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The Royal British
Legion Standards - What It Means |
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| | Meaning Of The Standard
(as taken from the County
Handbook)
It begins with a declaration to be made immediately
after a standard has been dedicated as follows:
I would remind you that these Standards are no mere
flags of Silk or bunting, but rather are sacred emblems
which have been solemnly dedicated in ample form.
Beneath their folds all poor and distressed
brothers-in-arms may seek solace and relief from their
afflictions.
Our Standards are all of like design as emblems of
brotherhood and equality.
Many of these Standards have lain in the sacred dust of
the Battlefields of the Empire.
So remembering these things and the high ideals for
which they stand disgrace them not.
Then comes this explanation of the emblematic
significance of Legion Standards.
Your Standards represent the ideal of Service to GOD,
QUEEN and COUNTRY.
The Spirehead should remind us of the pillar of flames,
or the finger pointing to Heaven, which is generally
depicted in our churches by their spires. |
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| | The Union Flag bears the crosses of St. George. St.
Andrew and St. Patrick.
ST. GEORGE is the Patron Saint of Fighting Men.
ST. ANDREW was a Disciple of Christ.
ST. PATRICK was the first Christian Missionary to this
Country'.
Beneath these Crosses all the great epics of Chivalry in
our history have been achieved. Added to these Crosses
are the Blue and Old Gold of The Royal British Legion.
The BLUE is to remind us of the gallant souls who have
passed on beneath the deep water and in the air.
The GOLD represents those shining warriors who
sanctified by service, have passed unsullied to the
Throne of Grace.
The tassels remind us of the beginning and ending of
life, and the Cord, the golden line along which all good
Legionnaires should pass during the brief sojourn on
earth. The Golden fringe or frame binds us all together
in one great Brotherhood.
Thus you have represented on your Standards your Service
to God your Queen and your Country.
I exhort you therefore, to remember that your Standards
are sacred Emblems. Keep them clean and cared for, as a
sign that you appreciate the meaning of this Charge.
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Notes:
Major John Bamford MBE., County Vice-President,
President of
Stoke-On-Trent Group 2, and
Meir, Longton & District Branch who is also
one of our many content contributors. Has given
permission for his "induction to new members" talk to be
republished on this page:
"THE STANDARD
Years ago, when the army was fighting, wherever the
fighting was thickest the colours were flown and they
became a rallying point for all the men were supposed to
rally round their own regimental colours, the trouble
was, the men didn't know which colour was theirs.
That's why every year to this day the colours are
trooped up and down the ranks to be sure that everyone
knows their colours. Each regiment has different
colours. These colours are always carried by the junior
officer of the regiment with an armed escort.
In the legion all colours are the same, branch, group,
county, area and national the only difference is the
name of the branch etc.
The standard bearer is the most important man on parade
and so his turn' out should always be first class. A lot
of thought went into the design of this standard.:- the
pole; - is like a pillar of flame, the spire on top is
the same as on our churches showing our belief in god,
in the top corner is our national flag, on this flag are
three crosses - the cross of St. George the patron of
all fighting men „ the cross of St. Andrew a disciple of
god, the cross of St Patrick who was the first
missionary to come to this country.
There are two tassels representing the beginning and end
of life —these are connected by a cord representing our
sojourn through life on this earth' the colour blue
represents all those who gave their lives in the air, on
the sea and beneath the sea. The gold colour represents
all those gallant soldiers who gave their lives so that
we could be free. The fringe or frame represents all
those legion members who are bound together in one great
brotherhood." |
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