Regimental Colour 1882-1898

This contemporary artist’s impression purports to show the Regimental Colour that the 19th Regiment was required to carry from 1881 when the facings were ordered to change to white. There is no evidence that the Colour was produced, let alone carried. The Green Howards were proud of their green facings and only changed the dress uniforms with great reluctance. The authorities probably turned a blind eye to the 19th continuing to use their pre-1881 green Colour. For white faced regiments this pattern of Colour was carried by their ensigns, the flag of St George with a small Union flag in the canton. As we have no image, coloured or otherwise, of the Green Howards Colour at this time, it does tell us something about what the actual Colour looked like. The size of the Colour, as from 1868, was to be 3’9” flying and 3’ deep. The spearhead top was changed to a Royal Crest, larger than shown here. The fringe around the edge was gold and white for the Regimental Colour and gold and silver for the Queen’s Colour. This illustration shows four battle honours. MALPLAQUET had been awarded on 13 Mar 1882, so this illustration dates after that. One of the stipulations of the 1881 Regulations was that the small Union flag in the corner be discontinued, and the battle honours should be borne on both battalion Colours, and arranged on a circular laurel wreath. Because this illustration is flawed on that score it may not be reliable for any other information. But the central device must have been copied from a previous Colour and suggests that the rose and simple YORKSHIRE on the circle were an established pattern.

Regimental Details | Colours