Forty years ago to the day in Bandiana, Victoria, a crimson silk banner with gold fringe drew the eyes of about 5000 spectators as His Royal Highness Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh presented it to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME).

Among those eyes were that of Melbourne artist and World War II veteran Vernon Jones, painting the scene in colourful brush strokes that captured more of the reverence, pride and excitement than even photos could.

Finally, the sterling silver corps centrepiece – worth a small home deposit at the time – stood shining in the officers’ mess, awaiting dignitaries to attend the formal dinner that evening.

Fast forward to May 20, 2026, as these artefacts came together for the RAEME banner parade, telling a story that stretches from medieval battlefields to modern-day Australia and tangibly links our soldiers to their predecessors.

Deputy Head of Corps Colonel Hans Hamilton said it was a way to acknowledge the corps' past, present and future, while celebrating the banner. 

“The banner is 40 years old, while RAEME is in its 80s, so it really represents the modern half of the corps’ service to the Australian Army,” he said.

As the ceremonial centre of the parade, the banner carries a lineage far older than the corps itself. 

Long before modern warfare, banners were essential tools of survival on chaotic battlefields of the medieval era.

Knights encased in armour were indistinguishable from one another, prompting the use of banners and crests as visual identifiers and rallying points. When raised high, these banners signalled where troops could regroup, defend and push forward together.  

Today, the RAEME banner is not carried into combat, but its significance remains undiminished. It symbolises unity, identity and shared purpose – what soldiers call esprit de corps.

'The banner is 40 years old, while RAEME is in its 80s, so it really represents the modern half of the corps’ service to the Australian Army.'

Mounted on an ash wood pike topped with a royal crest, the banner is treated with near-sacred reverence. It must never be touched with bare hands, is constantly guarded when on display and commands salutes from all in uniform as it passes. 

Such traditions might seem antiquated to the average person, but they serve a modern purpose: to remind every soldier they are part of something enduring.

If the banner connects RAEME to medieval battlefields, the corps centrepiece, affectionately known as 'Harry', demonstrates how tradition continues to evolve.

Presented in 1982, the centrepiece is a work of art – a sterling silver representation of the corps badge mounted on a wooden plinth, with panels depicting the corps’ history and achievements. 

It was designed not for the parade ground but for the mess, appearing at dinners, ceremonies and key gatherings. While it may lack the battlefield origins of the banner, its purpose is closely aligned – to anchor moments of shared identity. 

For the soldiers who gather around it, 'Harry' is more than polished silver. It’s a focal point for stories, achievements and remembrance, reminding them their work continues a long and distinguished lineage.

Completing the trio of artefacts is the corps portrait – a large-scale painting depicting the original 1986 banner parade.

“What better way to bring it all together than [with] an oil painting?” Colonel Hamilton said.

“We acknowledge the great work by Vernon Jones to bring in the unique elements of the parade, such as the iconic hills around North and South Bandiana and the parade ground itself. It was no small feat. The painting has become one of the most significant of all the RAEME artefacts.”

On their own, each artefact is impressive. Together, the artefacts capture RAEME’s enduring identity, linking tradition with modern service. The 2026 banner parade at Gaza Ridge was not just an act of remembrance, but a reaffirmation of a legacy still marching on.