16th Battalion Colours
16th_Battalion_Colours.doc 
Each Infantry Battalion has two Colours, The Queen's Colour and the Regimental Colour. Originally the Colours were used as a means to identify the Battalion and were carried in battle in the centre of the front rank where they could be easily seen and recognised. They became the rallying point in battle and often the centre of much bitter hand to hand fighting. In 1811, after the battle of Albuhera, it was decided that Colours would no longer be carried in battle. However there are recorded incidents of Colours being carried after this date, the most famous being the 24th Foot, who lost their Colours in battle at Islandlhwana in 1879.
Since the Peninsula War, Battle Honours have been placed on Colours and thus they symbolise the courage, sacrifice and steadfastness of the men who served the Battalion in past campaigns.
The Colours are consecrated emblems and are entitled to the highest military honours. They provide a constant reminder to the Battalion of its undying responsibility to be worthy of its glorious traditions and its past service to Sovereign and Country. The Colours are the Battalion's proudest processions.
The Queen's Colour is in the form of an Australian Commonwealth Blue Ensign emblazoned with 10 battle honours from the Second World War. While the Regimental Colour is of Royal Blue, for a Royal Regiment and carries 11 battle honours from South Africa and the First World War.
The picture below shows the New Queen's and Regimental Colours presented by His Excellency, Lieutenant General John Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen at Leeuwin Barracks, East Fremantle on the 27th of October 2002. 
A Battalion's Colours historically were used to rally the troops in the chaos of battle. If the colours were lost to enemy action the unit ceased to exist. Great feats of valour were displayed in order to defend the Colours and to keep them flying. In modern times the Colours embody the spirit of the battalion. While people come and go and a unit moves physical location, the Colours provide the focus for all members, past and present. Pictured below are the Colours of the 16th Battalion, emblazoned with it's Battle Honours, on parade. 
The 16th Battalion holds the Colours of its parent units and was presented with its new Colours in 2002. The Colours are kept on display just inside the entrance to the Battalion Headquarters and soldiers passing through even if only for a short visit can't fail to notice the pride the Regiment takes from the manner in which they are proudly mounted. The Colours are paraded on ceremonial occasions such as "The Freedom of Entry to a City", or marches on "ANZAC Day" and are traditionally carried by the Junior Officers and guarded only by the most experienced Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. When the Colours are paraded you are always to show the utmost respect as they are a link to the sacrifice the Battalion has made in the past for the honours it holds. Soldiers are to stand to attention if in a group with a more senior soldier in charge or in civilian attire. If you are in uniform you are to salute. Colours are sacred to the Battalion and traditionally a soldier will do everything he can to defend them at all costs.