The Queen's Colour

On 22 December 1995 Her Majesty Queen Juliana presented the Queen's Colour to the then corps commander Lieutenant Colonel P. de Bruin. The solemn presentation of the Queen's Colour was a festive event for the town of Roosendaal and took place on the sports fields of RBC soccerclub in Roosendaal. By Royal Decree it was decided that the Queen's Colour had the following legends: ARAKAN 1944, NIJMEGEN 1944, EINDHOVEN 1944, VLISSINGEN 1944 and WESTKAPELLE 1944. Her Majesty the Queen delivered a short address in which she said : "Commando troops, it is my privilege to present the Queen's Colour to you today. I am aware that I do so to men of action, also an elite of athletes. From you situational awareness is required and you have to prove yourselves against any situation. Also an inner balance of mind and body is demanded from each of you. Much is required from your will, but than your will requires the perfect discipline. Sometimes you are tasked the most difficult missions. Your Queen's Colour will commemorate you and those who will serve the Commando troops after you. May this Queen's Colour be your symbol of the best ideals that live within the hearts of the Dutch people". By Royal Decree of 8 November 1980 it was decided that the following legends were added to the Queen's Colour: DJOKJAKARTA 1948 and CENTRAL-SUMATRA 1948-1949. On March 1981 Lt Col N.J. de Koning attached the cravat to the Queen's Colour during a solemn ceremony. The Queen's Colour is present at all official ceremonies. The Queen's Colour is guarded by the Colour Guard who are in full dress and armed with a Tommy-gun, a weapon that was used by commandos in the early years of the Korps.