1891: The Loss of the Regimental Colours

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

1^st 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.