MILITARY (Contd.)
compiled largely from old books, which contain one or two phrases that might prove misleading to-day.
For instance, reference is made to the levelling of Murray Parade Ground, when a "mountain" was turned into a plateau: actually this is a poetic exaggeration, for the rising land on which the parade ground, Cathedral, and so forth, were built, was not of great height, and sloped back gently from the Queen's Road level. No doubt, however, considerable cutting and levelling had to be done.
Then there is the mention of "Shartin", from which Lieut. Collinson drew his panorama of Hong Kong Island. This is the phonetic rendering of Shatin, a name now confined to the low-lying area at the back of the Kowloon range of hills. It would appear that Collinson took his view from the ridge at the back of Kowloon City, and was given the name Shatin by local Chinese; actually, he probably stood in Shatin Gap, having followed the old native pathway, the remains of which may be seen even now, which leads from Kowloon City over the hills to Shatin on the other side.
Since then, of course, a military path has been constructed between the two places, and is in use to-day.
682
The first presentation of Colours to a Regiment in Hong Kong took place as far back as 1848, in the presence of Major-General D'Aguilar. The function was held in the parade ground in Murray Barracks, then newly erected. It was a most interesting affair, worthy of a fairly full report in this series: the Regiment concerned was one of the earliest to garrison the Colony, the 95th Foot, now known as the 2nd Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters.
The day (Feb. 15, 1848) proving remarkably fine, a numerous concourse of spectators assembled to witness the ceremony, "on the Parade Ground at the new Barracks," and a little after 4 o'clock the Regiment formed line at open order and received Major-General D'Aguilar, C.B., and staff. The band then trooped, playing "Savourneen Deelish," and returned with "Auld Lang Syne."
11
The grenadiers closed ranks and advanced twenty paces to the front, preceded by the band playing "The British Grenadiers"; then wheeled to the left, and proceeded to the centre of the line where they again wheeled to the left and faced the old Colours. Having opened ranks, the two Ensigns with the old Colours advanced to within a few paces of the grenadiers. The whole battalion then presented arms, the band playing "God save the Queen"; after which the grenadiers closed ranks, and bringing their left shoulders forward so as to enclose the old Colours, moved off parallel to the line, the band playing "The British Grenadiers." On clearing the left of the line, the subdivisions received the word "Right turn, left wheel, halt," and the battalion received the word, "Present arms," after which the grenadiers moved off in slow time in the usual manner.
Upon arriving at the centre of the line, the Ensigns with the Colours assumed their usual place, and the grenadiers proceeded to their post on the right, and when formed, presented arms as the rest of the line.
The Regiment next formed three sides of a square; and an altar of drums having been raised, the new Colours were brought from the rear, and delivered, who arranged them for the consecration.
The Rev. Mr. Steedman then came forward, and proceeded with this impressive ceremony; on the conclusion of which the Majors handed the Colours to Mrs. and Miss Campbell, who, after a few...
MILITARY (Contd.)
compiled largely from old books, which contain one or two phrases that might prove misleading to-day.
For instance, reference is made to the levelling of Murray Parade Ground, when a "mountain" was turned into a plateau: actually this is a poetic exaggeration, for the rising land on which the parade ground, Cathedral, and so forth, were built, was not of great height, and sloped back gently from the Queen's Road level. No doubt, however, considerable cutting and levelling had to be done.
Then there is the mention of "Shartin", from which Lieut. Collinson drew his panorama of Hong Kong Island. This is the phonetic rendering of Shatin a name now confined to the low- lying area at the back of the Kowloon range of hills. It would appear that Collinson took his view from the ridge at the back of Kowloon City, and was given the name Shatin by local Chinese actually, he probably stood in Shatin Gap, having followed the old native pathway, the remains of which may be seen even now, which leads from Kowloon City over the hills to Shatin on the other side.
Since then, of course, a military path has been constructed between the two places, and is in use to-day.
682
The first presentation of Colours to a Regiment in Hong Kong took place as far back as 1848, in the presence of Major-General D'Aguilar. The function was held in the parade ground in Murray Barracks, then newly erected. It was a most interesting affair, worthy of a fairly full report in this series: the Regiment concern- ed was one of the earliest to garrison the Colony, the 95th. Foot now known as the 2nd. Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters.
The day (Feb. 15, 1848) proving remarkably fine, a numerous concourse of spectators assembled to witness the ceremony, "on the Parade Ground at the new Barracks," and a little after 4 o' clock the Regiment formed line at open order and received Major General D'Aguilar, C.B., and staff. The band then trooped, playing "Savourneen Deelish," and returned with "Auld Lang syne.
11
The grenadiers closed ranks and advanced twenty paces to the front, preceded by the band playing "The British Grenadiers” then wheeled to the left, and proceeded to the centre of the line where they again wheeled to the left and faced the old Colours. Having opened ranks, the two Ensigns with the old Colours advanced to within a few paces of the grenadiers. The whole battalion then presented arms, the band playing "God save the Queen;" after which the grenadiers closed ranks, and bringing their left shoulders forward so as to enclose the old Colours, moved off parrallel to the line, the band playing "The British Grenadiers." On clearing the left of the line, the subdivisions received the word "Right turn, left wheel, halt," and the battalion received the word, "Present arms, "after which the grenadiers moved off in slow time in the usual manner
Upon arriving at the centre of the line, the Ensigns with the Colours assumed their usual place, and the grenadiers proceeded to their post on the right, and when formed, presented arms as the rest of the line.
The Regiment next formed three sides of a square; and an alter of drums having been raised, the new Colours were brought from the rear, and delivered, who arranged them for the consecration.
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The Rev. Mr. Steedman then came forward, and proceeded with - this impressive ceremony on the conclusion of which the Majors handed the Colours to Mrs. and Miss Campbell, who, after a few
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