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Photograph of King's Colour - 86th Infantry (Western Australian Rifles) 1914 Presentation

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Subcollections

Honourable Insignia - Regimental Colours, Guidons, and Royal Banners

Overview

Photograph of the King's Colour, 86th Infantry Western Australian Rifles, commissioned by Sir Gerald Strickland, Honorary Colonel. In 1914 Strickland was Governor of New South Wales but had been Governor of Western Australia from May 1909 to March 1913. The outbreak of World War 1 resulted in a decision not to fomally present the Colour "until our lads return".

Historical information

Between 1885 and 1914 the former Fremantle Rifle Volunteers transitioned through several structural and name changes. In May 1885 they expanded to two companies which in the mid-1890s were grouped with volunteer companies from Perth and Guildford to from the 1st Infantry Regiment. In September 1900, metro and regional units became part of a 5 battalion brigade with Fremantle being designated 2 battalion. As part of the Commonwealth military restructure on Federation, the Fremantle infantry became part of 11 Australian Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment). Under the Universal Training Scheme various elements were designated 86th Infantry within the new Citizens Forces with companies in fremantle, Leederville, Subiaco, Claremont-Cottesloe, Bunbury-Greenbushes-Bridgetown and Collie. Granted a territorial title in 1913, it became the 86th Infantry (Western Australian Rifles).

A formal presentation of the Colours never did take place as in a 1920 reorganisation, the areas of Fremantle, Claremont and Cottesloe became part of the 16th Infantry to perpetuate 16 Battalion AIF. A further change in 1921 saw the creation of 44th Infantry to perpetuate 44 Battalion AIF. This unit had headquarters in Fremantle and companies in Fremantle, Claremont and Subiaco. The 44th Infantry subsequently was awarded the territorial designation "Western Australian Rifles" and received an appropriate stand of colours.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-53-241

Inscriptions and markings

A contemporary description records: "The flag exhibits the King's colors and the union jack is carried out in the richest faille silk with heavy bullion fringe, In the centre of the jack is the number 86 in six-inch letters in bullion. A handsome crown completes a magnificent colour scheme ...".

Contextual Information

The 86 Battalion King's Colour commissioned by Governor Strickland was obviously not required and so was laid up in St John's Church Fremantle on 14 September 1926. The service was conducted by Archbishop Riley with Governor Sir William Campion in attendance.

Links to additional resources

Colour - Fremantle Rifle Volunteers

King's Colour - 44 Battalion CMF

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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