Submitted by Sharon on
The West India Regiment raised in 1795 disbanded in 1927, had their Regimental Standard shipped back to England and presented to King George V. It now forms part of the Royal Collection Trust.
The West India Regiment was reformed in 1958 following the formation of the Federation of the West Indies.
A new Strand of colours incorporating all the insignias, battle honours, traditions and history of previous West India Regiments were commissioned.
However following the collapse of the Federation in 1962, a decision was made to disband the Regiment for the second time, and as such new colours were never presented to the Regiment.
Some of the Soldiers transferred to Jamaica service to form the 1st Battalion of the Jamaica Regiment. Other serving soldiers who were not Jamaicans or Trinidaduans were given the option to join the British Army, Jamaica Regiment or Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force.
In correlation with the Royal Garter and JW Plant (The Flag Company) we have now produced the Standard of the Queen Elizabeth II West India Regiment of 1958 as originally designed, in silk, framed with a Red and Gold fringe.
The Standard formed part of the line-up at the 2012 Annual Memorial Service of the National Service Veterans Association at St Thomas' Peace Garden in Birmingham.
As both Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago celebrate 50 years of Independence, and the Queen - Colonel in Chief of the Jamaican Regiment, celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, the Standard represents much more than the 132 years loyal service it was designed to display.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
WE Will Remember Them
All of Them
image curtesy of www.robertcjones.co.uk
- Sharon's blog
- 8209 reads