THE COLOURS
From the earliest days, Colours were carried by regiments and companies and those of the Admiral's Regiment, as was
normal, reflected the yellow of their coats
of the 17th century. It is interesting to note that today 42 Commando still uses the design of the original Lieutenant Colonel's Colour as their unit flag.
When the six Marine Regiments were formed, the number of Colours carried had been reduced to two, the King's Colour
(or Union Flag) and a Regimental Colour (matching the facings). Later each of
the Grand Divisions (Chatham,
Portsmouth, Plymouth and, for a period,
Woolwich) carried Colours. Each Royal Marine Commando was presented with a stand of Colours at a ceremony in Malta
on 29 November 1952, by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and today in the Royal Marines, Colours are only carried by Commandos. 41 and 43 Commandos, during their brief revivals, were presented with Colours which
are now housed in the Officers Messes at Plymouth
and Lympstone respectively.
"Guard these Colours well and remember
that, whatever the problem, a Royal Marine Commando is always expected the achieve the impossible."
HRH The
Duke of Edinburgh, Malta
1952
