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You are here: Home / Article topics / Publications / Naval Historical Review / The Sovereign’s Colours in the Royal Australian Navy 1925-2003

The Sovereign’s Colours in the Royal Australian Navy 1925-2003

Davidson, Bill, LCDR, RAN · Dec 7, 2003 · Print This Page

Author
Davidson, Bill, LCDR, RAN
Subjects
History - general
Tags
RAN Colours, Australian White Ensign, Parading Colours, White Ensign
RAN Ships
HMAS Cerberus (Shore Establishment)
Publication
December 2003 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

The new Colours were presented at a combined parade on 1 November 1968 at Olympic Park, Melbourne by the Governor General, His Excellency Lord Casey, PC GCMG CH DSO MC KStJ. Some 1,950 personnel were on parade, including the companies of HMA Ships Anzac, Stalwart, Sydney, Queenborough and Vampire, with a Royal Guard provided by the ship’s company of HMAS Cerberus.

The Establishment Colour was laid up in St Mark’s Chapel on Sunday 9 March 1986 while the Fleet Colour was laid up in the Garden Island Chapel on Sunday 23 April 1989.

Current Colours

In 1981 the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sir J. Willis, KBE AO, RAN directed that investigations be made into the replacement of the RAN’s Colours. A decision was made in late 1983 that both Colours would be replaced, with subsequent discussions identifying that this should occur in 1986 (RAN 75th Anniversary) and 1988 (Australia’s Bicentenary). The Colours cost approximately $10,000 each, while two replacement sets of accoutrements, less staffs, cost a further $10,000.

In early 1984 Queen Elizabeth II agreed to present a Colour during the Royal Visit to Australia scheduled for March 1986. The new Establishment Colour was presented at HMAS Cerberus on Friday 7 March 1986 – some 600 personnel were on Divisions. The Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus is the custodian on behalf of the Establishments with the Colour being held in the Maritime Wing of the Defence Force School of Signals ((Formerly known as the RAN Communications School until 1998 and the Communications and Information Systems School 1998-2002)).

The new Fleet Colour was presented in Sydney by the Governor General, His Excellency Mr. Hayden, AC, at Fleet Base East on Monday 17 April 1989. Some 450 personnel were on Divisions, including the companies of HMA Ships Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart, Jervis Bay, Cook and Waterhen whilst the Royal Guard was provided by the companies  of  HMA  Ships  Perth  and Torrens.  Commodore  Flotillas  is  now the custodian on behalf of the Maritime Commander, with the Colour being held at Maritime Headquarters in Sydney.

Ceremonies Involving the Colour

Presentation of a Colour

Although made of the finest banner silk a Colour is only expected to last for about 15-20 years – the more it is paraded the shorter this will be. Approval to replace the Colour is not automatic and the consent of the Sovereign, whose Colour it will be, must be gained first. Once approval is granted, a suitable dignitary must then be selected to present the Colour and for the RAN this can only be one of the following personages:

a.     the reigning Sovereign; b.    a suitable member of the reigning Sovereign’s family, or c.     the Governor-General of Australia. The Colour is not merely a representational symbol of the Sovereign, which in time is superseded and becomes a historical  relic;  rather  it  is  endowed with characteristics  that  remain  as  long  as  it exists. Four of these qualities are imbued in the Colour at its presentation whilst those who serve it during its life endow the fifth. First, it has the character of the Sovereign whose Colour it is, and that character is given together with the authority to act, so that no action performed under the Colour is contrary to that nature. Secondly, the Colour is consecrated, that is, separated from profane and evil use and can only be used in the character of God.

This apparently dates back to the Battle of the Standards in 1138 when the Yeomen of Yorkshire took with them consecrated banners from York Cathedral, and fought so fiercely to save the banners that they were victorious against heavy odds. Next it is blessed, endowing the Colour with holiness, which is the power of God, with which to fight against evil. Fourthly, it is dedicated, and in this the Colour is given a purpose, to be used only in a holy and just cause. Finally, the Colour is given the character of those who serve it. The deeds of gallantry and suffering, loyalty and faithfulness, of individuals and Ship’s Companies are indelible marks of the Colour. It is this final character that results in the Colour being treated with such veneration whenever it is paraded.

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Naval Historical Review, History - general RAN Colours, Australian White Ensign, Parading Colours, White Ensign

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