(Berkshire and Wiltshire)

The Battalion formed three sides of a square and the colours were uncased and consecrated by the Chaplin General. At the conclusion of the service , his Royal Highness presented the colours to the officers of the colour party. He then addressed the parade after which the Commanding officer replied on behalf of the Battalion

He said:- 

"These Colours replace those of the two Regiments who's traditions and history we combine on Amalgamation. The honours borne on these colours will ever be a reminder to us of the duty and service to our Sovereign and to our Country we now carry forward in the name of your Regiment, who's title we are honoured and proud to bear"

The Battalion then marched past in quick time, followed by the advance in Review order and a Royal Salute.

The new Regimental March 'The Farmers Boy' was played, the first of many for this new Regiment over the coming years.

The Duke of Edinburgh Presents the Colour

Duke of Edinburgh addresses the parade

Commanding Officer

Lieutenant - Colonel G.F. WOOLNOUGH M.C.

Second in Command

Major F.H.B. BOSHELL, D.S.O. M.B.E.

Adjutant

Captain W.G.R. TURNER

Regimental Sergeant Major

W.O. 1 L. HODGES

QUEENS COLOUR

REGIMENTAL COLOUR

Lieutenant J.N. MORRIS

Lieutenant J.B. SHEARS

GUARDS

C.S.M. D. MORTIMER

ADDRESS BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH TO

'THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S ROYAL REGIMENT'

9th June 1959

There is one emotion which is always present whenever anything is changed. Regret at losing something old and familiar. Even if the change is recognized to be inevitable and even when the old is known to be bad there has always been and there always will be a sense of regret at its passing.

The Duke of Cambridge as Commander- in- Chief of the Army is supposed to have said on one occasion 'Gentlemen, I am against change even if it can be proved to be for the better' However much  we may disagree, I think  we all have a sneaking sympathy for a man who admitted that his sense of regret was greater than his sense of improvement.

Regret has its place in today's ceremony because who can fail to regret the passing of two gallant regiments with long and courageous histories ? There is, however, this consolation, nothing can rub out their history, their triumphs and defeats, their courage and devoted service are facts which can never be removed from the record.

Change may bring regret but at the same time it is both a challenge and a stimulant. It is only a very mean spirit which does not rise to the opportunities of change.

In forming this new Regiment every one of you has a chance to put something more into it than loyalty and obedience to tradition. each one of you has a chance to create new traditions and to help constructively in building a Regiment that can live up to and indeed surpass the standards of both its predecessors.

You have plenty to build on. Your counties are neighbors. Both Regiments have had Royal connections. Both Regiments saw service in China and both had a particularly close association with the Royal Navy and the sea.

I can see no reason why the new Regiment should not grow into a fighting unit in the very highest traditions of the British Army and I tell you all here and now that I consider it a very great honour to me that your name should be The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment and that I should have the privilege of being your Colonel-in-Chief. I am entirely confident that the honour of a proud title is in good hands and that you will cherish these new Colours as a reminder of your duty to the Queen and to the country.

Finally I look to the retired officers and old Comrades to give their full and loyal support to the new Regiment both in the critical months ahead and at all times in the future

GOOD LUCK AND BLESS YOU ALL