THE COLOURS OF
THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT

The Colours embody the history, spirit and loyalty of the Regiment and the battalion to which they belong.  They are highly valued, carefully guarded and treated with great respect.

The custom of carrying Colours has its origin in ancient and medieval times when during battle, warring factions carried flags or banners of bright distinguishing colours to show the position of commanders and to serve as rallying points.

Left (Above) - Queen's Colour of the Eighth Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Left (Below) - Regimental Colour of the Eighth Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Since 1751, [British] regiments have been allowed two colours only for each battalion, the Queen's (or King's) Colour and the Regimental Colour.  The Queen's Colour was basically the Union Jack and the Royal Crown and Regimental Title superimposed at the centre until 1970 when the Australian flag took the place of the Union Jack.  The Regimental colour is royal blue (as it is for all 'Royal' regiments) with a Regimental Device at the centre.  This device is not a duplication of the Regimental Badge, but it is similar.  On each side of the device are the major battle honours of the Regiment; the battalion number in roman numerals is shown in roman numerals in the upper hoist canton.  The Queen's Colour serves as a constant reminder to all members of the battalion of their duty to their Sovereign and their Country, the Regimental Colour, their loyalty to the Regiment and their comrades.

QUEENS AND REGIMENTAL COLOURS PRESENTED TO THE BATTALIONS

Unit Date Place By Whom
1 RAR 30 March 1957 Brisbane The Governor-General, Field Marshal Sir William Slim, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC, KstJ
1 RAR 5 July 1976 Townsville The Governor-General, The Honourable Sir John Kerr, AK, GCMG, KstJ, QC
1 RAR 12 May 1988 Townsville The Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ
2 RAR 2 September 1955 Brisbane The Governor-General, Field Marshal Sir William Slim, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC, KstJ
2 RAR 17 September 1976 Townsville The Governor-General, The Honourable Sir John Kerr, AK, GCMG, KstJ, QC
3 RAR 24 April 1966 Sydney The Governor-General, Field Marshal Sir William Slim, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC, KstJ
3 RAR 24 April 1985 Sydney The Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ
4 RAR 11 April 1965 Adelaide The Governor-General, The Right Honourable Viscount De Lisle, VC, GCMG, GCVO
4 RAR 11 October 1984 Townsville The Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ
5 RAR 29 October 1967 Holsworthy The Governor-General, Sir Roden Cutler, VC, KCMG, CBE
6 RAR 10 May 1968 Townsville The Governor-General, The Right Honourable Lord Casey, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC
7 RAR 6 October 1968 Holsworthy The Governor-General, Sir Roden Cutler, VC, KCMG, CBE
8 RAR 25 September 1968 Terendak,
Malaysia 		The Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir Reginald Pollard, KBE, CB, DSO
8 RAR 30 October 1989 Enoggera The Governor-General, The Honourable Bill Hayden, AC
9 RAR 29 April 1971 Enoggera The Governor-General, The Right Honourable Sir Paul Hasluck, GCMG, GCVO
9 RAR 30 October 1989 Enoggera The Governor-General, The Honourable Bill Hayden, AC

DUTY FIRST