Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 896

2/4TH BATT. ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT.

PRESENTATION OF THE KING'€™S COLOUR.

Writing to the "Reading Standard", an officer of the 2/4th Batt. Royal Berks Regiment said: -€”

Were a regular soldier of many years standing to be asked what day he would consider the red letter one in the history of his battalion, and provided that the rarity of the event did not preclude a recollection of that particular ceremony, he would certainly reply "Colour Day".
€
Did we of the New Armies fully realise on the parade on Monday, 6th January, 1919, when the King'™s Colour was presented to the 2/4th Batt. of the Royal Berkshire Regiment by the General Officer Commanding the 61st Division, Major-General F. J. Duncan, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., in the presence of Brigadier-General A. F. A. M. Thorn, D.S.O., and Staff, at Fransu, that we were taking part in a ceremony which would probably not be repeated in the period of our connection with the Regiment, excepting in the event, fervently to be desired, of the presentation of a Regimental Colour? Some civilians were also present, including Madame de Fransu and her daughters, and to the onlookers the spectacle must have been an imposing one.

A full parade of the Battalion under the command of Major A. G. Cameron, in the absence of Lieut.Colonel C. R. C. Boyle, D.S.O., greeted the G.O.C. Division on his appearance, and one could not fail to be impressed by the scene - a vast stretch of the greenest turf marked out with regimental flags, with the wide valley stretching to the rear of the Battalion drawn up in line - ”a glorious one, the bayonets flashing in the sunlight giving a finished effect to the whole. Fortunately the weather favoured us, and the sun appeared to realise the importance of the event, and bathed the earth in light. The Colour Party paraded in the centre of the Battalion and included the usual escort of two sergeants.

After a hollow square had been formed by the Battalion, drums were piled in the centre, and the King'€™s Colour, now in the custody of the Second-in-Command, Captain H. W. Jewell, M.C., and the senior Lieutenant, Lieutenant and Quartermaster W. Morris, was placed on the drums after having been uncovered by these officers. The King'™s Colour was now consecrated by the Senior Chaplain of the Division, Rev. J. G. Fenn, M.C., assisted by Rev. W. L. Arrowsmith, M.C., the troops making the responses.

Major-General Duncan then handed the King's Colour to the Senior Lieutenant, and afterwards made the customary address, in which he emphasised the solemn nature of the occasion and referred to the brilliant record of the Royal Berkshire Regt. He stated that the Colour seemed to him to embody the spirits of all those who had been members of the Second-Fourth Battalion and who had gloriously given their lives in order that the honour of the Battalion be maintained. He was sure that those at present forming the unit would accept the legacy in the most solemn manner and do nothing to tarnish a most honourable record, but rather do their utmost to enhance this.

Major A. G. Cameron then made a short reply, afterwards calling for three cheers for Major-General Duncan, to which the men, placing their caps upon their bayonets, responded heartily.

While the Senior Lieutenant was carrying the King's Colour to its place to the Battalion in line the band played the National Anthem, and the Battalion came to the "Present".
€
The conclusion of this attractive parade came with the march past the G.O.C. Division, first by companies and later as a battalion, after which Major-General Duncan spontaneously congratulated the men of the Battalion upon their soldierly bearing.

After the departure of the G.O.C. 61st Division, the 2/4th Batt. Royal Berks Regt. marched to the entrance of the Headquarters Mess, at The Chateau, Fransu, and gave the customary salute while the King'€™s Colour, still borne by Lieut. Morris, and properly escorted, was deposited in the Officers' Mess.

Company Commanders on parade were Captain Whitfield, M.C., Captain Schroder, Captain Cox and Lieutenant Yarworth.

Just one particular appears to have been overlooked in connection with the Colour itself, i.e., it has not yet been inscribed with the number of the Battalion, which certainly would seem to be necessary in view of its possible deposit in some public place - €”say St. Mary's Church, Reading - €”in company of colours belonging to the several battalions of the Royal Berkshire Regiment which have seen active service.

[photo, portrait] Pte. H. POCOCK, in France. He served with the 2nd Battalion throughout the South African war, later he was employed at Bradfield College.

[photo, portrait] The late Lce.-Corpl. H. G. TREVERS, 24, Cardigan Road, Reading. - €Died of pneumonia in France.

[photo, portrait] Pte. W. S. BRIND, 137, Elgar Road, Reading. -€” Wounded.

[photo, portrait] C.Q.M.S. HORACE L O R D , 79, Donnington Road, Reading. -€” Gassed.

[photo, portrait] Pte. E. KENT, of 176, Southampton St., Reading. -€” Wounded and missing.

[photo, portrait] The late Pte. A. G. MILLARD, Ashridge Farm, Wokingham. -€” Died of wounds. Aged 20.