From the earliest days, regiments carried Colours and those of the Admiral's
Regiment reflected the yellow of their 17th Century coats. It is interesting
to note that today 42 Commando still uses the design of the original Lieutenant
Colonel's Colour as their unit flag. When the 10 Marine Regiments were
formed in 1739-1740, the number of Colours carried had been reduced to
two, the King's Colour (or Union Flag) and a Regimental Colour (matching
the facings). Later, each of the Grand Divisions (Chatham, Portsmouth,
Plymouth and, for a period, Woolwich) carried Colours. HRH Duke of Edinburgh
presented each Royal Marine Commando with a stand of Colours at a ceremony
in Malta on 29 November 1952, and more recently on 12 July 2001 on Plymouth
Hoe. Today in the Royal Marines Colours are only carried by RM Commandos.
Blue
Navy blue is the primary colour in the combination selected. It marks
the intimate connection of the Corps with the RN. Blue was the colour
of the facings on the uniform for over 100 years.
Red
Drummer red is the secondary colour in the design. This tint of red is
the old historic colour of the British Army and was worn by the infantry
of the Corps from early times down to the introduction of scarlet in 1876.
Green
Light infantry green was worn on the shako by the infantry of the Corps
for some years. It was perpetuated in the bugle strings of the RMLI.
Yellow
Old gold, rather than yellow, is the colour closely associated with the
early history of the Corps, as it was the distinctive colour of the dress
and ensigns of the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot
from which the Corps originates.
Unit Lanyards
In continuation of a custom whereby WW2 Commando Units wore identifying
lanyards, all ranks serving in the following operational units wear coloured
lanyards on their right shoulder when in No 5 (Lovat) or No 5W (half Lovat)
dresses. These lanyards are:
COMUKAMPHIBFOR - Maroon
HQ 3 Commando Brigade - Green
40 Commando - Light blue
42 Commando - White
45 Commando - Red
Commando Logistics Regiment - Navy blue
Commando Helicopter Force - Dark & light blue
539 Assault Squadron - Old gold & rifle green
* Fleet Protection Group - old gold & scarlet
* Fleet Protection Group were granted a lanyard because of their operational role and historic links to 43 Commando.