Historic 'Layering Up' of Korbr Colours
Historic ceremony to take place in Lancaster.
North Lancashire and Cumbrian soldiers, past and present, will take part in an historic ceremony in Lancaster on Saturday 18 April 2009 as the Regimental Colours of 4th Battalion The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment are ‘layed up’ for the final time.
Colours have traditionally formed the focus and the rallying point of an Army regiment on the field of battle. While no longer taken on operations, they remain the symbol of a regiment’s identity. Laying up the Colours follows the disbandment of the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment, which amalgamated with two neighbouring infantry regiments in 2006 to form The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border).
New Colours were presented to The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in June 2008 by Her Majesty The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief, who is the Duke of Lancaster.
On 18 April 2009, at 2pm, a Drumhead Service will take place at the cenotaph beside Lancaster Town Hall. A Guard of soldiers from C Company 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and a Colour Party of soldiers, proudly given the honour of carrying and escorting the 4 KORBR Colours for the final time, will then march with the Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment around the town hall. The soldiers will be joined on parade here by former soldiers of the regiment. The Colour Party will then slow march up the town hall steps before the Colours are formally handed to the Mayor of the City of Lancaster, Councillor Keith Budden. In the short term, the Colours will be kept in the mayor’s parlour for safe keeping, with the longer term intention being to transfer them to The Priory Church in Lancaster, which is the Regimental Chapel.
Following the formal proceedings, a reception for serving and former personnel, their families and invited guests is to be held at the TA centre in Caton Road, Lancaster. This is a ticket only reception – please ring 01228 521275 to register for tickets.
Lieutenant Colonel Ray Hughes, Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, said: “The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment has a heritage dating back over 300 years and our soldiers are immensely proud to follow in the footsteps of our illustrious forebears, including 4 KORBR. It will be a poignant day in Lancaster on 18th April; it presents an opportunity to honour the service and support given to the regiment by the people of north Lancashire and Cumbria for many years.”
The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Keith Budden, said: "The city of Lancaster is proud of its relationship with the armed forces and I’m honoured that we have been entrusted with the old regimental colours. We will take good care of them until they can be transferred to the regimental chapel at Lancaster Priory."
Date Published: 14/04/09