This is an interesting piece from an old book, “Historical
Records of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment” By Raymond Henry Raymond
Smythies.
1891: The Loss of the Regimental Colours
1st Battalion of the Prince of Wales Volunteers,
South Lancashire Regiment
A most unfortunate occurrence took place at Fort Regent
during the afternoon of 19th January 1891, through which the battalion suffered
the irreparable loss of its "Old 40th” colours. The circumstances were as
follows
At about 5.45 one of the officers, who was alone in the ante-room,
accidentally upset a lamp which was filled with mineral oil. The glass
receptacle broke, and immediately the oil, which ignited and flamed up, spread
over the floor. Almost before it was possible to recognise the danger, the room
was in a blaze. One thing after another caught tire, and all efforts to
suppress the flames proved unavailing.
The fire alarm was sounded and the fire engine in charge of
the battalion was quickly on the spot; buckets were also used, and everything
that could be reached through the flames and smoke removed from the room.
The behaviour of the non-commissioned officers and men
deserved all praise. There was no confusion or panic, and gallant efforts were
made to rescue the regimental relics, especially the colours; but these latter,
being at the farthest end of the room, were utterly unapproachable.
The drum captured at the battle of Maharajpore was also
burned, only the shell remaining; whilst the pictures of the Queen and Prince
and Princess of Wales were totally destroyed, together with two miniatures of
former officers and several presents. The silver-mounted drum-major's stall,
taken from the French just before the battle of Salamanca, was fortunately
saved, as also was the valuable collection of old war medals.
A handsome album, presented by Captain J. S. Walker, containing photographs of many
officers of the regiment, past and present, was badly damaged, but happily,
owing to the thickness of the cover, most of the photographs remained
uninjured.
An interesting picture of the old uniforms of the regiment,
presented by Captain L. C. Arbuthnot, was also rescued, although the frame was scorched
all round and the glass cracked.
Adjoining the ante-room, and only separated from it by a
wooden door, was the officers’ mess-room, which contained a quantity of plate
and other articles of considerable value. This at one time seemed in imminent danger,
and a tongue of flame did actually penetrate into it and set fire to the
hangings; but, being luckily noticed by one of the men. It was instantly
extinguished with a pail of water, and the room saved.
After the fire, every effort was made to replace and repair
those things which had been lost or damaged, and this was in most cases
successfully accomplished. The shell of the Maharajpore drum was refitted, the
pictures replaced, the miniatures reproduced from photographs, and the album
rebound; but the only things which could not be replaced or repaired were the
old colours.
A few fragments which had dropped off before the fire were
carefully preserved and framed; but new colours were a necessity, and were
accordingly asked for.
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was approached, in the hope that
he might be able to present these new colours to the regiment, but-owing to his
many engagements—His Royal Highness was prevented from doing so. His Excellency
Lieutenant-General C. B. Ewart, C.B., R.E., lieutenant-governor of Jersey, was
therefore invited, and consented to perform the ceremony.
This interesting event took place, in perfect summer
weather, at the “People's Park," St. Helier, on 16th July 1891.
A liberal display of hunting in the streets of the town was
the first outward sign that some unusual occurrence was about to take place. The
occasion had clearly been regarded as a holiday by all classes in town and
country, and a number of the leading business establishments in St. Helier
remained closed during the morning; the country people, too, made the occasion
an excuse for a. holiday, and came pouring into the island "metropolis" in hundreds.
From 9 am, the ground commenced filling, and every point of
vantage was quickly taken possession of, whilst beneath the trees were long
rows of carriages, and in the windows of neighbouring houses crowds of interested
spectators.
The regiment, under command of Colonel J. B. McDougal left Fort
Regent about 11 o'clock, and marching down through the crowded streets, reached
the People's Park in time to be drawn up to receive the lieutenant-governor at
11.30.
His Excellency rode on to the ground accompanied by his staff
shortly after that hour, and was received by the regiment with a royal salute.
The line was then inspected, and the ceremony began.
Owing to there being no old colours to troop, the usual
procedure on occasions of presentation could not be followed; the ceremony, therefore,
opened by the line forming three sides of a square, after which the drums were
piled in the centre and the new colours laid on them.
Major Moberly and Major Linton, the two senior majors of the
battalion, then took post on either side, and behind them the two senior
lieutenants, Lieutenant C. F. Menzies and Lieutenant W. L. Watson, with the four
senior colour-sergeants.
Colonel McDougal informed the lieutenant-governor that all
was ready, and then, still remaining mounted, took his place in rear of the
colour then, still remaining mounted, took his place in rear of the colour party.
The lieutenant-governor now rode forward, followed by the Bishop
of Guildford [The Right Reverend George Henry Sumner], the Dean of Jersey
[George Orange Balleine] and the other officiating clergy, and the religious
part of the ceremony commenced with the singing of the well-known hymn,
"Brightly gleams our banner,” in which the whole regiment joined.
[The Bishop of Winchester (Doctor Thorold) had kindly
consented to perform the ceremony, but at the last moment was prevented by
severe indisposition from doing so. The Bishop of Guildford, therefore, most
obligingly came over to Jersey, at very short notice, to take his place.]
After this the bishop read prayers, and then, addressing the
regiment, said that he should be sorry for the service to close without his having
the opportunity of saying a few words to them. Its significance could not escape
the notice of those who had entered fully into the meaning of the prayers just
offered up.
Some might wonder how a man of peace like himself, one set
apart for the service of the Most High God—the God of Peace—could consent to
consecrate Colours to lead a regiment on to war. But it was just because he was
a man of peace—and not a man of war—that he did so. They were men of peace, as
he was; they were not men of war, but if men wanted peace they must be prepared
for war.
War was often necessary in order to secure the blessings of
peace. He longed for the time when wars should cease, and when their swords
might be turned into ploughshares; but because they had not yet reached that
millennium, God forbid that they should therefore dissociate the profession of
arms from all that was holy, sacred, and true.
He looked upon many in the military profession now living as
the personification of all that was manly, high-minded, and faithful, and in
times gone by he had only to recall the names of Havelock, Lawrence.
Hedley-Vicars. Gordon, and others.
He trusted that the Colours now to be committed to their faithful
keeping would ever lead on to victory.
Let all remember that it was in the hour of victory that the
true manliness of the soldier was shown. To savage nations, victory often meant
massacre, rapine, and loot, but the true soldier, in the hour of victory,
showed moderation and true Christian character.
He felt sure they would ever show courage and bravery in the
time of danger, and would urge them, if ever called to face the foe, in the
hour of victory—for he threw no doubt on that~-to use it as Christian soldiers.
He hoped, however, it would please God to avert war, but if
it ever did come in their day, might God defend the right, and might His
blessing rest upon them both in times of difficulty and in eternity.
The Bishop then pronounced the benediction.
This concluded the consecration service. The
lieutenant-governor then invited Lieutenant-General Sir A. A. Nelson. KCB., and
Major-General Solly-Flood, CB.—the two senior officers connected with the
regiment—who were present, to stand on either side of him, and, having received
the new colours from Major: Moberly and Linton, he delivered them to
Lieutenants Menzies and Watson, by whom they were received on bended knee.
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