Virtual Visit #72 - Artillery Colours

The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery has a distinctive definition of Colours . The traditional rallying point for Gunners has always been the guns. Up until the end of the 19th century, guns were deployed in the open, in full view of the enemy, and the detachments were instilled with the tradition of serving their guns under fire and to abandon them was, and still is, the ultimate disgrace. Initially the largest piece in an artillery train carried the equivalent of today's Queen's Colour and it was known as the 'Colour' or 'Flag Gun'. In the latter part of the eighteenth century this practice ceased and the guns themselves became the Colours. Today the guns, on parade, be they a Regiment's worth (18 guns), a Battery (6 guns), constitute the Colours. All the guns are paid the correct compliments and respect, not just the first gun of the group