7 Hawkes Bay Battalion hand over colours

Representatives from 7 HB Battalion based in Napier joined their Wellington and Taranaki comrades from 5 Battalion last Wednesday for a ceremonial handing over of three historic colours, which had originally been presented in 1920.
The finely embroidered colours had been issued after approval from King George V for the three battalions under the Wellington Infantry Regiment, which served during WWI.
The Wellington Infantry Regiment was formed at the outbreak of war in 1914 and went on to draw 10,000 men from the territorial battalions of Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, West Coast and Ruahine - eventually forming three battalions.
The first saw action at Gallipoli, with the second forming after the evacuation of the peninsula.
The third battalion was added in 1917 and served in France, Belgium and Germany.
Each battalion had distinctive patches, and colours.
The colours, described by an army spokesperson as in a delicate state and faded, had been on public display at All Saints Church in Palmerston North - which is where the original soldiers had gathered before departing overseas in 1914.
Last Wednesday they were presented to the National Army Museum where they will be preserved for display.