At It Again
A Territorial infantry battalion is to have new colours presented to it on the last day of its annual training. The ceremony is to take place at X, the unit's county town, to which it will return by train from camp—starting at 3 a.m.- in time for a rehearsal on the previous day. Half the battalion, which is about 800 strong, will spend the night in barracks four miles from the parade ground; the other half will have to travel 12 miles to the nearest available WD accommodation. The War Office refuses to authorise the use of military trans- port to move the battalion to its billets, as these are not on the direct route between its camp and X; and there is of course no question of transport being provided to bring the men back next day for the parade itself, the presentation of colours being regarded as a sort of extramural frivolity which has nothing to do with soldiering. So for an occasion which is, however dim a view you take of the regimental traditions about which Colonel Bernard Fergusson writes perceptively on a later page, of some importance to the battalion, it will have to hire a fleet of coaches at its own expense, like a Women's Institute going to Chu Chin Chow on Ice. It remains to be seen whether the very distinguished serving officer who is to present the colours will arrive by taxi.
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