Colours laid to rest
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Capt Roger Phillips

Out with the old: Colour Party members prepare to parade 51FNQR’s old Colours through the streets of Thursday Island.

In with the new: 51FNQR’s new Colours. Photos by Sgt Katrina Johnson

51FNQR laid to rest its old Colours with full pomp and ceremony at the Quetta Memorial Church on Thursday Island on November 4.

Soldiers from all ranks of the regiment came from Cairns, Mt Isa, the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula to march proudly with the old Colours for the last time, down the streets of Thursday Island, to the historic Quetta Memorial Church.

In the presence of Land Commander Maj-Gen Mark Kelly, former COs of the battalion and a host of dignitaries, the old Colours were taken into the safe custody of the Church by the Bishop of the Torres Strait Region, Bishop Saibo Mabo.

These Colours had been carried proudly since 1987. The new Colours were consecrated and presented to the regiment by local clergy and Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce in October 2005.

CO 51FNQR Lt-Col Paddy Evans said when the decision had been made to replace the Colours, the unit immediately started to plan where they would be laid up.

“We were mindful of the fact that the previous Colours were laid up in Saint Monica’s Cathedral in Cairns, and we were also aware of our recent history as a Regional Force Surveillance Unit, remembering that Charlie Company based on Thursday Island, was the first Surveillance Company outside of Cairns after the battalion was raised,” he said.

“Choosing to lay up our Colours on Thursday Island is also a natural reflection of the role our indigenous soldiers play in the make up of our unit.

“I think it is truly fitting that these sacred symbols of our regiment lie in church at the very tip of our Area of Responsibility, looking north across Australia’s borders.”

The Colours of 51FNQR carry a long and distinguished battle history, which began with the Boer War, followed on with the bloody battles of the Western Front in World War I and the Battle of Porton on Bougainville in 1945.”

.