COLOURS IN OTHER ARMIES Indian Army.—Colours of units of the Indian army follow the general rules for British units ; the 2nd King Edward's Own Gurkha Rifles, however, have the unique distinction of carrying a "truncheon" which resembles a drum-major's staff. This truncheon is paid the same honours as a colour. It was granted to the Sirmoor Battalion (the former title of the 2nd Gurkhas) for distinguished services at Delhi during the Indian Mutiny in British Dominion units also follow generally the rules for British units.
United States of America.—Standards were first authorized for U.S.A. units under a war department letter of Feb. 28, 178o : two per regiment following the British custom—one, the standard of the U.S.A. and the other, the regimental standard, the colour of the regimental facing. The colours were made in France. At present all mounted or motorized regiments carry two standards, and all dismounted units two colours : one, the national standard or colour, being the U.S. flag in silk; the other, the regimental or organization colour, the colour of the facing of the corps, depart ment or arm, also of silk; the unit's official badge in the centre; below this the unit's title. Attached to the regimental colour are streamers, the colour of the medal ribbons for the various cam paigns, on which are embroidered the battle honours of each cam paign. Those for the World War are borne on streamers the colour of the Victory Medal ribbon. Previously, battle honours were en graved on silver bands round the staff, a practice copied from the old German army. Units awarded the French f ourragere (an or namental cord, similar to an aiguillette, the colours of the ribbon of the Croix de Guerre, with metal tags) attach it to the staff of the regimental colour below the head. The staff is topped with a spear head.
France.—The origin and history of French colours is identical with that of British, except that France adopted the Roman eagle as the head of the staff. Only one colour (drapeau) is now borne by each unit, being carried by a sous-lieutenant, with the usual colour party. The colours of the drapeau are the tricolour ; on one side is embroidered the title of the regiment, and on the other, on the white in the centre, are embroidered the battle honours. Regiments which are authorized to carry the f ourragere carry it just below the top of the staff, and, if authorized, the Cross of the Legion of Honour is pinned on a sash near the head. The counterpart of British rifles, the chasseurs a pied, carry no col ours, except the battalion quartered at Vincennes for the time be ing which carries a colour for the whole arm in memory of the first chasseurs de Vincennes.
Japan.—The colour carried by Japanese units is the national flag, the Rising Sun, with 16 rays. No battle honours or devices, other than the title of the regiment, are borne on the colour. No colour is replaced until the staff is broken.
Belgium.—Standards and colours are borne by Belgian units except artillery regiments, whose battle honours are engraved on the shields of the guns.
GE.rmany.—Standards and colours were borne by German regiments until the creation of the reichswehr on April 1, 1921, since which time none have been borne. The traditions of the old army are maintained by "Tradition Units." Portugal.—Regiments carry a national flag as their colour. No battle honours are carried at present but the matter is under consideration. When battle honours were borne they were re moved when the last survivor of the particular engagement died.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.-A. Ross, Old Scottish Regimental Colours (1885) ; Bibliography.-A. Ross, Old Scottish Regimental Colours (1885) ; S. M. Milne, The Standards and Colours of the Army from the Restoration, r66r, to the Introduction of the Territorial System, 188r (1893) ; F. E. Hulme, The Flags of the World (1897) ; Gheradi Davis, Regimental Colours in the War of the Revolution (1907, 1908) (good for old U.S.A. colours) ; W. J. Gordon, Flags of the World, Past and Present (1915) ; B. McCandless and G. H. Grosvenor, Flags of the World (Washington, See also official documents at Public Record Office and War Office (London), Royal Warrants, Clothing Warrants, General Orders and Army Orders dealing specifi cally with standards, guidons and colours. (T. J. E.) a rank peculiar to the British army, created in 1813 at Wellington's request, and till 1915 the senior N.C.O. of a company. One particular duty of the colour-sergeant is that of "Attending the Colours." The original distinctive badge was a "Colour supported by two cross swords and ensigned with a Crown" worn above the chevrons on the tunic. In 1915 a new rank, that of warrant officer class 2, was created and generally the senior of the colour-sergeants of a double company was promoted thereto.