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Presentation of New Colours to The Mercian Regiment
6th June 2013 now represents a truly historic date for The Mercian Regiment. On this date the Regiment was presented with Mercian Colours for the first time following the amalgamation in 2007. Whilst the occasion was tinged with sadness, as the Colours of the antecedent regiments were marched off parade for the final time, the presentation of
New Colours was a tangible symbol of the Regiment looking to the future.
Background on The Colours
Regiments of the British army have fought under Colours for hundreds of years. In battle they formed a rallying point and a constant visual symbol of the Regiment’s fighting spirit. For this reason it was viewed as a major
dishonour to lose the Colours in battle and this rationale contributes to the protocol of the constant guard, through the Colour Party, the Colours must always be under when they are on parade. In modern times the Colours represent the shared history and ethos of
the Regiment as emblazoned on them are
the names of many famous Battle Honours the antecedent regiments gained. The newly presented Mercian Colours are unique in that they are the only Colours in the army to have wreaths of oak leaves displayed, as opposed to the traditional laurel wreath, in reverence
of one of our regimental symbols. Colours are bestowed on a Regiment by the reigning monarch and are traditionally renewed every 25 years. Once a set of Colours is replaced it is laid up in a cathedral as has been the case for the four sets which were marched off on 6th June with 1 MERCIAN’s being laid up in Chester Cathedral, 2 MERCIAN at Worcester, 3 MERCIAN at Lichfield and 4 MERCIAN at St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton.
The Presentation
Significant preparatory work had taken place over the week prior to the event with the marching contingents from
THE MERCIAN EAGLE