“Tradition does not die in the ashes but is carried forward in the flames”
Royal Auxiliary Air Force Foundation
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester
THE SOVEREIGN’S COLOUR
The origin of military Colours dates from the Middle Ages when each Lord or Baron had his own banner bearing his coat of arms and which was carried at the head of his personal army. In Elizabethan times, many infantry captains came from humbler families without personal coats of arms and adopted flags of distinctive coloured patterns which became known as “The Colours”. Regimental Colours came into use during the Civil War and were carried on active service until 1881.
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force was the first United Kingdom reserve formation to be awarded a Colour. Following established precedent, it is made of hand embroidered RAF blue silk, is three feet and nine inches square and is carried on a pike eight feet and six inches long, surmounted by a gilded crown to which are attached 2 light blue 30 inch tassels. It is carried in a belt of blue-
Having been paraded on ???? Occasions over its 23 year history, the first Sovereign’s Colour was laid up on 28 October 2012 in St Clement Danes Church at a Service organised by the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Foundation and linked to the Consecration of the Roll of Honour .
Cover commemorating the presentation of the Colour; Signed by 3 Honorary Air Commodores and flown in Queen’ s Flight BAE 146
A replacement Colour was presented by The Queen at Royal Air Force Marham in July 2010. At the same time, Her Majesty presented inaugural standards to 2620 and 2623 Squadrons. To commemorate the occasion and capture the moment that the Colour was presented, the Honorary Inspector-
The current custodian of the new Colour is 600 (City of London) Squadron.
From a painting commissioned by Lord Beaverbrook; Artist: Stuart Brown
The Queen presenting The New Sovereign’s Colour at Royal Air Force Marham in 2010