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The
Royal British Legion Standards |
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History
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The Royal British Legion Standard, original
designed in 1922 by Colonel E C Heath, the first General
Secretary of the British Legion. It made it's first
appearance in June that year at the Crystal Palace
Sports Day.
It was first paraded as the National
Standard at the Annual Conference Cenotaph Service in
1924, on Whit Sunday. By the end of 1928, one in every
three branches had their own Standards.
This 1929 photograph below is of HRH the Prince of Wales
presenting the Kent British Legion with their first County Standard
as a special ceremony in Mote
Park, Maidstone Kent.
The Standards should be looked upon as the
rallying point of the branch, and as a constant symbolic
reminder of the Legions' motto "Service not Self".
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General Description
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Its colours are blue and
gold. In the Dexter (upper left for the observer) corner
is the Union Flag, which is composed of the crosses of
St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick, symbolising
unity, chivalry and our loyalty to our Sovereign,
community and nation. The fact that Standards are
dedicated before being taken into use, and after service
are laid up in sacred or public buildings, helps to
maintain the atmosphere of veneration with which they
are regarded. The blue indicates loyalty and fidelity
and the gold signifies service - "as gold is tried by
fire" - and reminds us of all those who gave their lives
for our country. |
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