1952 Colours Presentation to the Units of 3 Cdo Bde

On the 29th of November 1952 a ceremony was held on the Floriana parade ground, just outside the walls of the Maltese capital, Valletta, for a Colours Presentation to 40 Cdo 42 Cdo and 45 Cdo.

This was the presentation of both The Queen’s Colours and The Regimental Colours to 40 42 and 45 Commandos by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The presentation was in recognition of their services during WWII and this Presentation of Colours was the largest ceremonial parade that the Corps had put on since before World War Two

40 Commando being the senior unit was on the right of the parade ground, as they faced the saluting base, 42 Commando were in the middle and 45 Commando on the left.

Behind the three Commando Units was the Massed Bands. These comprised not only of the Brigade Band, but were supplemented by the Bands from HMS Glasgow, HMS Ocean and HMS Tyne.

All Units were paraded in their 'Blues' (dress uniforms) along with White Pith Helmets, White gloves and White webbing belts. The only Coveted Green Berets to be seen on the day were those of the Bagpipers belonging to 42 Commando. They had been presented with their Bagpipes by the Planters from Ipoh, which was the area in Malaya, where 42 Commando had recently been fighting the Communists.

Huge crowds watched the ceremony which was a major event, not only for the Corps, but also for the population of Malta, who still after more than 150 years of British rule remained very pro-British.

The Corps adjusted a few of the ceremony's traditions in deference to Malta's Roman Catholic beliefs. They dropped the traditional Drumhead Ceremony in which a Naval Chaplain blesses the Colours on an altar of piled drums. Instead, the Chaplain consecrated the Colours on the altar of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Maltas capital Valletta. They then cased the Colours and brought them to Floriana Parade for the Presentation Ceremony.

Prince Philip inspected the Commandos whilst the bands played suitable inspection music. The Massed Bands then trooped in slow and quick time. 3 Commando Brigade then formed a hollow square for the Presentations with the Colours Officers standing in the centre.

His Royal Highness then took the three Queen's Colours and the three Regimental Colours in turn and presented each of them to one of the six officers who were half-kneeling on cushions called 'hassocks'.

Following a speech by HRH and a response from the Brigade Commander, the Brigade reformed in preparation for the march past. Finally, after reforming in line, the Commandos advanced in review order, gave a Royal Salute and three cheers for His Royal Highness.

The march past by 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines

Page 2 Colours Presentation

This Article and Photographs is based on information received from Ted Sparrow ex 40 Cdo RM