1918-20081918-2008 1918-2008 11 July 2008
Presentation of the Queen’s Colours for the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom and for the Royal Air Force Regiment
th Anniversary of the Designed by Command Media Services, HQ Air No. 0209-08CW royal air force . royal air force. ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ ‘Per ArduaProgramme Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ 1918-20081918-2008 1918-2008
A moth-eaten rag on a worm-eaten pole, It does not look likely to stir a man’s soul; ‘Tis the deeds that were done ‘neath the moth-eaten rag, When the pole was a staff and the rag was a flag. Sir Edward Hamley th Anniversary of the Front Cover Picture: Presentation of the First Queen’s Colour for the RAF in the UK, 26th May 1951 in Hyde Park. royalroyal air air force force ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’
Foreword
By Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy GCB CBE DSO ADC BSc(Eng) FRAeS FCGI RAF Chief of the Air Staff
personnel for the parade who, along with drill instructors and support staff, have come together to provide today’s display. They include not only the Colour Parties for the RAF and RAF Regiment, but also the Standard Parties from sixty-one RAF and RAF Regiment squadrons. All of the individuals that you see on parade have invested considerable It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to RAF Fairford effort to ensure that they achieve the highest standard of today to take part in this memorable day in the history turn out and drill. Personnel from other parts of our Service of the Royal Air Force, when both the RAF and the RAF are also involved today, and to help celebrate this significant Regiment have the honour of being presented with new milestone in our history you will see later this afternoon Queen’s Colours. This privilege is only bestowed every 15 a mass flypast of aircraft and a number of short displays years, so today will be a unique opportunity for many people. that are representative of RAF aviation through the ages. Outlined elsewhere in this programme are details of why It is also fitting that this ceremony takes place here at RAF Colours and Standards are so important to the Armed Forces. Fairford and is set against the backdrop of the world’s biggest Of course, for our Sovereign to present new Colours is always military air show, the Royal International Air Tattoo. The a significant event and one in which we take great pride. This Tattoo raises considerable sums of money which goes to is especially so today because this is the first time that Her support the RAF Charitable Trust and we are delighted that Majesty The Queen has presented two Colours at the same ‘RAF 90’ has been selected as one of the major themes for time. Furthermore, falling as it does in our 90th Anniversary this year’s Show. I would like to express my personal thanks year, a year that sees the Royal Air Force committed at to the Tattoo organisers and our United States Air Force unprecedented levels on enduring and dangerous operations colleagues, who operate this base, for the tremendous support overseas, today’s ceremony has a special resonance for all of us they have provided to today’s event. in the Service. Whether you are a visiting Chief of an overseas Air Force, Inevitably, mounting a parade such as this requires a representative from Industry, a distinguished guest from tremendous effort and hard work by large numbers of people. elsewhere in the community, a serving member of the Royal RAF stations from across the Service have contributed Air Force, a veteran, a family member or friend, thank you for attending this unique event - and I hope you enjoy the day. royalth Anniversary air of the force royal air‘Per Ardua force . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ 1918-20081918-2008 1918-2008 The Origins of the Colours and Standards of the RAF
In December 1947 the King approved the granting of Royal practice continued until 1881. Men continued to die fighting Colours to the RAF in the United Kingdom. The Colours are to save their Colours and thereby the honour of the regiment. the senior ceremonial flag in the RAF and “fly not only for The last time Colours were carried into battle was in January the living, but for all who have died ….for the King”. The 1881 during the 1st Boer War. Colours, Standards and Battle Honours awarded to the RAF are an outward sign of this close link. Standards and Colours In 1943 His Majesty King George VI marked the 25th of the RAF Anniversary of the formation of the RAF by granting to RAF Standards were first awarded in 1943. To qualify a operational flying squadrons who met specific qualifications squadron had either to be of 25 years standing, or to have the right to a ceremonial flag to be known as “The Standard”. earned the Monarch’s appreciation through exceptionally The Standard is the embodiment of the squadron and the outstanding operations. Both RAF Regiment and Royal symbol under which it fights. Its presence on parade or at a Auxiliary Air Force units are eligible but not reserve units. ceremony represents that of the Squadron to which it belongs. The general design of The Standard was chosen in 1947 and The practice of having Colours and Standards within the was approved by the King in June 1950. The first Standard RAF has been inherited from the Army through the Royal to be presented, in April 1953, was that of 1 Squadron by Flying Corps connection with the RAF Colours based on the AVM Sir Charles Longcroft who had been the Squadron’s first RAF Ensign. The RAF Regiment follows a similar practice Commanding Officer. to that of the Royal Marines in that it has its own Colour for When a Standard is presented part of the ceremony the RAF Regiment as a whole and also individual Squadron includes a drumhead service of dedication, a practice which Standards. In so doing both the Royal Marines and RAF reflects the blessing of flags first mentioned in a manuscript Regiment show their link to the Army infantry role. of the 14th Century. When a squadron disbands or a Colour The concept of colours and standards is extremely is replaced the flag is not destroyed as was a Roman Eagle old; to the Roman Legions the loss of their Eagle was an unmitigated disgrace. Banners, flags and pennants decorated medieval battlefields. They were used to identify friend from foe and to act as rallying points. The English Civil War saw the first real military flags such as we would recognise today; a period which also say the beginnings of the modern Army. The close personal association of Monarch with the granting of Colours and Standards began to develop during the reign of Charles II. The practice of colonels choosing their own devices did not stop until 1743 when a Royal Warrant brought to a halt freedom of design, Colours and Standards became royal rather than personal emblems. This warrant emphasised that the regiment’s loyalty was to the Crown not the colonel. Despite an order given in 1811 that Colours and Standards should no longer be carried into battle the
‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’
9 Colours have been presented to the RAF. Those of the defunct overseas Commands are laid up in the RAF Church of St Clement Danes in London. Each Colour is a 3 foot 9 inch square made of light blue silk with appropriate device or badge and the Royal Cypher and carried on an 8 foot 6 inch pike. The original design for Colours did not include the Royal Cypher but King George VI requested its use to reflect his personal associations with the RAF. Colours are paraded for royal visits or other royal occasions or at events selected by the Air Force Board. A Colour is normally presented by the Sovereign or their representative. The Queen when Princess Elizabeth presented the Colour to the RAF in the United Kingdom on behalf of her father King George VI who was prevented from doing so himself through illness. The presentation ceremony for a Colour also includes a religious aspect. As with Standard presentations there is a drumhead service but whilst a Standard is dedicated a Colour is consecrated. (With thanks to Mary Hudson -RAF Air Historical Branch) but laid up in a cathedral, church, or chapel where they hang until they crumble away. The first King’s Colour was first presented on 6 July 1948 by King George VI to the RAFC Cranwell. At the presentation ceremony he defined the symbolism of the Colour. “Firstly it is a King’s Colour, and therefore the symbol of the loyalty which you owe to your Country. Secondly, as the Colour of your Service, it enshrines the history, embodies the traditions and represents the ideals of the Royal Air Force. Finally it belongs to this College, and commemorates the leaders who have gone out from Cranwell and especially those who have laid down their lives.” Colours are usually designated King’s/Queen’s Colours. In all royalth Anniversary air of the force royal air‘Per Ardua force . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ 1918-20081918-2008 1918-2008
Colours and Standards in the Making: From design to completion
Ceremonial Office memory of the first aircraft flown by the squadron in France. The RAF Ceremonial Office is responsible for the renewal The motto ‘Quam celerrime ad astra’ means ‘As quickly as and repair of all Colours and Standards in the Royal Air possible to the stars’. Force. Normally at the 15-year point for Colours and the The Squadron has had one replacement Standard since it 25-year point for Standards, the office boards the Colour was awarded the right to a Standard. The first was presented or Standard. The condition of the Colour or Standard is in 1955 and laid up in Lincoln Cathedral in May 1980; The examined and a decision is made on its remaining life. Six Standard was reviewed in 2006 at its 25-year point and the colours or Standards are then selected for renewal in that decision was made that the Standard would not last another financial year at a cost today of £20,000 each. In 2007 one of year and the contract was awarded to replace it. The process the Standards chosen to be replaced was No 27 Sqn, based at for the production of Standards and Colours is the same. RAF Odiham. Once the contract is awarded, the ‘office copy painting’ of the badge is sent from the College of Arms to Hobson’s The Story of 27 Squadron and Sons in Essex to ensure that the design of the Standard No 27 Squadron formed in 1915 at Hounslow in is correct and the right coloured threads are used. As for Middlesex. The elephant was included in the design of the Battle Honours, 27 Sqn has the right to emblazon 9 honours badge during the 1914-1918 war in order to perpetuate the including Gulf 1991.
‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ UADR O SQ N DR QUA ON 27 27 S
R O E Y C A R QU L O A AIR F RA M S T 27 27 CE D A Colours and Standards in the Making: From design to completion LERRIME A R O E Y C A R QU L O A AIR F RA M S T Once the ‘office copy’ has been received by Hobsons, work Once all the parties have accepted the Standard,CE it is sentD A LERRIME A can commence. Every standard is embroidered on a 4ft x 3ft to RAF Uxbridge ready for collection by the Squadron. Once single layer of high quality silk, at a cost of £180 a metre. the Standard has been presented, the old Standard will be laid Off-cuts of the silk are used for repairs and practice pieces. up in consecrated building until it finally falls to dust. Silk thread is used for the main design and the border and the wording is embroidered in Gold Wire (2% of gold in each piece of wire). The design is then hand-drawn onto the silk and stretched taught over a frame, which is then rolled to expose the area the embroiderer wishes to work on. The border is embroidered using a single piece of silk and the embroiderers work on one side of the silk cloth only and do not see the other side whilst they are stitching. The reverse of the Standard’s border is essentially ‘embroidered blind’, but needs to be of the same quality as the working side. Once the border is complete, the silk is re-rolled to expose the centrepiece. The centre is worked on a separate piece of silk and the design is repeated on a separate piece. The same applies to the Battle Honours and the scroll wording around the centre. This ensures that the Standard is correct on both sides: if the embroiderers worked directly onto the silk the writing would be in reverse on the opposite side. Once the centrepiece design, the Battle Honours and centre scroll writing have been completed, they are turned over at the edges and sewn around the edge on both sides of the Standard. Once the Standard is complete it is ‘boarded’ by the office and by representatives from the Defence Logistics Organisation to ensure that the design is correct and the quality of work is of the highest standard. All ancillary items are also checked.
royalth Anniversary air of the force royal air‘Per Ardua force . Ad Astra’ ‘Per Ardua . Ad Astra’ UADRO SQUADR UADRO UADRO UADRO UADRO UADRO UADRO SQ N . O Q N SQ N SQ N SQ N SQ N SQ N .C N S A
1 1 II II IV IV V V 6 6 7 7 IX IX 3 3
R R R R R R R E E R E E E E E O O E O O O O O Y C Y C O Y C Y C Y C Y C Y C A R A R YA RC A R A R A R A R A R I L O L FO L O L FO F L FO L O L O P L O N AIR F S AIR AIR F T I AIR R AIR S AIR F AIR F E AIR F S P T I N E A A O U R U O E E R F R N T C S S M N MN C H RT S E UT DE G EC U TU PI SI O AM IBUS PRIN EREW ARD IUS PRIMU URUM VI AS NON FL LI EXERCI AM ET PAS CTEM VOL Order of Ceremony
UADRO UAD RO SQ N SQ N Throughout the parade, when a Colour or Standard is marched on, or passes directly in front of 42 42 spectators, or whenever the National Anthem is played, all civilian guests are requested 55 55 R R O E O E Y C Y C A R A R L A FO to stand and remove any headdress, and military personnel in uniform are to stand and salute. L AIR FO IR N IT F IL C OR RE N FA TITER IN Please follow the actions of RAF staff and ushers amongst the Grandstands OS TREME as a guide to when you should carry out these actions.
UADR O UADRO SQ N Q N Parade begins at 1100 S
43 43 56 56
Mass Band and Support Squadrons march onto Parade Ground R
O E R C O E Y R Y C AL O (Music: Blue Devils by Williams) A OR A F Q L F IR U AIR T I A GL IS D S RU ORIA FIN I COELUM Standard Parties march on (Music: Point of War (Anon) and RAF March by Davies/Dyson)