hostis” (Lo! A savage foe), and the Sphinx of Egypt. On either side is a column of seven tablets, in gold, each bearing the name of one of the following battle distinctions: Namur, 1695; Dettingen; Lincelles; Talavera; Barrosa; Fuentes d’Onor; Nive; Peninsula; Waterloo; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Egypt, 1882; Tel-el-Kebir; Suakin, 1885; South Africa, 1899-1902; Modder River.

The Lieutenant-Colonel’s or the King’s colour of the second battalion consists of a crimson silk banner bearing in the dexter canton a small Union Jack, whilst in the centre of the crimson field is an imperial crown, a Tudor rose, a thistle and shamrock, and the Sphinx of Egypt. On this flag is the motto, “Unita fortior” (By union stronger). Battle honours also appear.

The Major’s colour, which does not serve as that of the King’s colour, as there is no third battalion, bears the star of the Order of the Thistle, with a small Union Jack, from which issues a pile-wavy. There is also the Egyptian Sphinx, and a motto, “Nemo me impune lacessit” (No one provokes me with impunity).

The regimental colours of the Scots Guards consist of a full-size Union flag, emblazoned with a crown and Sphinx, and bear the badges of the companies, on lines similar to those laid down in connection with the two former regiments of Guards. The first twelve badges are as follows:—

1st Company.—A red lion standing on an imperial crown, all on a
silver shield. The motto is “In defence.”

2nd Company.—A hand grenade with a lighted fuse and the motto
“Terrorem affero” (I carry terror with me).

3rd Company.—The red rampant lion of Scotland. Motto, “Intrepidus”
(Undaunted).

4th Company.—The cross with a representation of St. Andrew, upon a
star of silver, all under a thistle. Motto, “Nemo me impune
lacessit.”

5th Company.—A red lion, passant and full-faced, on a gold shield.
Motto, “Timere nescius” (I do not know fear).

6th Company.—A blue griffin, on a gold shield, the badge of Edward
III. Motto, “Belloque ferox” (And ferocious in war).

7th Company.—A salamander standing amidst flames—the badge of
Francis I. of Orleans, who agreed to marry Mary, the sister of Henry
VIII., when Louis XII. died, on consideration that Henry renounced
all claims to the French throne. It may be added that Francis did
not eventually marry Mary. Motto, “Per funera vitam” (Through death,
life).

8th Company.—A thunderbolt. Motto, “Horror ubique” (Dread
everywhere).

9th Company.—A cannon represented as though in the act of ejecting a
projectile. Motto, “Concussæ cadent urbes” (The cities crashing
fall). (Fig. 22).

10th Company.—A green lizard, on a green mount. Motto, “Pascua nota
mihi” (Green fields are my home).

11th Company.—A cross of St. Andrew, on a blue shield. Motto, “In
hoc signo vinces” (By this sign thou shalt conquer).

12th Company.—A group of war trophies. Motto, “Honore præfero” (I
put forth my honours).

=The Irish Guards=, which are of comparatively recent origin, have a King’s colour of crimson silk, bearing, in the centre, the Royal Cypher, in gold, surrounded by the collar of the Order of St. Patrick, with badge appendant proper, the whole ensigned with the imperial crown. (Fig. 23.)

The regimental colour is the Union flag, upon the central red limbs of which are placed an imperial crown and the Royal cypher. There are eight company badges. No battle honours have yet been assigned to this regiment.

=The Welsh Guards=, which were formed in the summer of 1915, possess a King’s colour of crimson silk, bearing the imperial crown and a dragon. The motto, “Cymru am byth” (Wales for ever), appears on a gilt scroll. (Fig. 24).

The regimental colour is the Union flag, upon the central red limbs of which are placed an imperial crown, and a shield filled by three silver lions.