The Ensign within the Regiment primary responsibility was to literally guard with his life the Colour he carried. It is no co-incidence that many of the stories of self sacrifice and exemplary courage under fire relate to the protection of the Regiments colours.  

They were passed on amongst the subalterns by reverse seniority as death, wounds or tiredness overcame their original bearers.

When sergeant William Lawrence  of the 40^th regiment was ordered to the Colours late in the afternoon at Waterloo he knew it was tantamount to a death sentence “

 This…..was a job I did not like at all; but still I went to work as boldy as I could . There had been before me that day fourteen sergeants already killed and wounded while in charge of these colours, with officers in proportion and the staff and colours were almost cut in pieces”

Today, even in re-enactment terms, these are the regiment’s most treasured possessions and can never be taken from us either in battle or on any other occasion. We are all charged with the responsibility of ensuring their security at all times.