Many interesting colours do not permit of classification in any of the foregoing groups and must be described in the present chapter. The order of Army sequence cannot, of course, be preserved in their case.

The Honourable Artillery Company, which figures in the Army List directly after the Royal Garrison Artillery and immediately before the Royal Artillery (Territorial Force), is probably one of the most interesting units of the Army. It was first formed “about the year 1807, in the reign of William II., as a society of armed citizens for the protection of the goods of merchants, which were frequently commandeered by persons who had no respect for the property of others. The date of the incorporation of the Company is, however, 1537, when a Royal Charter was granted by Henry VIII., under the title of the Guild of Fraternity of St. George. This Charter gave power to the members to elect others to serve in the ranks, and to appoint masters or officers; to use a common seal; to make laws for the rule of the Fraternity; granted license to use and shoot with longbows, cross-bows, and hand-guns throughout the realm, including Calais; gave power to license all guilds of a like nature throughout the Kingdom; and ordained that the masters or rulers should be exempt from being empanelled on any quest or jury throughout the realm.”^[22] The regimental colour of the H.A.C. is shown in Fig. 39, and, it is interesting to add, two retired flags may be seen in St. Botolph Church, Bishopsgate.

The Royal Marine Light Infantry has a very fine blue regimental colour. The Globe forms the central badge, and this is surrounded by a green laurel wreath with the imperial crown above. Placed between the crown and the Globe is an anchor ornamented with the Royal Cypher. In the dexter canton is a small Union flag, whilst the Royal Cypher figures in the remaining three. The motto, “Per Mare, Per Terram,” which testifies to the world-wide influence of this fighting force, and the battle honour, “Gibraltar,” figure on two golden scrolls. The honour is also inscribed on the King’s colour. (Fig. 45).

The Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey has an artillery section and three battalions of light infantry. The latter have colours, the 1st and 3rd battalions of which are identical except for the necessary difference of wording. In both cases the material is blue and the central badge consists of the three lions of England. The union wreath and the imperial crown appear as on the home infantry colours. The battle honour, “Jersey, 1781,” refers to the French attack organised by Baron de Rullecour, and successfully met by this regiment under the command of Major Pierson. A small Union flag is shown in the dexter canton.

The colour of the second battalion varies but slightly from the others. The badge is a shield and not circular, a horn with the figure “2” is placed above the badge, and the union wreath is not of the standard pattern. The King’s colours in each case follow the usual type.

The Royal Militia of Guernsey possesses an artillery unit and two battalions of light infantry. Each of these latter has a blue regimental colour, bearing the three lions of England, with a sprig above, for the central badge and a laurel instead of the union wreath. There is no union flag on the regimental colour but the King’s colour reveals it according to rule. (Fig. 46).

Royal Military College, Sandhurst.—This school possesses a King’s colour of the usual infantry type and a blue colour of the regimental type. The central badge of both is the Royal Cypher. The latter reveals it surrounded by the union wreath and surmounted by the imperial crown. The Motto “Vires acquirit eundo,” appear on a gilt scroll. (Fig. 48).

In all the above cases, the lion and crown surmount the pole, and fringe, tassels, and cords follow the type used for the regular infantry.