On This Day, 8 December 1916

Birmingham Mail

Friday 8 December 1916

BIRMINGHAM TERRITORIALS

COLOURS TO BE DEPOSITED AT THE CATHEDRAL

An interesting military ceremony will take place in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon, December 17^th, when the colours of the local Territorial units of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment will be deposited at the Birmingham Cathedral. The six flags of the three battalions (the King’s colours and the Regimental colours) were left at the regimental depots when the men went on active service, and by permission of Bishop Hamilton Baynes they will be given safe custody in the church of which he is rector. Troops will leave Thorp Street Drill Hall at half-past two o’clock for the service, which will commence at three o’clock. The colours will be borne by men of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and those taking part in the parade to the Cathedral will be the members of the Officers Training Corps and the local Cadet Battalions, under the command of Colonel Ludlow. The troops will be headed by the band of the 10^th Royal Hussars (under bandmaster Atherley) from the Command Depot, Sutton Coldfield, and the band of the Dudley Road Section of the 1^st Southern General Hospital will also head one of the units. The route will be via John Bright Street, Navigation Street, Temple Street, New Street, Colmore Row, to the Cathedral. The military arrangements are in the hands of Col. C. J. Hart, C.B., the officer commanding troops in Birmingham to whom applications for admission tickets should be made by men who belong to or have served with the present local Territorial units, or by members of the public who feel they have a claim to be present. Officers desiring to attend are requested to communicate with Colonel Hart at Thorp Street. The service will be of a ceremonial character (of a kind almost unique in Birmingham). The colour will be received, at the request of Colonel Hart, by Bishop Hamilton Baynes, and the sermon will be preached by the Bishop of Birmingham.