The Regimental Colours

Today marks the centenary of the 71^st (City of Ballarat) Infantry receiving  Regimental Colours, as reported in both today’s Courier, and the Courier of 19th October 1914, which reported on the solemn ceremony which took place at the City Oval, attended by the Governor-General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson and Lady Ferguson.

The first part of the article stresses the gravity and importance of Colours, and how they will be protected right to the very last.

                            

 

If you follow this link to TROVE you will be able to read the article in full, which describes the Ballarat companies parading and marching from the Curtis St Drill Hall, up Sturt St to the City Oval, where the Colours were presented. It happened that the South Street Highland Gathering was in full swing at the time, considered appropriate given “what Highland regiments have done in the Empire’s battles of the past”. 

Another step in Ballarat soldiers’ preparation for war.  The war still seems far away and an adventure to be part of. Some worry it will be over before Christmas, before they even get away from Australia.

Newspaper advertising in 1914

At the Ballarat Library, in the Australiana Research Room, we keep a copy of the Ballarat Courier newspaper which is always open to the page dated 100 years ago.  At the moment when you read through it there are stories about the War beginning in Europe and stories a bit closer to home such as the 70th Infantry leaving Ballarat.  These stories are sprinkled throughout the newspaper but one thing that stuck out in the newspaper this week was the advertising.  Not just the advertisements but the wording that was being used.  'War on Tailoring', 'Miller's great attack. All new goods surrender', 'War versus Furs'.  It seems the War was making for some good advertising.

The Ballarat Courier, 29 August 1914 (accessed online)

The Ballarat Courier, 29 August 1914 (Accessed online)

The Ballarat Courier, 29 August 1914 (Accessed online)

If you would like to look at the Ballarat Courier from 1914 you can access it online via the National Library Australia at TROVE, or if you would like to look at a hard copy come on in to the Ballarat Library.