Seaforth Highlanders Centennial and Presentation of New Colours

[RB51]

Thanks for the clarification. When we were at our local St. Andrew's dinner on Friday night one of our table-mates was the C/O of the Rocky Mountain Rangers from here in Kamloops, and he was off to the ceremony and dinner the next night. Looks like a fabulous event.

Laurie

[xena]

This particular video shows some remarkable drill. This stuff is really hard to do! Slick performance!

Clicky here for another Youtube link.

[xman]

Very interesting...thanks for the links. I'm curious though - I'd always understood that flags/colours should never touch the ground, but noticed that they did so during one part of the ceremony. Are they allowed to do so only during certain proscribed situations, or have I misunderstood how they are to be handled?

Laurie

Yeah, that "Flag can't touch the ground" thing is primarily a preoccupation of the United States (no offense intended my friends). Although here, not being grounded is generally true, it's really part of a larger, less specific directive to not soil the flag in any way. At least that's how it was taught to me.

[xman]

This particular video shows some remarkable drill. This stuff is really hard to do! Slick performance!

Clicky here for another Youtube link.

What a great clip. Very sharp sword and flag work all 'round. tyvm

[Macman]

Great pics and flics! I wish I could have been there. Up, the Cuidich'ns! Congratulations from an ex-CanScot.

[Michael Patience]

First - thanks to all who made it out to the Presentation of Colours - it was a truly remarkable day for everybody.

I'd like to alert the forum to another photoset here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/seaforth100/

And to remind you that if you are in the Vancouver region that the Presentation of Colours has already aired once on Shaw TV, and will air again twice during the holidays:

Rebroadcasts of the Centenary on Shaw TV are scheduled for Friday Dec. 24, 1:00-3:00 PM and on New Years Day, 4:00-6:00 PM

Best regards,

[Michael Patience]

Hello! Just to let you guys know that if you are in the Vancouver vicinity Saturday April 16th - the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada are celebrating a couple of different events, and this will include a march with the Pipes and Drums up Burrard Street. The first event is the annual Freedom-of-the-City parade at City Hall between 11.00 and 11.30 am. Then follows the official 'laying-up' of the old Regimental Colours at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard Street) between 12.00 and 1.00 pm. Immediately following the laying-up the Regiment, lead by the Pipes and Drum, will march up (heading south) Burrard Street, over the Burrard Bridge and home to the Armoury, to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge. More events are planned at the Armoury! If you can come out to support the Regiment we'd be honoured to see you - and if you have any questions I am here to answer them.

[Michael Patience]

Hello again,

Just want to post some further information from our media advisory for consideration here, it provided more information about the various Seaforth Highlanders of Canada events upcoming on the 16th of April in Vancouver, BC:

Event #1: Freedom-of-the-City Parade
Significance: This parade is a tradition dating back to Roman times when military units were granted the freedom to pass through a town unopposed. Today it is a public recognition of the military’s role in protecting its citizens.
Details: The Regiment will form up on the South side of City Hall for inspection by a representative of the City.

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

Event #2: Laying-Up Ceremony of the Regimental Colours
Significance: Colours are the embodiment of the Regiment and showcase not only the Regiment’s loyalties to the Country but also the Regiment’s history. The Regiment’s new Colours were presented upon its Centennial in November 2010 and now the retired Colours are being put to rest with full honours at Christ Church Cathedral.

Details: Ceremony to include music and the Laying-Up Ceremony.
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
Note: Seating is limited at Christ Church Cathedral

Event #3: March back to the Armoury and Vimy parade
Significance: A march back to the Seaforth Armoury (1650 Burrard Street) followed by a parade to commemorate the battle that made Canada a nation, The Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Details: Immediately after the Laying-Up Ceremony, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, led by the Pipes & Drums, will march up Burrard Street, across the Burrard Street Bridge and back to the Seaforth Armouries. The Vimy parade will begin upon the arrival of the Regiment at the Armoury.
Time: March begins: 1:00 p.m.; Vimy Parade begins – approximately 2:00 p.m.

Location: A route from Christ Church Cathedral to the Seaforth Armoury, South along Burrard Street from Georgia to 1st Avenue.

About The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada:

Vancouver’s Infantry Regiment, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - www.seaforth100.com - celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2010. Formed in 1910 by members of the local Scottish community, the Seaforths have served as volunteer soldiers, supporting Canada, in every major Canadian Forces overseas mission, including the two World Wars, as both peacekeepers and war fighters. 2010 saw Centenary festivities to mark and celebrate the tens of thousands of Vancouverites who have proudly served as Seaforths, both in harm’s way and in peacetime, over the past century.

Web: www.seaforth100.com
Twitter: @Seaforth100
flickr: Seaforth100

[Biathlonman]

What a great ceremony the Seaforths put on! I recognize a few faces in the group - Col John Fraser for one.

It's great that the Lieutenant Governor in BC still wears the uniform too - the LGs in Ontario and many other provinces gave it up years ago but it really is something. That's real gold bullion on the uniform - never tarnishes.

To our American friends: Do you ever wish - just a little bit - that you had units like this in your army?
The Canadian Army may not have the hardware, but we do have Highlanders.

[Seaforth Piper]

Very interesting...thanks for the links. I'm curious though - I'd always understood that flags/colours should never touch the ground, but noticed that they did so during one part of the ceremony. Are they allowed to do so only during certain proscribed situations, or have I misunderstood how they are to be handled?

Laurie

There are two types of parade salute given by a formed body of soldiers when 'under arms' (which is to say, 'when carrying a rifle or a sword');

-The General Salute given to a reviewing officer of the rank of Brigadier or above, in which the troops 'present arms' and the officers salute with their swords but the Colours stand fast, and

-The Royal Salute, in which all ranks present including the Escort to the Colours present arms and the Colours are dipped to the ground in submission to the Sovereign.

The Royal Salute is only given in the presence of HM or Her designated representative, in this case the Lieutenant-Governor.

You'll notice at a couple of points in the ceremony when the Colours are relatively unguarded that the Escort to the Colours are carrying their rifles at the 'ready' or 'en guarde' position and that regardless of whatever the other soldiers are doing, the Escort remains at attention with bayonets fixed.

Both the 'present arms' with the rifle (in which the weapon is being ritually offered to the superior officer) and the full salute with the sword (in which the sword hilt is brought to the lips* and then brought down and back into a position from which one cannot defend oneself) are gestures of ritual submission.

When a junior officer salutes a superior he does the full salute that I've just described, but the senior officer does a 'short salute'; up to the lips and back to the 'carry'.

The Colours are ritually laid on the ground for the same reason: a declaration of loyalty to Her Majesty - and a subtle reminder that we swear allegiance to Her and Her alone...

*Since the Crusades, this has been interpreted as kissing the Cross, but the custom is far older - the cross represents 'uncertaintly' or 'potential outcome' (think of a crossroads - there are at least 4 potential paths)