The Colour Ensign parades the new Regimental Colour for 31RQR during the presentation parade in Townsville Photo by Cpl Jason Weeding, 1JPAU(P)

31RQR’s new colours paraded

By Cpl Belinda Mepham
North Queensland Reporter
31RQR’s distinguished history has been recognised with the presentation of a new Queen’s and Regimental colours.

In a ceremony in the Strand park in Townsville on March 6, the north Queensland-based GRes infantry regiment was presented the new Queens and Regimental Colours, a symbol of the unit’s pride in its 20 battle honours awarded for acts of gallantry and heroism.

CO 31RQR Lt-Col Mick Reilly said it was a rare honour to receive new colours.

“The significance of this event is reflected in the camaraderie of the regiment this week. It is not often the whole regiment can be in the same place at the same time.

“The support and fellowship of the Townsville community has been second to none and we are thrilled to share these battle honours on parade with them,” he said.

The new Colours, presented by Queensland Governor Maj-Gen Peter Arnison, replace those presented to 31RQR in 1968.

The new Queen’s Colours bear the battle honours for the defence of Tobruk, Merjayun, Cape Endaiadere-Sinemi Creek, Tsimba Ridge, Miline Bay, Borneo, Syria 1941, Kakoda Trail, the Liberation of Australia New Guinea and Balikpapan.

The Regimental Colours bear the conflicts of South Africa, Bullecourt, Menin Road, Passchendale, Amiens, Landing at Anzac, Pozieres, Ypres 1917, Polygonwood, Ancres 1918 and Hibenburline.

Also known as the Kennedy Regiment, 31RQR’s history can be traced back to 1881 as the Volunteer Independent Rifle Companies in Townsville, Charters Towers and Ravenswood.

The unit has changed names several time since then but has always been based in north Queensland.

Lt-Col Reilly said the ceremony to present new colours is a time- consuming exercise.

“We managed to complete the ceremony in a little under two hours, we could not have done this so well without the fantastic support from the Padres and 1RAR Band.”

The week before the parade, 31RQR grouped in Townsville for a military-skills competition and urban training at the MOUT facility in the HRTA.

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