The Boys' Brigade in Somerset

STANDING ORDERS AND PROCEDURES FOR COLOUR PARTIES
ON BATTALION CEREMONIAL PARADES

These procedures assume 2 colours, the Queen's Colour and the Battalion Colour, on parade. If only the Battalion Colour is used reference should be made to the 1987 Drill Book, Chapter 8, which gives full details of Colour Party Drill procedures.

THE COLOUR PARTY

Colours may be carried by Officers, Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants, Seniors and N.C.O's, N.C.O's or Seniors from the other members of the Colour Party. It is advised that the boys providing Colour Escort should be similar in height and all members of the Colour Par;ty should perform all drill movements to the highest standard. The persons carrying the colours should be fully conversant with the basic positions given in The Boys' Brigade Book 1987,
Chapter 8, pages 113-118.

PARADE PROCEDURES

The Colours will be uncased by the Colour Bearers assisted as necessary by the Colour Party. Whilst the Battalion is being fallen in, the Colour Party will remain at the side of the parade, standing at ease, Colours at the order. On the command BATTALION ATTENTION the Colour Party will come to attention and the colours will be brought to the carry.

On the command MARCH ON THE COLOURS the band will play the General Salute. The Queen's Colour Bearer should give the commend QUICK MARCH to coincide with the first note of the bugles. The Colour Party will march, Colours to the carry, to a position in the centre of the parade as determined by the Adjutant, and will halt facing the direction in which the parade is to move.

ON THE MARCH COLOURS WILL BE CARRIED AT THE SLOPE

ARRIVAL AT THE CHURCH

On the command BATTALION HALT Colours will be brought to the carry. MARCH OFF THE COLOURS. The band will play the General Salute. The Queen's Colour bearer will give the necessary commands to move off on the first note of the bugles, and will also ensure the correct pace and behaviour are maintained to the Church Vestry or other pre-arranged place. There the Colour Party will remove headdress.

NOTE:- If local conditions do not permit this, the Battalion can be marched straight into the Church. The Colour Party would then maintain its' position in the parade into the Church Vestry or other pre-arranged place.

AT THE CHURCH B2

It is usual for the Colours to be brought into the Church immediately after the entry of the Minister and before the service proceeds. The congregation standing the Colours are carried - in slow time - at the carry to the front. It is appropriate for the Minister to receive them from the bearers. He will take the Battalion Colour first and place the Colours in a prominent position where they will remain during the service. The Colour Party should then move to seats reserved for them.

Where the Church has a centre aisle this should be used for entry. The Colour Party should maintain formation if space permits. If the Church has two aisles both should be used - the Queen's Colour, followed by 2 N.C.O's using the aisle on the right and the Battalion Colour followed by 1 N.C.O. using the aisle on the left. Care should be taken to ensure when the Colours are situated in the position they will occupy during the service with the Queen's Colour remaining in a position on the right of the Battalion Colour as seen from the Chancel of the Church (on the left of the congregation).

During the singing of the last hymn the Colour Party will move to the front of the Church. The Queen's Colour Bearer will take up position on the left of the Battalion Colour Bearer. They will receive the Colours from the Minister at the carry, with the Queen's Colour being returned first. The Colour Party will then about-turn to face the congregation, thus bringing the Colours into the correct position relative to one another. The Colours will remain at the carry for the National Anthem and will be brought to the order for the benediction.

At the conclusion of the service the congregation will remain standing whilst the Colour Party move in slow time, Colours at the carry, to the vestry or other suitable place. The Colour Party will replace head-dress and remain in their appointed place until the Battalion is reformed outside and ready to receive the Colours. The Colours will leave by opposite aisles to which they entered. The Colours will join the parade on the command MARCH ON THE COLOURS given by the Commanding Officer as previously described. On approaching the saluting base the Colours will be brought to the carry.

THE MARCH PAST

Whilst passing the saluting base the Colours will be let fly (i.e. the corner of the Colours held by the right hand is released until the second flag or marker is past).

NOTE:- THE COLOUR PARTY DO NOT TURN THEIR HEADS OR EYES. After passing the saluting base the Colour is returned to the slope.

DISPERSAL

On the command BATTALION HALT given by the Commanding Officer the Colours will be brought to the carry. On the command MARCH OFF THE COLOURS the band will play the General Salute. The Queen's Colour bearer will give the command QUICK MARCH to coincide with the first note of the bugles. The Colour Party will march to the side of the parade, Colours at the carry, to HALT facing the parade, and will remain so whilst the officers are fallen out and the parade dismissed. The Colour bearers will then recase the Colours and dismiss the Colour Party.


B3
DETAIL: MOVEMENT OF THE COLOUR PARTY

Wherever possible the Colour Party should always remain in line and changes in direction should therefore be carried out by means of forms. The N.C.O's or seniors in the rear maintain their correct positions behind the Colour Bearers.

COMPLIMENTS

Officers and Boys, when acting individually, will salute when passing uncased Colours, turning the head and looking towards the Colours. Should it be necessary for any officer to address the Colour Bearer he should salute the Colours before speaking and salute again before withdrawing.

COLOUR BEARERS

Should NOT kneel when handing Colours to the Minister, or when receiving them at the close of the service.

STANDING ORDERS FOR HOST COMPANY

1. To liaise with the Church Parade Adjutant.

2. Companies will be expected to formulate for the Church Parade Committee the following proposals:-

a) Date and time.
b) Route.
c) Assembly and dismissal points.
d) Clear and concise instructions to dignitaries.

3. Reception and supervision of dignitaries before, during and after the parade.

STANDING ORDERS FOR COMPANY SECTION MEMBERS ON
BATTALION PARADES

Every officer taking part in a Battalion Parade in whatever capacity must be familiar with the following Standing Orders:-

BUGLE CALL WARNING FOR PARADES

Companies will assemble on the left of the parade ground approximately opposite where they will fall in and stand at ease.

B4
BUGLE CALL FALL IN

Companies (or blocks of Companies) will fall in on their respective markers. Tallest on the right, shortest on the left. (Drill Book 1987 chapter 5, paragraph 1. Pages 47-49). The Officer, Warrant Officer or Sergeant who has fallen in the unit will hand over to the Composite Company Commander and then take his place with the other Officers on the left of the parade ground.

Composite Company Commanders will detail 6 officers to form 2 ranks of 3 supernumaries at the rear of the unit. Any remaining Officers should be asked to go to the rear of the parade to form up with other surplus Officers from the other Composite Companies. The Officer in charge of this group will already have been detailed on the Parade Orders.

The Parade Adjutant will then order:-

PARADE ATTENTION - All will comply.

OFFICERS FALL IN

Supernumerary Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute and march to their positions in line at the rear of their Composite Company.

TELL OFF BY COMPANIES

The Officer in command of No. 1 Company will call out "No. 1 Company". The Officer in command of No. 2 Company and other companies will call out in succession "No. 2, No. 3" and so on until the last Company Commander who will call out "No. - Company".

The Adjutant will then hand over the parade at attention to the Commanding Officer who will then give the order:-

MARCH ON THE COLOURS

The band will play the General Salute and ALL Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute, taking their time from the Commanding Officer.

IN SUCCESSION ADVANCE IN COLUMN OF ROUTE FROM THE RIGHT
BATTALION - RIGHT TURN

All will turn right, the Composite Company Commander will march to the head of the column. The other Officers and Staff Sergeants will about turn and march to their position in the rear of the Company covering the 3 ranks.

The Composite Company Commander of No. 1 Company will then order:-

NO. 1 COMPANY LEFT WHEEL - BY THE LEFT QUICK MARCH

The band will commence playing on this command and ALL will step off.

The other Composite Company Commanders will give similar orders in succession. B5

On arrival at the Church the band, if practicable, will stop playing to allow the Commanding Officer to give the command:-

BATTALION HALT. BATTALION TURN TO THE RIGHT (OR LEFT).. RIGHT TURN

The parade turns right (or left), the Officers and Staff Sergeants then about turn and march to their positions at the rear of the unit.

MARCH OFF THE COLOURS

All Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute as before, taking their time from the Commanding Officer.

The method of moving into Church will depend upon local conditions, but generally the Composite Company Commander will march his own unit into Church. Markers will report to the Adjutant at the Church door and will sit together during the service. The band will leave their instruments in a secure place previously arranged. After the service markers will be posted by the Adjutant and without command boys will fall in to their Composite Companies directly into threes. Composite Company Commanders will prove their units and stand them at ease. All other Officers will take their supernumerary place at the rear of the unit. The Adjutant will then order:-

PARADE ATTENTION. ALL WILL COME TO ATTENTION.

The Adjutant will then hand over the parade to the Commanding Officer. The Adjutant will then take his place to the right of No. 1 Composite Company as before. The Commanding Officer will then order:-

MARCH ON THE COLOURS

All Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute as before.

MOVE TO THE RIGHT IN COLUMN OF ROUTE, BATTALION RIGHT TURN

All turn right. Supernumerary officers will then about turn and march to their positions.

BY THE LEFT QUICK MARCH.

ALL WILL STEP OFF AND THE BAND WILL START TO PLAY.

AT THE SALUTING BASE

Flags or markers will be positioned 10 paces on either side of the saluting base. When the Commanding Officer reaches the first flag or marker the Commanding Officer will salute. The Adjutant who marches 2 paces to the rear of and to the left side of the Commanding Officer will salute at the same time. They will lower their hands on reaching the second flag or marker 10 paces past the saluting base.

NO. - COMPANY EYES RIGHT OR LEFT. B6

This order will be given by the Composite Company Commander 10 paces before the saluting base as signified by a flag or marker. Left (or right) guides (i.e. the front boy) do not turn their heads or look to the left (or right) AND ONLY COMPOSITE COMPANY COMMANDERS WILL SALUTE.

NO. - COMPANY EYES FRONT

The Composite Company Commander will lower his salute on reaching the second flag or marker, but will wait to give his command until his supernumerary ranks have passed the second flag or marker 10 paces beyond the saluting base.

DISPERSAL

On arrival at the dispersal point the parade will be marshalled by the Adjutant into the best formation depending on local surroundings, either in line or in column of sections. The band will stop playing and the Commanding Officers will order:-

BATTALION HALT. ALL WILL COMPLY.

MARCH OFF THE COLOURS.

Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeant will salute as before.

FALL OUT THE OFFICERS

All Officers will take up position 2 paces in front of and facing the Commanding Officer either in 1, 2 or 3 ranks depending on the numbers of Officers on parade. All Officers will then take 5 paces forward and turn about. The Commanding Officer may then ask Composite Company Commanders to return to their units and dismiss them individually.

UNIFORM

Captains and/or Officers in Charge should check beforehand the standard of uniform of both Officers and Boys Any deviation from that laid down in the manual for the use of Officers will result in a less than best impression being given to the community. Composite Company Commanders must ensure all Officers in their units are dressed correctly in either regulation suits or ones which are dark in colour or a full unform. ANY OFFICER NOT SO DRESSED SHOULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PARADE.

STANDING ORDERS FOR JUNIOR SECTIONS WHEN PARADING WITH COMPANY SECTIONS ON BATTALION PARADES

Every Officer taking part in a Battalion Parade in whatever capacity must be familiar with the following Standing Orders:-

BUGLE CALL - WARNING FOR PARADE. B7

Companies will assemble on the left of the parade ground approximately opposite where they will fall in, and stand at ease.

MARKERS

Each Composite Company Commander will provide a marker to report to the Adjutant on the warning for parade bugle call. The Adjutant will post the markers in close column (e.g. 7 paces behind each other) which will then give the formation on which the parade is to be formed. (Namely in close column of Companies).

On arrival at the church it is suggested that markers report to the Adjutant at the church door who will arrange for them to sit together during the service. Afterwards the Adjutant will again post the markers. As this is likely to be on a roadway the parade will be formed in line. Therefore sufficient space must be allowed between the markers depending upon the size of the Composite Companies.

BUGLE CALL - FALL IN

Composite Companies will be fallen in by an officer and BOYS WILL BE PLACED AS COMPANY SECTION, NUMBERING 1-2, 1-2, ETC. DIRECTLY INTO THREES IN THE BEST POSSIBLE MANNER.

The Officer will then hand over the unit to the Composite Company Commander who will take up position two paces in front of the centre of the Company. The Company Commander will then detail 6 Officers to form 2 ranks of supernumaries at the rear of the unit. More Officers will also be detailed to march on the outside of the unit to prevent traffic from coming too close alongside the marching column. They will also ensure the correct pace and behaviour are maintained. Any remaining Officers should be asked to go to the rear of the parade to form up with other surplus officers from other Composite Companies. The Officer in Charge of this group will already have been detailed on the Parade Orders.

The Parade Adjutant will then order:-

PARADE ATTENTION - OFFICERS FALL IN.

The Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute and then march to their positions at the rear of the Composite Companies.

TELL OFF BY COMPANIES

The Officer in Command of No. 1 Company will call out "No 1 Company". The Officers in command of No. 2 Company and of other Companies will call out in succession "No. 2",
"No. 3" and so on until the last Company Commander who will out "No. - Company".

The Adjutant will then hand over the parade to the Commanding Officer. The Adjutant will then take up position 4 paces to the right of the front rank of No. 1 Company.

The Commanding Officer will then order:- B8

MARCH ON THE COLOURS.

The band will play the General Salute and ALL Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute, taking their time from the Commanding Officer.

IN SUCCESSION ADVANCE IN COLUMN OF ROUTE FROM THE RIGHT BATTALION - RIGHT TURN. ALL WILL MAKE A RIGHT TURN.

The Composite Company Commander, after having turned right, will march to the head of the column. The other Officers and Staff Sergeants will about turn and march to their positions in the rear of the Company covering the 3 ranks or positioning themselves alongside the outside rank.

The Composite Company Commander of No. 1 Company will then order:-

NO. 1 COMPANY, LEFT WHEEL. BY THE LEFT, QUICK MARCH.

THE BAND WILL COMMENCE PLAYING ON THIS COMMAND AND ALL WILL STEP OFF.

The other Composite Company Commanders will give similar orders in succession.

On arrival at the Church the band, if practical, will stop playing and the Commanding Officer will then order:-

BATTALION HALT. BATTALION TURN TO THE RIGHT (OR LEFT). RIGHT TURN.

The parade turn right (or left). The Officers and Staff Sergeants then about turn and march to their position at the rear of the unit.

MARCH OFF THE COLOURS.

The method of moving into Church will depend upon local conditions but generally the Composite Company should be marched into Church by the Composite Company Commander. (See previous note regarding markers).

After the service, Companies will be fallen in - in 3's as before and as quickly and orderly as possible. All Officers to assist. The parade will most probably be falling in on a roadway so it will form up in line (see note regarding markers). Company Commanders and Supernumeral Officers will take up position as before.

The Adjutant will then order:-

PARADE ATTENTION.

He will then hand the parade over to the Commanding Officer and take up position as before. The Commanding Officer will then march on the colours.

MARCH ON THE COLOURS B9

The band will play the General Salute and ALL Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute.

If it is not possible to assemble in close column of Companies the parade will be assembled in line when the order to move off will be as follows:-


MOVE TO RIGHT ON COLUMN OF ROUTE. BATTALION RIGHT TURN.

ALL will act on this order. Time will be allowed after the right turn for supernumerary Officers to move to their new positions as previously described before the order quick march is given.

BY THE LEFT QUICK MARCH. ALL will step off and THE BAND WILL COMMENCE TO PLAY.

At the saluting base flags and markers will be posted 10 paces on either side. When the Parade Commanding Officer reaches the 1st flag or marker the Commanding Officer will salute. The Adjutant will salute at the same time. They will lower their hands on reaching the 2nd flag or marker.

NO. - COMPANY -EYES LEFT (OR RIGHT).

This order will given by each Composite Company Commander 10 paces before the saluting base as signified by the flag or marker. Left (or right) guides to not turn their heads or look to the left (or right) and ONLY COMPOSITE COMPANY COMMANDERS WILL SALUTE.

NO. - COMPANY EYES FRONT.

On reaching the 2nd marker the Composite Company Commander will cease saluting but the command EYES FRONT will not be given until the rear of the Composite Company has passed the 2nd marker or flag.

DISPERSAL

On arrival at the dispersal point the parade will be marshalled by the Adjutant into the best formation depending on local surroundings, either in line or in column of sections. As the parade is being brought into the desired formation the band should stop playing and the Commanding Officer will then order:-

BATTALION HALT. ALL WILL COMPLY.

MARCH OFF THE COLOURS.

All Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will salute as before.

B10

FALL OUT THE OFFICERS

ALL Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants will take up position 2 paces in front of and facing the Commanding Officer in either, 1,2 or 3 ranks depending upon the number on parade. ALL WILL THEN SALUTE, take 5 paces forward and turn about.

DISMISS.

Boys will dismiss as in Elementary Drill, Page 36.6 of the 1987 Drill Book.

NOTE: The Commanding Officer may ask the Composite Company Commanders to return to their units and dismiss them individually.

GENERAL NOTES:-

(a) The Colour Party will parade as per Battalion Standing Orders for Colour Parties as with reference to the 1987 Drill Book, Chapter 8, and will rehearse the movements prior to the parade.

(b) Company Captains will brief their Officers and other ranks to ensure uniformity in order that the community may be suitably impressed.

(c) Dress - there must be complete and correct observance by all ranks to the regulations regarding uniform. (See manual for Use of Officers).

Composite Company Commanders must ensure all Officers in their units are dressed correctly. ANY OFFICER NOT SO DRESSED SHOULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PARADE.

BAND:- The parading band shall not exceed one third of the total number on parade. The only Officer in the band will be the Bandmaster unless prior permission has been given by the Battalion Executive.