Colours.

Colours. MILITARY, are the flags carried by certain regiments of the British army. Those of the infantry were originally called ensigns, a name still used in the navy. In former times there was one for each company, but now there is, in each Battalion (q.v.), a 'pair of colours,' one (the 'Union Jack,' on a blue ground) called the royal or queen's colour, is the more important, and of the same pattern for all regiments; the other, or regimental colour, matches the facings of the regiment, and has in one corner the blue union, in the centre a wreath of roses, shamrocks, and thistles, with the name, crest, and motto of the regiment, and the campaigns in which it has taken part. The facings of all regiments having the title 'Royal' are blue, otherwise they are white for English, yellow for Scottish, and green for Irish. The East Kent Regiment, formerly famous as the 'Buff,' retains the buff facings, and is the only exception. English regiments have the St George's cross in red on their white colours. All colours are made of silk, 3 feet 9 inches by 3 feet, fringed with gold, and have crimson and gold cords and tassels, on a staff 8 feet 7 inches long. They are carried on parade by the two junior sub-lieutenants (formerly ensigns), and guarded by two sergeants and two men, forming what is called the 'colour party,' but are no longer taken into battle. Since the Franco-German war of 1870-71 it has been recognised that they make too conspicuous a mark. The last time British colours were taken into the field was in the Zulu war of 1880. An officer trying to save them after Isandula, was drowned in the Tugela, and the colours were found wrapped round his body. Regiments of guard cavalry have oblong 'standards,' 30 inches by 27, and dragoon regiments have 'guidons,' 41 inches by 27, slit in the fly, with the upper and lower corners rounded off at one foot from the end. These flags are all of crimson silk, with gold fringe, cord, and tassels, and bear the crest and campaigns of the regiment. The Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Lancers, Hussars, and Rifle regiments have no colours. When a regiment obtains new colours, they are usually solemnly presented by a royal personage or some lady of distinction, with much military pomp, after a special religious service. The old colours are hung up in the cathedral or parish church at the territorial headquarters. A member of the Heralds' College is 'inspector of regimental colours.' Camp colours are small flags matching the facings of the regiment, to designate the part of the camp it occupies.