This is Page 2 of the Military and Paramilitary Flags of Singapore site. It is advisable to read Page 1 first as this is a progression from that page. Reading page 1 first would also assist in the complete understanding of the flags on this page, as they are all inter-related.

If a glossary of flag terminology is required, please refer to FOTW: Glossary of Flag Terms website for a comprehensive list and their definitions.

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Parades and ceremonies form an integral part of any regimented organisations. Then is when the discipline of the organisation is represented through precision drill movements as well as through the presentation of their personnel in their smartest attire. It is also during such occasions that special flags will be paraded to add colour, pomp and ceremony to such events.

The most widely known parade in Singapore is the National Day Parade (NDP) held on 9^th August every year. It marks the independence day of the nation and it is where the military and paramilitary forces participate in one massive regimented parade, together with civilian contingents and other uniformed youth organisations such as the Red Cross Society, Scout Movement, Boys' Brigade, etc. 

The National Day Parades is comprised of the four Guard-of-Honour contingents from the Police, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, followed in its rear by the SAF Colours Party (full), and the SAF supporting contingents, the paramilitary supporting contingents and the civilian and junior uniformed groups supporting contingents. The Prisons department and the other uniformed services are not represented with a contingent possibly due to their size and operational requirements. 

Calendar of military & paramilitary services commemorative days and parades in Singapore:

+ 5th May - Republic of Singapore Navy Day
+ June - Police Day Parade (Part of the annual Police Week celebrations)
+ 1st July - Singapore Armed Forces Day
+ 9th August - National Day Parade
+ 1st September - Republic of Singapore Air Force Day
+ 15th September - Singapore Civil Defence Force Day

While SAF Day Parade is observed by all three military services (Army, Navy and Air Force), the Navy Day and Air Force Day are only observed by the respective two Services. The Police Day Parade and Civil Defence Day Parade are observed separately by the two Services, although sometimes on Civil Defence Day, the Police Band is in attendance to provide parade music (marches and salutes) for SCDF. Apart from the list above, the various army formations may also have their own anniversary day celebrations. If a parade is conducted, the Regimental Colours of the formation will be paraded.

While flags are a feature of parades and ceremonies, the topic on parades & ceremonies is in itself worthy of a separate and in depth presentation not detailed here.

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This classification "Indoor, Parade & Ceremonial Flags" is for the flags, which are designed and/or designated specially for use at special functions, parades and ceremonies, and/or just to serve as an indoor flag. They are usually manufactured differently from the way other common and daily used flags are manufactured. 

An important difference is therefore their appearance. It can be said that they are more visually ceremonial and feature some if not all of special flag accessories such as fringes, cords, etc. They are usually embroidered and manufactured with expensive fabric, and attached to a pike/staff, which features special finials.

The bulk of the information within this classification is in relation to the military as it is rare (but not totally unheard of) that paramilitary services adopt the traditions of colours. However, other ceremonial and indoor flags are also provided for where information is available.

i. Service Flags as Indoor & Parade Flags

It is not unusual to see service flags displayed indoors at ceremonies, events or as decor, in their original form, without any fringes, tassels or cords. In these cases, the service flags have went beyond their original function, which is to be displayed as an outdoor flag. It is also normal that national and service flags are paraded, although the protocols are different from those of colours. 

While service flag may perform indoor flag functions, the class of flags referred to on this page are functions differently from service flags, i.e., the flags referred here may look like the service flags or other general flags listed on page 1 but they are not to be hoisted on poles outdoors.

ii. Colours

One of the most important and identifiable form of "Indoor, Parade & Ceremonial" flags are Colours. They comprise, in the post-independence Singapore context, the State Colours and the Regimental Colours. Currently, only the military forces of Singapore practice the use and traditions of colours. Once central in the battlefields of the past, colours are now predominantly ceremonial in function. Apart from Colours, other corresponding ceremonial flags used by the military in British and Commonwealth tradition include Guidons and Standards. These are however not adopted by Singapore's present-day military. Formations typically parading these are instead given Colours since independence.

In the Navy, all flags, ensigns, and pennants are referred to as "Colours". Presently the term's usage has also included the reference to any flag, such as the national flag (for instance "national colours"). The term "Colours" in these pages shall be restricted to military flags consecrated for ceremonial purposes.

Colours were initially used in medieval times and for quite sometime in modern history as a rallying point of the soldiers in battlefields. The use of symbols and early forms of flags for identification and signaling purposes civil and military however had its origins since the time of the ancient civilisations. Military colours were originally called ensigns derived possibly from the Latin word insignia. If the enemy captured these colours, the unit would be considered defeated, hence the importance of securing and protecting the colours. One of the last occasions that saw army colours being carried into battle was agreed to have been the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Thereafter, army colours became largely ceremonial. In an equivalent sense, the naval ensigns also performed this identification function at sea (in both wartime and in peacetime given the maritime world's requirements of ships needing to be identifiable all day while at sea) and were thus comparable to the battle flags (Colours) of their land counterparts, the army formations and units. The use of naval ensigns on land were however naturally limited as compared to the land forces and the development of ceremonial flags for the maritime forces' use ashore were thus not as comprehensive as or differed from those of the land forces. This eventually led to some ceremonial inconsistency and misunderstanding, which was nonetheless later resolved when the Royal Navy began parading proper corresponding ceremonial flags, the Sovereign's Colours, from 1925 onwards (see section 4.1F on the Royal Navy Far East Station for more elaboration and references).  

Even though (army) colours are no longer carried into battle, the significance, dignity, honour and prestige of the colours have been retained and they now function as a ceremonial flag that instills pride and loyalty to its personnel, and many of the principles such as the concept of 'guarding the Colour' is still very much felt today. Colours, as flags for parades and ceremonies, thus began very much as an army infantry tradition due to the original function of military flags in battles that later evolved for ceremonial purposes. Its ceremonial concepts and principles were eventually adopted by the other armed services namely the navy (as highlighted earlier) and the air force (as the service came into being in the early and mid-twentieth century). 

In Singapore, the current three services of the SAF shares a standardised view with regards to colours, that is, the senior State Colours and junior Regimental Colours are applicable to all three services and their major formations within. The practice by the various armed services of the United Kingdom is however different. In short, the British Royal Navy only has Sovereign's Colours but not Regimental Colours. The British Royal Air Force has Sovereign's Colours for certain Commands & Formations while RAF Squadrons receive Standards. The British Army and Royal Marines have both Sovereign's Colours and Regimental Colours (for infantry units with similarities, differences, and exceptions in the design among certain units - Guard regiments having additional higher level State Colours, and lower level Company Colours for instance). Armoured corps (mounted units such as the cavalry and dragoons) have ceremonial Standards and/or Guidons instead, differing mainly in the matter of shape and sizes as compared to infantry Colours. Artillery units do not carry colours by tradition, their guns fulfilling this role instead. These differences in the system of colours between services did manifest in colonial Singapore as will be observed in section 4.1. Colours (also guidons and standards) have also only been granted to line units and not support formations (such as logistics and medical corps) in the British Army. In Australia, this tradition seems to have been kept and support units can be granted instead with banners that have a slightly lower correspondence to line units' colours. Colour-bearing operational units can also be granted with such banners however.

The above summary mainly relates to the experience and practice of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. In several other countries as will be noted in the Postscript section, some of these principles and concepts of colours have also been extended to non-military but regimented services such as the police and fire service.

Besides being paraded, colours are also displayed indoors often. At occasions such as SAF Sword-Presentation Ceremonies, Dining-In ceremonies and in official photographs of the Service Chiefs, the appropriate colour(s) will be displayed as part of the backdrop.

iii. The Historical Developments of the Types of Colours in the SAF

Details will be covered in the appropriate sections to follow but in brief and as a general overview, the historical development of the colours in the SAF can generally be divided into two time periods; the pre-1997 and post 1997 systems. In the pre-1997 period, the SAF had a three-level system for colours as listed below. Regimental Colours traditionally were the domain of line units of the army. Regimental Colours were however also applied at service-level in the pre-1997 system of colours in Singapore, which effectively created an intermediate level. There were thus the following types of colours as at 1997: 

a) State Colours,
- of the various units and formations within the Army
- of the various joint-service units and formations of the SAF
- of the Navy as a command within the SAF
- of the Air Force as a command within the SAF
- of the Navy and Air Force units and formations as well in 1996

b) Service-Regimental Colours (of the Army, Navy, and Air Force)

c) Unit/Formation Regimental Colours

On 20th October 1991, there was an overhaul in the design of the then-existing State Colours of the army units & formations and the State Colours of the naval and air force commands. The SAF emblem and blue scroll on the army unit/formation State Colours was altered in its depiction and the State Colours of the Singapore navy and air force used their own respective service emblems, instead of the SAF emblem and scroll, as was the case before.

In 1997, the various unit/formation State Colours of the Army, Navy and Air Force were retired. In the place of the retired Army unit/formation State Colours, the Army (and joint units) was presented with a single unified State Colour similar to those of the Air Force and the Navy. One of the unit/formation State Colours, that of SAFTI Military Institute, was spared the retirement however. The navy and air force also retained their respective service State Colour. The three Service-Regimental Colours were also retired in 1997. Thus, the streamlining of the system brought about the two-level system that is in practice today, comprising:

a) Service State Colours (referred to collectively as the SAF State Colours), including the sole Unit State Colour of SAFTI Military Institute

b) Unit/Formation Regimental Colours (referred to collectively as the SAF Regimental Colours)

iv. Presentation of Colours Ceremony and Trooping of the Colours

Trooping the Colours is a ceremony that is held on SAF Day Parades, RSN Day Parades and RSAF Day Parades. The purpose of Trooping in the past is to acquaint the troops in the field to their colours before a battle. Now, it is used to instill pride to the personnel and a show of the military prowess of the units. The trooping (on SAF Day) will consist of the three State Colours being marched-past slowly before the contingents. If there are newly presented Regimental Colours for that given year, they will simultaneously be trooped with the three service State Colours. This ceremony has been downsized unlike the lavish full ceremony as observed in the United Kingdom. While all the State Colours (except SAFTI Military Institute) and Regimental Colours of the three Services are paraded on SAF Day Parade, on RSN Day and RSAF Day, only the State and Regimental Colours of the two respective Services are paraded and trooped.

All contingents will 'Present Arms' during the trooping. When the colours are trooped on SAF Day Parade, the SAF Military Police Guard-of-Honour Contingent will march into the ranks of the army, navy, and air force Guard-of-Honour Contingents, parallel and equal to the direction of march of the trooped colours. In addition, a military police officer will also escort the colours.

The SAF Presentation of Colours ceremony is when the new colours are consecrated and presented by the President to the Unit concerned done on SAF Day Parades. Previously and traditionally, drums will be piled, and the new colours will be uncased/unfurled and placed on these drums. Nowadays, it is done off-parade before the parade commences. Religious leaders will consecrate the colour(s) and the President will present the colour(s) to the respective unit(s). The new colour(s) will then be trooped together with the State Colours during the trooping segment of the SAF Day Parade.

v. Protocols

Colours are to be treated with appropriate protocol different from those observed by other general flags. A manual is usually available as a guide to their use. Personally, I have not seen the SAF version. The Canadian Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial: Chapter 8, Flags and Colours is one such example of a detailed manual. The practices are very similar to that in Singapore, given the historical links within the Commonwealth. An alternative example would be the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Ceremonial and Protocol Guide for the RCMP Guidon.

Some issues to note include:-

• The Composition of the Colour Party
  - SAF Junior Officer will carry the colour and armed with the ceremonial sword
  - Colour to be escorted with armed personnel of other lower ranks (Sergeants, etc.)

• Colour Drills
  - Commands and movements for the colours
  - In Singapore, the Regimental Colours dip in salute where necessary (to the Prime Minister, President, etc.). The State Colours only dip in salute to the President (and visiting dignitaries of equivalent status)

• Uncasing of the Colour
  - Colours are to be kept in a black leather case when not on parade
  - A small ceremony is to be held to uncase the colours before a parade that requires the parading of colours, in presence and under the guard of the Guard(s)-of-Honour
  See: Uncasing of Colours Ceremony held for the National Day Parade Preview on 28th July 2007 in pictures

• Positions on Parade
  - Arrangement of colours
  - In Singapore, the order of arrangement of the military State Colours are SAF (Army), Navy and followed by the Air Force, as per their service flags. The SAFTI Military Institute State Colour is not paraded on National Day Parades. If such a display is required (which does not seem to have ever occurred), it shall take fourth position, except on Officers Commissioning Ceremonies where it is placed in-lieu of the SAF (Army) State Colour and take precedence over the other two service State Colours. From end 2008 onwards, only the SAFTI Military Institute State Colour and Regimental Colour is paraded at such Commissioning Ceremonies. 

vi. Overview of Designs

The design of the State Colours has the national flag as the basis with the respective emblems of the three Services in the lower fly. The SAFTI Military Institute State Colour, is similar to the Singapore Armed Forces (Army) State Colour but with another additional blue scroll bearing its name, as a result of the historical evolution of the colours system in Singapore.

The Regimental Colours are generally simple unicoloured or multicoloured in design with the formation's insignia, as it is, or with additional charges (such as additional laurels, etc.). Roman numerals are used to differentiate different battalions where necessary. Example, the 1st Guards Battalion's Regimental Colour has the Roman numeral "I" embroidered on its top left hand corner. This is however not practised by the Armoured Regiments, who uses standard western Arabic numerals. Proportions of the military colours are almost square-like, about 3:4, shorter than the standard service flags (2:3).

vii. Streamers

In addition, Streamers may be granted for exceptional service or success in a given mission. It is to be attached to the top of their Regimental Colour. The HQ Commandos were presented with a streamer for their success in putting down a hijack attempt onboard a Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 117 on 27th March 1991. The streamer is a long piece of ribbon attached to the top of their Headquarters Regimental Colour. It is horizontally divided into white-red-white-red-white, with the red stripes significantly broader than the white stripes. It is inscribed with "Changi 1991" in gold at the centre.

Accordingly, the RSAF's Tactical Air Support Command (TASC) received a campaign streamer as well, that is attached to their Regimental Colour. The Streamer is navy blue with a red stripe between two thin yellow lines throughout its length and inscribed with "Timika 1996" in white. Details of this operation is uncertain.

viii. Other Parade & Ceremonial Flags

Currently there is the existence of more than one type of Parade & Ceremonial Flags in Singapore. While military colours have been the better-known ones as a result of a longer history and frequent display, the SCDF only began parading their unit/formation parade flags at Civil Defence Day Parades since 2003. However, the SCDF service parade flag predates 2003. These parade flags are not consecrated like military colours, but observe some of the traditions and practices of colours, such as being escorted when on parade. There are also ceremonial flags used by the respective cadet corps, and other ceremonial banners and lance pennons as well. The adoption of parade & ceremonial flags by non-military but regimented uniformed services is not really new and the practice in several other countries will be highlighted in the Postscript section at the end of this page.

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Introduction & Overview

It would be appropriate in my opinion that the military colours in colonial Singapore were presented first as a precedent to the discussion on the military colours of independent Singapore because the traditions of military colours in Singapore today has its roots from the practices of the British military forces. This section considers the colours that were presented in the colony during the colonial period where information is available. The colours system of the different military services (and formations as well) varies in the UK armed forces, some as will be seen reflected in this section. Colonial Singapore witnessed the evolution and development of the British colours in the matter of changes in design and practices within and across the various services. Apart from Sovereign's and Regimental Colours, guidons did not seem to have been paraded in colonial Singapore but there was the existence of the Royal Air Force's and Royal Australian Air Force's Squadron Standards at least.

Army units eligible to carry colours typically carry two colours, the Sovereign's Colour and the Regimental Colour; an instruction that was first mentioned in a 1743 warrant. The purpose and symbol of each colour as summarised in the words of King George VI is as follow:

".. it is the King's colour, and therefore the symbol of the loyalty which you owe to your country. This then is the paramount of the two. That colour [the Regimental Colour] which represents the regiment... enshrines the history, embodies the traditions and represents the ideals [of the regiment]..."

Army colours, in British and Commonwealth history, lost their place in the battlefield in the aftermath review of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Thereafter, infantry colours became predominantly ceremonial. The Royal Navy was granted their ceremonial Sovereign's Colours equivalent to the Sovereign's Colours of army units from 1925 onwards. The navy however had some of their own flag practices for landing parties in the past although their main form of identification were their naval ensigns flown at the vessel's stern. The navy's infantry that was formed since around the 1600s (today the Royal Marines) had colours that paralleled the Army infantry/line regiments. The Royal Air Force was granted ceremonial Squadron Standards from 1943 onwards (declared on paper but with actual presentations made only after 1950) and Sovereign's Colours from 1948 onwards.

Some documentation with regard to the colonial Singapore colours are available at the UK National Archives. The document reference codes where available has been included. Also to be noted is that military units from other parts of the empire that were stationed in the colony of Singapore as part of their overseas tour would have also kept their ceremonial flags with them (for units in which Colours were applicable). Further readings about the various colonial Singapore and Malayan forces on the web include The Malayan Volunteer Forces by Rosemary Fell and the Malayan Volunteers Group website.

The United Kingdom and several Commonwealth nations retained their military presence in Singapore after independence in 1965 until 1971 when the British decided for a full withdrawal from the Far East. On 25 September 1971, a New Zealand unit based at Dieppe Barracks in Singapore, the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, was presented with their new Queen's & Regimental Colours (these Colours were retired and replaced in 1997). See the excellent Digger History website on the 1RNZIR Colours for more details.

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4.1A - SINGAPORE VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS

The Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps was presented with a colour on the evening of 14th February 1857. It was also in that year that their formation was officially recognised by the Government of British India of which the Colony of the Straits Settlements was then subject to. Mrs Butterworth, the then-Governor's wife, prepared the Regimental Colour. Their Regimental Colour was green (assumed as their regimental facings were supposedly green), with a Union Flag as the canton. In the centre of the flag is a scroll that reads "Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps". The image described and shown here follows that which is described in A History of the Singapore Volunteer Corps 1854-1937 by Captain T. M. Winsley of the Singapore Volunteer Corps, published in 1938.

The Regimental Colour was based on the old British design for those days (pre-1868 design), in which it was of a larger dimension and it had the Union Flag in the canton. The field of the Regimental Colours of the pre-1868 design has the same colour as the regimental facings (all as instructed in a 1743 warrant regarding future colours). Those days, the pike (flagstaff) had a spearhead, not a lion on a crown, as can be observed later. The Corps did not have a Sovereign's Colour. The book mentions that the colour lasted for 25 years. It rotted away and its existence was only rediscovered in 1937, through a photograph of the Corps. Rifle corps traditionally do not carry flags due to the nature of their operations. The adoption of one here is thus rather exceptional. 

The absence of a Sovereign's Colour (which was based on the Union Flag if granted) was normal during those days. It was noted by the author that it was common that some units had only one colour, two colours or even three colours. The principle of parading only two colours was documented in the King's Regulations of 1st June 1837 although this was instructed earlier in the 1743 warrant. The Rifle Corps was disbanded in 1887 to be reinstated later (under a different name) as one of the several units under the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force.

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4.1B - STRAITS SETTLEMENTS VOLUNTEER FORCE

The book by Captain T. M. Winsley stated that in September 1933, HM King George V allowed the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force to be granted with Sovereign's Colours and Regimental Colours. The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force was a result of the amalgamation, in 1922, of the then-already existing: 

a) Penang & Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps (P&PWVC)
b) Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC)
c) Malacca Volunteer Corps (MVC)
d) Labuan Volunteer Defence Detachment

Each Corps within the Force received a Sovereign's Colour and a Regimental Colour of similar design. P&PWVC were presented with theirs on 21st May 1934, the SVC received theirs on 26th May 1934 and MVC were presented with theirs on 7th July 1934. There was no mention of the Labuan Detachment receiving any colours. The design of the SSVF Sovereign's and Regimental Colours was based on the royal orders of 1926 and 1930 that prescribed the general template/design for such colours that were to be granted from these years henceforth.

The King's Colours of each Corps was similar to the present-day British Army Sovereign's Colours for line/infantry regiments. It had the Union Flag as the field charged in the centre of the St George's Cross, the Title of the Corps. On all three King's Colours, the inscription along the circumference of the Title of the Corps reads "Straits Settlements Volunteer Force" in gold on crimson. The Title is inscribed with "Penang & Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps", "Malacca Volunteer Corps" or "Singapore Volunteer Corps" respectively in the centre, in gold on crimson. The Titles were surmounted with the imperial crown. The King's Colours were fringed, tasseled and corded accordingly.

The Regimental Colours of each Corps had at the centre, the quartered shield of the Straits Settlements of 1911 (see General History of Malaya and Singapore section on Page 1), encircled within the inscription "Straits Settlements Volunteer Force".  The badge was surmounted with the imperial crown and it was wreathed within a garland composed of English roses, Scottish thistles and Irish shamrocks - the national floral emblems of the nations of the United Kingdom.

The difference for the Regimental Colours lies in the silk field of each Regimental Colour. P&PWVC had a blue field, SVC had a green field and MVC had a buff field. In addition, a scroll bearing the respective name of the Corps appear beneath the SSVF Title, Straits Settlements' Arms (shield only) and wreath, in different colours as well.

By then, the British had already began to use the lion on crown finials on their pikes and it was prevalent on the colours of the three Corps. The crown depicted in all devices, flags, and badges then was of the Imperial/Tudor design. Only in 1953, was the order issued by Her Majesty that the crowns used henceforth was to be of the St Edward's design. The stands of colours shown from top to bottom in this section are those of the P&PWVC, SVC, and MVC respectively. The lion (a lion statant guardant) on the crown is referred to as the British Royal Crest and forms part of the full achievement of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There is a document at the UK National Archives with regards to these colours. (Reference code - CO 323/1222/7: Regimental Colours for Straits Settlements Volunteer Force)

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4.1C - SINGAPORE VOLUNTEER CORPS (After 1954)

The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force was disbanded in 1954 and the Singapore Volunteer Corps was re-formed hence reflecting the change towards the administration of the British possessions in Malaya, Singapore becoming a separate crown colony whilst the various entities on the Malay peninsula were federated. The Governor of Singapore, Sir John Nicoll, presented the colours of the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC) to mark their centenary in 1954. It was also mentioned that it was to replace the one lost (4.1B) during the course of the Second World War.

The badge of the Singapore Volunteer Corps appearing on the Regimental Colour has a crimson disc. The centre features a gold lion statant on a green piece of turf with a coloured coconut palm. The title of the corps, "The Singapore Volunteer Corps" is inscribed in gold around the charges. The badge is ensigned with a crown (St Edward's crown). The SVC badge featuring the lion and coconut palm was adopted in 1928 although it was not used on their Regimental Colour of 1934 (the Straits Settlements Arms as used instead). The lion set against the palm tree was the crest of the Singapore Municipal Commission. (see General History section on Page 1)

The design of the SVC Sovereign's and Regimental Colours was based on the royal orders of 1926 and 1930 that prescribed the general template/design for such colours that were to be granted from these years henceforth.

The Queen's Colour of the Singapore Volunteer Corps (left) was in the traditional British Army infantry style. Its field was the Royal Union Flag, in much shorter proportions. The SVC Title was charged in the centre of the St George's cross, ensigned with the royal crown. The Queen's Colour was fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly. Such colours were also otherwise called a Sovereign's Colour or alternatively called a King's Colour should the reigning monarch be a king. Since it was presented during the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II, it was referred to as the Queen's Colour.

The Regimental Colour of the Singapore Volunteer Corps (right) was dark blue, with their badge in the centre. The four corners are made up of green triangles possibly as a symbolic retention of the links to the unit under the former SSVF. In addition to the badge and royal crown, the emblem was wreathed with a garland comprising English roses, Scottish thistles, Irish shamrocks - the national floral emblems of the nations of the United Kingdom. The immediate yellow scroll that appears below the emblem was inscribed with their motto "In Oriente Primus", Latin for "First in the East", now the motto of Singapore Artillery. The Regimental Colour was fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly. There were also five scrolls that were inscribed with the SVC's participation in various battles such as the Second World War. These scrolls are known as "Battle Honours".

The pikes feature the lion on crown (the British Royal Crest) as the finials. When Singapore became independent, these colours were retired. Initially kept at their former SVC Headquarters, they are now kept by Mindef.

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4.1D - 1st BATTALION, SINGAPORE INFANTRY REGIMENT

There was also formed on 12th March 1957, the 1st Battalion of the Singapore Infantry Regiment (1SIR), as British Singapore slowly edged towards self-government. According to Mindef's website, on 11th March 1961, a ceremony was held at Ulu Pandan Camp to mark the change of the Battalion Cap Badge of the Singapore Infantry Regiment. The old Regimental Badge had the colonial emblem of a lion standing on a tower (from the Arms of the Colony of Singapore granted in 1948 as illustrated on Page 1's General History section). The one in use today (the SAF badge) replaced it.

On 27th July of 1961, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore, Encik Yusof Bin Ishak presented the Queen's Colour and the Regimental Colour to 1SIR. The Regimental Colour was retained after Singapore's independence in 1965 and was replaced officially 21 years later on 7th November 1982, with one of a similar design.

According to an article "Akan, Bukan Belum" by R.W.S. published in the Journal of SIR, Volume II of December 1959, the 1SIR was supposed to receive their Queen's and Regimental Colours in February 1960. The author mentions that the badge to be charged on the Regimental Colour was that of the lion on a tower, with their inscription "Singapore Infantry" all on a red background. It stated that their Regimental Colour was to be yellow with the roman numeral "I" on the top left-hand corner. The wreath on the Regimental Colour that were mentioned were however palm leaves, unlike that of the Singapore Volunteer Corps nor the usual wreath made up of the floral emblems of the United Kingdom. The Queen's Colour as per normal was to have the Union Flag as the field, corps' title, etc.

The retention of the regimental colours' general template but with the substitution of the typical British wreath (rose, thistle, and shamrocks) with a wreath made up of local flora was and is also apparent on the various colours of the Commonwealth countries - Canadian colours depict a wreath made up of maple leaves, Australian colours feature a wreath made up of golden wattles, and New Zealand colours feature a wreath made up of fern fronds. 

Due to some unknown reason, the colours were not presented as planned in 1960 being presented instead in 1961. A likely cause was the unveiling of the new (present) flag of Singapore and the new (present) arms in December 1959. 

The Queen's Colour (left of the two flags) of 1SIR when Singapore was a British colony, was in the standard infantry pattern of a Union Flag as the field with the regiment's title ensigned with the royal crown charged at the centre of the St George's cross (as per the 1926 royal order on designs of colours). The Title was "The Singapore Infantry" and within it was a gold roman numeral "I" for the 1st battalion. The pike featured the standard finials as used by the British Army, a lion on the crown (the British Royal Crest). The Queen's Colour has since been retired upon Singapore's independence. After independence, the 1SIR did not have a senior colour for several years until they were granted their Unit State Colour in 1976 as will be detailed in section 4.2 to follow. 

Eventually, when the Regimental Colour was presented in 1961, it was not exactly the described design as detailed in the Journal of SIR. Instead, the 1SIR was then granted with a Regimental Colour (right of the two flags) featuring ever for the first time, (part of) the Singapore coat of arms (the original water spurts compartment and motto-scroll being replaced with palm fronds). It was in the exact design of the current 1SIR Regimental Colour and survived independence making it the oldest colour in terms of design in Singapore. The finial was however not the British Royal Crest, but was like today's, a conical spearhead. The design of the 1SIR Regimental Colour departed from the royal orders of 1926 and 1930 that laid down the template design of all regimental colours of the British Army. There is a document at the UK National Archives with regards to these colours. (Reference code: CO 968/645: Queen's and Regimental Colours for the Armed Forces of Singapore) 

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4.1E - ROYAL AIR FORCE (FAR EAST AIR FORCE)

The establishments of the Royal Air Force (RAF) such as the air bases in the region were administered under the command known as the Far East Air Force*. The Headquarters of the RAF in the Far East was in the Colony of Singapore. RAF also trains and supervises air volunteer units in Singapore & Malaya such as the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force. 

The ceremonial flags system of the RAF follows somewhat the arrangement as in the British Army. There are two levels of ceremonial flags in the Royal Air Force, the senior Sovereign's Colours presented to the service as a whole, Unit Sovereign's Colours granted to certain operational units, and the junior Squadron Standards which are presented to the various operational air force squadrons. These ceremonial flags are however not adopted in pairs like the stand of colours-style of the British Army infantry/line regiments. These ceremonial flags are restricted to operational units only, a principle parallel to the army system of only infantry/line units being allowed to carry colours.

* The 'Far East Air Force' had a few name changes in its history. In the 1930s, the formation was known as 'Royal Air Force Base, Singapore'. The Headquarters Royal Air Force Far East Command was set up on 1st December 1933. At the fall of Singapore in 1942, the 'Royal Air Force Far East' withdrew westward to India and was regrouped under 'Air Headquarters Bengal'. In November 1943, the 'Air Command, Southeast Asia' was formed. It was renamed the 'Air Command Far East' on 30th November 1946. The name 'Far East Air Force' was used since 30th June 1949. Headquarters Far East Air Force was formed on 28th November 1962.

4.1E.I - The Queen's Colour of the Far East Air Force

On 13th July 1961, the Far East Air Force (FEAF) was presented with a Queen's Colour. The Colour was presented by the Earl of Selkirk at RAF Changi in Singapore, which was also the Headquarters of the Far East Air Force w.e.f November 1962. The Colour was laid up on 13th June 1972.

The Queen's Colour of the FEAF was similar in design to several other Queen's Colours in the RAF establishment. Far East Air Force's had a light blue field and featured the Union Flag in the canton. The Royal Cypher "E II R" (Elizabeth II, Regina) of HM Queen Elizabeth II appears in gold at the centre ensigned with the royal crown. The lower fly is embroidered with a Chinese junk surmounting two keris (traditional Malay daggers) in saltire. The Chinese junk and Malay daggers were part of the unit emblem for the Headquarters FEAF. The Queen's Colour was fringed in light blue and gold, and completed with cords and tassels of similar colours. The pike had a gilded crown as a finial. (See Queen's Colour of the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom at the World Flag Database website for another example) 

Information on the Queen's Colour of the FEAF was derived from the UK National Archives Catalogue, document's reference code "CN 5/32" which had the description, "Far East Air Force: views of Command Operational Air Film Library and Presentation of the Queen's Colours to the Command, at RAF Changi, Singapore by the Earl of Selkirk, 1961". Information was also obtained from FOTW UK Royal Air Force page, where Ian Sumners has provided the dates. David Prothero has informed me that the Queen's Colour is now laid up at St Clements Danes Church in London while Malcolm Barrass has provided me the information on the design of the Queen's Colour of the FEAF.

4.1E.II - Royal Air Force Squadron Standard (RAF No. 45 Squadron)

From the National Archives of Singapore, photographs dated 9th February 1955, showed a "Colour" being presented at the RAF Tengah Station. (Negative Numbers: A1239/01, A1239/02, A1239/04, A1239/06). Based on the description given by Ian Sumner on the FOTW : UK Royal Air Force page (under the sub-heading of Queen's Colours of the RAF), the "Colour" in the photographs above conform in design to that of an "RAF Squadron Standard". RAF Squadrons do not carry "Colours" but "Standards" which are presented to Squadrons after 25 years of service. These Squadron Standards are equivalent to the Regimental Colours of the army.

Squadron Standards feature the following:

- Squadron unit badge in the centre of the Standard,
- Battle Honours are embroidered on the Standard, like the practice on the British Army's colours
- The Standard is embroidered with British floral wreath along its border comprising of English roses, Scottish thistles, Irish shamrocks, and Welsh leeks,
- The pike to which the Standard is attached has the RAF eagle as the finial.

National Archives did not mention which Squadron received the Standard. However, based on information from Air of Authority website, the only Squadron Standard that was presented for the corresponding period (February 1955) was that belonging to No. 45 Squadron. This squadron was based in Singapore/Malaya for its operations during the Malayan Emergency, from 1949 to November 1957. The history and unit badge of Squadron 45, featuring a winged camel, can be read & seen at the Air of Authority website or at the Royal Air Force website. 

Malcolm Barrass, the editor of the Air of Authority website has kindly confirmed that the photographs at National Archives referred to the No. 45 Squadron, based on the above details as well as the recognition of the type of aircraft used by the Squadron as seen in the photographs. An excellent coloured example of an RAF Squadron Standard can be seen at the World Flag Database: UK Military Colours. The current formation emblems of the Singapore air force is similar to those of the RAF template-wise as will be highlighted in the segment on the Regimental Colours of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. 

4.1E.III - Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Standard (RAAF No. 1 Squadron)

Besides the British Royal Air Force squadrons, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons were also frequently based in the colony of Singapore. The Royal Australian Air Force Manual of Ceremonial publication mentions that one of their squadrons, the RAAF No.1 Squadron, were presented with their Squadron Standard on 12th September 1957 at RAF Tengah Station.

The Squadron Standard of RAAF No.1 Squadron would have followed the pattern as used by the Royal Air Force as described above, the squadron unit badge charged in the centre of a light blue field, with battle honours to the badge's left and right. The wreath that borders the standard however would have had Australian wattles incorporated into the standard British wreath comprising English roses, Scottish thistles, Irish shamrocks, and Welsh leeks. The standard would have been fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly, and attached to a pike with an eagle as the finial similar to the RAF.

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4.1F - ROYAL NAVY FAR EAST STATION

The Royal Navy's global operations were similarly divided into geographic regions on the world map. British Singapore was part of the division / command known as the Far East Station and formerly, China Station.

The Sovereign's Colours of the Royal Navy East Indies Station and Far East Station

Before WWII, Singapore was considered as part of the Royal Navy's China Station that spanned the western Pacific Ocean. The Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region formed the Royal Navy's East Indies Station. When HM King George V first granted Sovereign's Colours to the Royal Navy commands, overseas stations, as well as the navies of the dominions and India in 1925, it was commanded that China Station was not to receive such colours and as such it never had colours throughout. The East Indies Station however were granted colours and possessed them during the subsequent reign of HM King George VI. The dates of their presentations are uncertain. For WWII, the Royal Navy's China Station and East Indies Station were merged. This arrangement remained after the war to become the Far East Station. An image of the King's Birthday Parade in Singapore in 1950 shows naval personnel parading a colour which could have been the King's Colour of the East Indies Station. (PICAS Negative No. A0105/26/13)

The King's Colour of the Royal Navy East Indies Station would have been similar to others granted during King George VI's reign. It was similar in design to those granted previously during King George V's reign in which the king's cypher, garter, and imperial crown was charged at the centre of a silk shorter version of the Royal Navy White Ensign. King George VI's cypher had "G VI R" for George VI, Rex. This basic template of a white ensign charged with the sovereign's cypher to form a Sovereign's Colour is still used today. 

HM Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952. The existing Sovereign's Colours with King George VI's cypher were commanded to be used still if they were in good condition. The colours are now to be referred to as the Queen's Colour however. The East Indies Station Colour was officially laid up in 1958 upon the formal closure of the command. A new colour, now bearing Queen Elizabeth II's cypher (E II R), for the Far East Station was presented a year earlier. 

From the National Archives of Singapore, photographs dated 23rd September 1957 was captioned as "Presenting the Queen's Colours to the Far East Station HMS Terror by H.E. Sir Robert Black". (PICAS Negatives Nos A2098/01, A2098/03, A2098/04, A2098/05). HMS Terror was one of the Royal Navy's shore establishments in British Singapore. The Singapore Armed Forces has since taken over the premises. According to the Annual Colony of Singapore Reports for 1957, a contingent each from the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Malayan Navy was present at the ceremony.

The design of the Queen's Colour of the Royal Navy Far East Station should be similar to other present Queen's Colours of the Royal Navy as there is only one standard design throughout for such colours. It is basically a silk shorter variant of the Royal Navy White Ensign, charged with the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, encircled within the royal garter in blue which is inscribed with "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense", on the red St George's cross. The cypher and garter is to be surmounted with the royal crown. The Queen's Colour is to be completed with cords and tassels (the Queen's Colours of the Royal Navy does not feature fringes) and is attached to a pike which features a royal crown surmounting a three faced shield charged with anchors as the finial. The Queen's Colours of the Royal Navy can also be seen at the World Flag Database: UK Military Colours page. Apart from the Sovereign's Colours, the Royal Navy does not have junior-level ceremonial flags equivalent to the Regimental Colours, as understood in the context of the British Army, or Squadron Standards, as understood in the context of the Royal Air Force. The Sovereign's Colours of the Royal Navy also do not bear any battle honours. The navy's infantry, the Royal Marines, have Sovereign's Colours and Regimental Colours in a system similar to the British Army infantry-type formations. 

For more information and history of the Sovereign's Colours of the Royal Navy, see the FOTW: UK Royal Navy page. I would like to acknowledge David Prothero for his work in tracing the events related to the adoption and evolution of the sovereign's colours of the Royal Navy. At the FOTW page, readers are also able to read a detailed account on how Colours, as an initially Army tradition, was adopted by the Royal Navy for ceremonial and parade purposes due to ceremonial complications when the navy was in parade with the land forces. The Royal Navy only began receiving and parading Sovereign's Colours since c.1925. "Colours" in the navy originally and continues to be used as a reference to all flags hoisted on a vessel (the war ensign, rank flags, etc.). 

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4.1G - OTHER LOCALLY RAISED/STAFFED MILITARY UNITS IN MALAYA & SINGAPORE

Apart from the units mentioned above, there were also other local units that were raised or formed throughout the Malay peninsula. It has come to my attention that those of the Federated Malay States were presented Colours although it seems that they were only granted with Regimental Colours and not Sovereign's Colours. This was perhaps because of British indirect rule over the Malay states as compared to the Straits Settlements where they had a more direct governing arrangement. The unfederated Malay States seemed to have had locally raised troops of some sort but the adoption of colours, if any, are unconfirmed at this point.

4.1G.I - Federated Malay States Volunteer Force (FMSVF) 

There was for instance the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force (FMSVF) created in the 1930s from the reorganisation of the former Malay States Volunteer Rifles. A battalion existed in each of the states of Perak (1st Battalion), Selangor (2nd Battalion), Negeri Sembilan (3rd Battalion), and Pahang (4th Battalion). Regimental Colours were presented to the FMSVF battalions with Selangor battalion being the first to receive theirs in June 1933. Specific details of these colours are however rather sketchy. (With thanks to Audrey McCormick for providing this information)

4.1G.II - Malay Regiment (Rejimen Askar Melayu) 

Another important Malayan unit that was raised was the Malay Regiment (Rejimen Askar Melayu) established officially in March 1933 initially as the Experimental Company. The number of battalions of the Malay Regiment increased as the years passed and they are today the Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (Royal Malay Regiment) in the Malaysian army. The Malay Regiment (there were seven battalions by the time the Federation of Malaya gained independence in 1957) were presented with their Regimental Colours in different years at different locations across Malaya. The dates of presentation (the 2nd battalion being the first to receive theirs in 1949) for the respective battalions in numerical sequence, 1st to 7th, were February 1950, September 1949, April 1952, July 1953, September 1953, October 1955, and August 1956. The battalions were not in possession of Sovereign's Colours prior to Malaya's independence. The first two battalions of the Malay Regiment saw combat in Singapore during the Japanese invasion of Singapore.

The regimental badge of the Malay Regiment had then and still feature today two tigers rampant supporting a circular scroll inscribed with the motto of the regiment in the Malay language written in the Jawi script, 'Ta'at Setia' (Malay for 'loyal and true'). A five-pointed ancient crown surmounts the circular scroll. Within the circular scroll appears a keris and a scabbard in saltire. Another scroll with the regiment's name (Askar Melayu) in the Malay language written in the Jawi script appears  at the base of the circular scroll. Regimental Colours were only presented to the war-experienced 1st and 2nd battalions of the regiment after the war although proposals were submitted c.1938. None of the Colours were presented in Singapore and it is also uncertain if they were ever paraded in Singapore. The design of the Colours if I am not mistaken, are very much similar to those presently used; a plain green field charged with the entire regimental badge at the centre and the flag completed with fringes in alternating blocks of red and yellow as well as cords with tassels. The battalion numeral is charged in the canton region of the colour as a mark of differentiation. Green, red, and yellow are the livery colours of the Malay Regiment since its inception representing respectively the Islamic faith, the British Army, and Malay royalty. The design of the Regimental Colours differs to an extent from the usual British Army regimental colour template. On the Malay Regiment colours, the regimental badge was not placed within any wreath. The Regimental Colours' fringes comprising alternating blocks of two different colours was also quite unique.  

4.1G.III - Singapore Guard Regiment 

A British military unit by the name of the Singapore Guard Regiment existed in Singapore from the 1950s and were disbanded in 1971 when the British military forces withdrew from Singapore. The Regiment was based in Colombo Camp at Clementi and comprised initially British later Malayan/Singapore officers and mainly Malay other ranks. I was informed that the first personnel were from the Royal Pioneer Corps. The duties of the regiment was mainly as guards of the military establishments. They were also involved in the Konfrontasi operations of the 1960s. 

Peter Dunlop provided me a photograph of a certain ceremonial flag the status of which is unconfirmed. It is square, diagonally divided per bend thus giving the flag red and white triangle segments. At the centre is a gold lion passant guardant on an embattled base (being the top of a tower) all seemingly similar to the Arms of Singapore (a lion passant guardant standing on a tower) as mentioned on page 1. A yellow title scroll inscribed with "The Singapore Guard Regiment" appears below the embattlement and lion. The flag was fringed in gold and attached to a wooden pike. Peter Dunlop mentions that it was displayed at the officer mess and was the "commanding officer's personal banner". The practice probably paralleled the British Guard regiments' Company Colours system, which comprise flags for the personalities of the regiment (commanding officer, adjuntant, and regimental adjuntant for instance), and for the individual battalions and companies of a regiment. This practice of having such lower level colours had its origins from around the 17th century. 

This unit is not to be confused with the Guards battalions of the Singapore Armed Forces after independence. A War Office document at the British National Archives with the following number, WO 32/19556 has the following description - "Singapore Guard Regiment: proposal for it to have colours and a colonel". (With thanks to Joe Scully and Peter Dunlop.)

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Singapore was proclaimed a republic in 1965, after its secession from Malaysia. Thus began the development of Singapore's own armed forces. The traditions of colours were continued but evolved in its own way. These sections (4.2 & 4.3) focuses on the Colours of Singapore since independence in 1965, and their development over the years to the present day. One particular Regimental Colour however crossed the timeline from colonial Singapore to independent Singapore, and that is the 1st SIR Regimental Colour which was presented in 1961 and was replaced only later in 1982, but design remained the same to the present day.

The first type or class of colours are the State Colours equivalent to the senior colour, the Sovereign's Colour in the two colours system of the British Army. Currrently, there are four of them, one for each military service and one for SAFTI Military Institute. Prior to 1997, there were numerous other State Colours for the various units & formations of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Navy and the Air Force as commands of the SAF.

4.2A - SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES (ARMY)

4.2A.I - The SAF (Army) State Colour since 1997

The current SAF State Colour was only granted on 1st July 1997. While it is referred to officially as the SAF State Colour, the Colour is to be carried by Army unit/formations thus representing them as a whole. Joint-service units/formations such as the SAF Medical Corps and the SAF Military Police Command are also to parade this Colour where necessary and thus it would not be accurate if it were to be referred to as the Army State Colour. On the other hand, although this Colour is referred to as the SAF State Colour, the Navy and Air Force will parade their own respective State Colour where necessary. Thus the term SAF here is a reference to the Army and joint-service units/formations mainly. To further clarify this point, 'SAF (Army)' will be used on this page to distinguish this reference from the normal understanding of the term Singapore Armed Forces that is used to refer to the army, navy and air force as a collective whole. Nonetheless, in a second interpretation, it is perhaps possible that the navy and air force be permitted to parade this colour if the armed forces is regarded strictly as a unified force as legislation entails; the similar looking SAF flag being the flag that represents the armed forces as a whole. This situation has yet to occur and based on current practices, the first interpretation will be adhered to. 

The current State Colour for the Army and joint-service units is the national flag with the current SAF emblem embroidered on the lower fly. Manufactured without the embroidery and fringes, it is the design of the SAF Tri-Service flag. However, the SAF emblem appears larger on the SAF Tri-Service flag than on the State Colour if a comparison is made. This SAF State Colour is not paraded at officer commissioning parades replaced instead with the SAFTI Military Institute State Colour.

The honour of guarding and parading the SAF (Army) State Colour will be given to the winner of the annual Army Best Combat Unit competition. It will be presented to the winning unit's contingent on SAF Day Parade. Winners of this competition will get to form the Army Guard-of-Honour Contingent of the upcoming SAF Day Parade and National Day Parade for the year. Prior to 1997, the winners of the annual Best Combat Unit competition were presented with the SAF (Army) Service-Regimental Colour. The list of winners prior to 1997 is provided under the section of SAF Service-Regimental Colour. The list below is for the winners of the competition since 1997:

Best Combat Unit Winners (1997 to Present)
For the list of winners prior to 1997, see Section 4.3A.I of this page

4.2A.II - The Pre-1997 SAF Unit/Formation State Colours System and the Current SAFTI Military Institute State Colour

Prior to 1997, units and formations of the Singapore Armed Forces were granted with Unit/Formation State Colours. There were two designs for the State Colour of Units/Formations. There was the pre-1991 design and the 1991 - 1997 design. There was no single unified State Colour to represent the Army (and joint-service units) collectively unlike the Navy and Air Force. The practice then was that a unit/formation would be granted initially with a Regimental Colour and subsequently with their 'personalised' State Colour a few years later.

The concept of having personalised State Colours for each unit/formation was in most likelihood the result of a practice as observed by the British Army, in which each unit/formation is equipped with a 'Stand of Colours', comprising of a King's/Queen's Colour and a Regimental Colour. As can be noted earlier under Sections 4.1B to 4.1D, it can be seen that the Sovereign's Colour for each Corps is differentiated with the Title of the Corps, thus no two Corps share a similar Sovereign's Colour. Similarly, quite a number of units/formations of the SAF had their own State Colour until 1997. One is however still in use today, that of SAFTI Military Institute. Where design is concerned, the Singapore national flag formed the basis of such Colours as is similarly observed by the British Army Infantry units in which the Union Flag forms the basis of the Sovereign's Colour.

4.2A.II.c - The SAFTI Military Institute State Colour

The acronym SAFTI (pronounced as a two syllable word) is for the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute, which was formerly based in Pasir Laba Camp in western Singapore. In time, the term SAFTI was affectionately used by all in the SAF, so much so that when a new institute was built for the SAF to replace the Pasir Laba Camp, nearby, they retained the name SAFTI but with the addition of the words "Military Institute", for the new camp. Henceforth, it became known as SAFTI Military Institute. 

SAFTI was granted a Regimental Colour on 16th June 1968 and was subsequently granted a Unit/Formation State Colour on 3rd October 1976. The SAFTI State Colour was first replaced in 1991 during the mass replacement of Unit/Formation State Colours, and in turn replaced once more on 1st July 1996.

The current State Colour of SAFTI Military Institute was based on the 1991 - 1997 design, with the scroll inscribed with their  name "SAFTI MILITARY INSTITUTE", and the Colour fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly. It is therefore the only unit of the SAF to have a complete stand of colours: a State Colour and a Regimental Colour.

The SAFTI Military Institute State Colour is however not paraded on National Day Parades. Where the display of all State Colours is necessary, the SAF (Army) State Colour will take precedence, the RSN State Colour will take second position, the RSAF State Colour will take third position and the SAFTI Military Institute State Colour will take fourth position. The SAFTI Military Institute State Colour is however paraded at Officer Cadet Commissioning Ceremonies. Until late 2008, at such commissioning parades, the SAFTI Military Institute State Colour will take precedence over the RSN State Colour and RSAF State Colour, and followed by the SAFTI Military Institute Regimental Colour. The SAF (Army) State Colour was never paraded at these parades. From end 2008 onwards, the original stand of colours system was observed at commissioning parades, i.e., only the SAFTI Military Institute State Colour and Regimental Colour will be paraded.

4.2A.II.d - List of SAF Units and Formations Presented with a State Colour

This list below provides for the Unit/Formation State Colours' chronological sequence of grant. The list does not include disbanded units such as the 2nd Guards battalion. These Colours have all since been retired except for SAFTI Military Institute's. The RSN and RSAF Service and Formation State Colours granted in 1977 and 1996 are explained further under their following respective Service sections.

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4.2B - REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE NAVY

4.2B.I - RSN State Colour of 1977 to 1991

The first RSN State Colour was presented at Jurong Stadium on 22nd January 1977 together with the RSN Service-Regimental Colour. The RSN State Colour presented that day was in the standard pre-1991 design similar to the ones granted to the Formation/Units of the Army (4.2A.II.a). Their State Colour did not feature the RSN emblem, but the SAF emblem with the additional blue scroll. It was retired and replaced with the one below in a ceremony held in 1991. This retired Colour is kept at the Singapore Navy Museum.

4.2B.II - RSN State Colour since 1991

The current State Colour of the Navy is the national flag with the RSN emblem embroidered on the lower fly and the flag fringed, tasseled and corded accordingly.

Officially, "the RSN emblem is an anchor, ridged by a spray of laurels and emblazoned at the centre by five stars, a crescent moon, flanked by a lion and tiger in a presentation of the national coat of arms [depicted without motto-scroll]. The spirit of the nation as symbolised by the crescent moon, five stars, the lion and tiger is also that of the spirit of the Navy, which is represented by the anchor. As the navy of rising stars, it has all the qualities depicted in the emblem. The lion stands for nobleness, courage and majesty. The tiger in the defence of these qualities is ever ready to spring in aggressiveness and ferocity. The laurels as the hallmarks of excellence are that of professional nobility of mind and action that go into the making of the Navy." Extracted from: 30th Anniversary, Navy News Special Edition. The article with regards to the RSN emblem was dated April 1st, 1975.

4.2B.II.a - Headquarters Fleet State Colour (1996 to 1997)

In 1996 an RSN formation, Headquarters Fleet, received a Unit/Formation State Colour. The HQ Fleet State Colour was similar to the RSN State Colour as shown above, but with an additional blue scroll inscribed with "FLEET" in gold, beneath the RSN emblem for the HQ Fleet State Colour. The RSN HQ Fleet State Colour was retired in 1997 and is currently kept at Changi Naval Base.

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4.2C - REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AIR FORCE

4.2C.I - RSAF State Colour of 1977 to 1991

The first RSAF State Colour was presented at Jurong Stadium on 22nd January 1977 together with the RSAF Service-Regimental Colour. The RSAF State Colour presented that day was in the standard pre-1991 design similar to the ones granted to the Formation/Units of the Army (4.2A.II.a). Their State Colour did not feature the RSAF emblem, but the SAF emblem with the additional blue scroll. It was retired and replaced with the one below in a ceremony held in 1991. 

4.2C.II - RSAF State Colour since 1991

The current State Colour of the Air Force is the national flag with RSAF emblem embroidered in the lower fly and the flag fringed, corded & tasseled accordingly.

The RSAF emblem has the State Arms [depicted without motto scroll] surmounting two silver wings garlanded by laurels. A silver banner with the initials "RSAF" appears at the base of the wings. 

"The RSAF [emblem] has come to symbolise the all-encompassing role air defence plays in Singapore's national security. It consists of the national coat of arms - a crescent moon and five stars upheld by a lion and a tiger - supported by the silver wings of the Air Force within a bowl of golden laurels.

The national banner of a young nation - symbolised by the crescent moon - is Equality, Peace, Progress, Democracy and Justice, as represented by the five stars. The banner flies high on the RSAF silver wings as it stands proud on a plane of laurels, a mark of excellence, purity and universal brotherhood." From the RSAF website.

4.2C.II.a - Sembawang Air Base State Colour (1996 to 1997)

In 1996 an RSAF formation, Sembawang Air Base, received a Unit/Formation State Colour. The Sembawang Air Base State Colour was similar to the RSAF State Colour as shown above, but with an additional gold scroll inscribed with "SEMBAWANG AIR BASE" in black, beneath the RSAF emblem for the Sembawang Air Base State Colour. The RSAF Sembawang Air Base State Colour was retired in 1997.

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There were two sets of Regimental Colours in the Singapore Armed Forces from 1969 to 1997. The first set was the Regimental Colours that represented the respective three services, and there were the Regimental Colours for formations/units of each service of the Singapore Armed Forces. After 1997, only the second set (Regimental Colours of the Units or Formations within each service) remained. 

4.3A - The Service-Regimental Colours of 1969 to 1997

From 1969 to 1997, the SAF practised the Service-Regimental Colours system, in addition to the State Colour system and Unit/Formation Regimental Colour system. During these years, new designs developed and this system was finally ceased in 1997. 

These Service-Regimental Colours formed the second level of Colours hierarchy for the period, the first being the State Colours and the third level being the Unit/Formation Regimental Colours. With the termination of this level, only the Services & SAFTI Military Institute State Colours and Unit/Formation Regimental Colours remain today.

These Colours were simply and confusingly referred to as 'SAF Colour', 'RSN Colour' or 'RSAF Colour' respectively in quite a number of publications. To differentiate these colours from the 'Unit/Formation State Colours', 'Service State Colours' and 'Unit/Formation Regimental Colours', they have been referred throughout these pages as 'Service-Regimental Colours', since they are ranked after the State Colours but before the Unit/Formation Regimental Colours and they represent the respective Services as a whole. 

4.3A.I - The Singapore Armed Forces (Army) Colour

4.3A.I.a - SAF (Army) Colour of 1969 to c.1972 Mindef states that the first SAF Colour was presented on 1st July 1969. From 1969 to 1971, images from National Archives led me to believe that the colour as shown on the left was the SAF Colour in existence for that period. In the photographs of 1969 to 1971, the colour that was presented and paraded was simply red over white without the crescent and stars motif of the national flag. It was also not fringed, tasseled nor corded. A slightly different depiction of the SAF emblem was charged over all in the centre of this 1969 - 1971 Colour. This Colour was paraded escorted and alongside SAF's Unit/Formation Regimental Colours, such as that of the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment, in 1970.

4.3A.I.b - SAF (Army) Colour of c.1972 to 1997 From photographs dated 1973, the colour as shown on the right began to be sighted. This later Colour, whose base of design was the national flag, was embroidered with a large SAF emblem which is charged on the centre-lower fly, such that it occupies part of the red band as well as the white band. This SAF (Army) Service-Regimental Colour was awarded annually to the best combat unit on SAF Day from 1969 to 1996. Since 1997, the winners of the annual Best Combat Unit competition have been given the honour of guarding the SAF (Army) State Colour instead. The Army Best Combat Units from 1969 to 1996 are listed below.

4.3A.II - The Republic of Singapore Navy Colour

4.3A.II.a - RSN Colour of 1977 to 1991 The RSN Service-Regimental Colour was first presented on 22nd January 1977. The original design is the one that is displayed on the left. It was replaced in 1991. The RSN Service-Regimental Colour of 1977 - 1991 was in the design of the national flag with a large blue scroll in the lower fly, inscribed with "Singapore Navy". It also featured the RSN emblem, which appears above the scroll. The RSN emblem was interestingly placed with a part of it on the upper red band.

4.3A.II.b - RSN Colour of 1991 to 1997 In 1991, the new RSN State Colour, was introduced. Accordingly, Mindef decided to change the left-shown 1977 RSN Service-Regimental Colour's design as it was deemed too similar to the new RSN State Colour of 1991 (4.2B.II). The new RSN Service-Regimental Colour as shown on the right was thus introduced, similar in design to the naval ensign and service flag (Section 2.3 on Page 1). The Colour was embroidered, fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly. This second RSN Service-Regimental Colour was in use from 1991 - 1997.

4.3A.III - The Republic of Singapore Air Force Colour

4.3A.III.a - RSAF Colour of 1977 - 1991 - 1993 The RSAF Service-Regimental Colour was first presented on 22nd January 1977 together with the first RSAF State Colour. The original design is similar to the one that is seen on the left.  This first RSAF Service-Regimental Colour, was in royal blue charged plainly with the RSAF emblem in the centre. In 1991, the laurels of the RSAF emblem were lengthened to its present form. The Colour was embroidered, fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly as per normal. It was replaced in 1993 with the one shown on the right.

4.3A.III.b - RSAF Colour of 1993 to 1997 In 1993, the second RSAF Service-Regimental Colour, based on the national flag with the RSAF roundel as shown on the right, was presented to the Air Force on SAF Day Parade of that year. The Colour was used for parades until 1997, when it was retired. The Colour was embroidered, fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly. The roundel is used on the present RSAF service flag. (Refer to Section 2.4A on Page 1) [Return to Directory]

4.3B - The S.A.F. Unit & Formation Regimental Colours 
(SAF Regimental Colours)

When the above Service-Regimental Colours were retired, only the Unit & Formation Regimental Colours remained. They are now more commonly and simply known as the SAF Regimental Colours.

Shown below are the SAF Regimental Colours as arranged in order of protocol as adopted by Mindef (shown left to right). The name of the formation/unit appears beneath the respective Regimental Colour. The dates indicate when the particular unit/formation were granted their Unit/Formation Regimental Colour. The date in parentheses indicate the date of replacement of the Regimental Colour, if any. On Air Force Day and Navy Day, the respective Regimental Colours of these two services will be paraded in a similar order as listed below excluding those of the Army and joint-service units/formations.

SAFTI Military Institute and Commando Regimental Colours do not observe the order-by-date-of-grant arrangement. These Colours precede SAF's first Regimental Colour (1SIR) despite being granted only after 1SIR's 27th July 1961. In most probability this is due to the emphasis of elitism over chronological importance, Commandos being the elites of the SAF and SAFTI M.I. being home of the Officer Corps. Charges used for military unit and formation insignias may be international in practice, just as how many other symbols are. For instance, it can be noticed how anchors are associated with the navy, as are wings for the air force and as swords are for the army. Similar concepts may also apply to the use of certain colours. The symbolism of the insignias and colours are detailed in the section following the table (4.3B.II). Where flag design is concerned, the majority of the Regimental Colours have plain coloured fields with the formation insignia proper or enhanced at the centre. Only five out of the current thirty-five Colours have field divisions ranging from bicolours to tribands/tricolours rather than single-coloured fields.  

4.3B.I - The Regimental Colours Table

4.3B.II - Brief description & symbolism of the Insignias & Colours of the military units & formations

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4.4A - Presidential Lance Guard Pennon

On National Day Parades, one can see the Presidential Lance Guards who will form up upon the President's arrival and departure. They carry lances with a pennon attached beneath the spearhead. Lances today mainly function as ceremonial items.

Shown here is the pennon of the Lance Guards from the Armour formation, as used at National Day Parades. It is triangular, with embroidered insignia, and fringed all around. The pennon features the insignia of the unit/formation which forms the Lance Guards which has traditionally been from the Armour formation; Armoured corps being the successor formation of the cavalry units. 

The lances will be kept upright at all times, until the President arrives or when he is leaving at which points, the lances will be held at horizontal position until the President takes his place.

One theory for the attaching of pennants to lances were for the purposes of absorbing the blood of the victim which would otherwise flow down the lance hence affecting the grip of the soldier

4.4B - Banners of the Singapore Armed Forces Bands and Singapore Police Force Band

Regimental Bands often display banners on certain musical equipments. In the British military tradition, they comprise the following: 

i. Pipe Banners attached to bagpipes, 
ii. Trumpet Banners attached to the trumpets of the trumpeters, and
iii. Drum Banners attached around the drums of especially cavalry bands. 

Today, there are also general banners attached to note-stands for seated performances. The two principal regimental bands of the Singapore services, the Singapore Armed Forces Bands (SAF Bands) and the Singapore Police Force Band (SPF Band) have all of these banners with the exception of the Drum Banners. Pipe banners are only available in the SPF Band which have bagpipe players.

Seen often at National Day Parades, are the banners of the SAF Bands and those of the SPF Band. This is because on such occasions, the bands of both services combine to provide ceremonial music for the Parades and Ceremonies segment. Henceforth at the Bands area (where the arrangement for the bands is to be seated), one will see a mixture of SAF Band's red banners and SPF Band's blue banners amongst the musicians. 

The SAF Bands fanfare trumpeters' trumpet banner is red with the SAF Band insignia charged in the centre. Their insignia has a disc, divided horizontally into three coloured bands, sky blue, red and navy blue, representing the three services of the SAF. The centre is charged with a gold lyre and laurels which are also used as the SAF Musician's badge. The full achievement of the national arms surmounts the disc. Their motto, "In Harmony", is inscribed in gold on a red scroll that appears at the base of the insignia. Their banners are fringed in gold at the base only (set of banners at the top, right). 

The general SAF Bands banner for note-stands is similar to the trumpet banner but has an additional "Singapore Armed Forces Bands" text appearing in gold arranged in an arc above their insignia.

There were also previously the RSN Band and the RSAF Band with their own banners for use on their note-stands, until they merged to form the SAF Bands. The banners of the RSN and RSAF Bands were respectively navy blue and light blue. They were charged with the respective service emblem at the centre and the banners were inscribed respectively with the "Republic of Singapore Navy Band" and the "Republic of Singapore Air Force Band" as well.

The SPF Band herald trumpeters' trumpet banner and general SPF Band banner for note-stands have a blue field on which is charged the emblem of the Police force in its proper colours. These banners have white fringes along the entire free sides of the banner (set of banners at the top, left). 

The SPF Bands' Women's Pipes & Drums' pipe banner which are attached to their bagpipes is similar but smaller and has a flat base with rounded edges (set of banners on the right, top). The SPF Gurkha Contingent Pipes & Drums' pipe banner which are attached to their bagpipes has the SPF emblem rendered mainly in gold on the obverse while the reverse shows Gurkha daggers (Kukris) placed in saltire above a blue scroll bearing 'Gurkha Contingent'. The Gurkha Contingent's pipe banner is fringed in gold along the free sides and is descate in shape (the reverse side as shown in the set of banners to the right, bottom).

>> Bands' websites: Singapore Armed Forces Bands, Singapore Police Force Band

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Despite the absence of SAF-style State and Regimental Colours in the paramilitary services, there have been sighted specially designed and assigned flags for the purposes classifiable as an "Indoor, Parade and Ceremonial Flag". However, they are not standardised across the paramilitary services.

4.5A - Singapore Police Force

As far as I am aware, the SPF does not seem to parade any form of flags on Police Day Parades. However, a special version of the SPF Indoor flag was noticed through pictures that were taken at the Police Senior Officer Mess. It is different from the service flag in that the State shield was rendered properly in red and its charges in white. Another important difference is that it featured the name of the service in English on their scroll (Republic [of] Singapore Police) instead of the Malay variant (Polis Repablik Singapura). This indoor flag is embroidered and fringed in silver. There are no cords and tassels on the flag. The picture at the Senior Officer Mess had this flag accompanied with the State Flag. This particular indoor State Flag was fringed in silver and did not feature any tassels nor cords.

4.5B - Singapore Civil Defence Force

Since the 2003 Civil Defence Day Parade, an SCDF Service Parade Flag and the various SCDF Unit & Formation Parade Flags formed the flag party for the parade. At the 2003 CD Day Parade, they comprise the following and were paraded in the following order:

These SCDF parade flags are similar to the unit flags as shown on Page 1, but are completed with fringes and attached to a staff. The parade flags of the Disaster Assistance Rescue Team and Special Rescue Battalion are shown above as examples. These parade flags are carried by unarmed commissioned officers and escorted with personnel of other ranks. The SCDF parade flags are not dipped in salute unlike the military colours. The positioning of the DART and SRB parade flags differed from the order listed above at the Civil Defence Day Parade of 2008 where their positions were switched, DART's placed in last position instead.

Prior to 2003, the SCDF service parade flag was the only flag paraded and it was trooped as part of the CD pledge recitation segment of the parade. There is also an indoor version of the State Flag which is fringed in gold but not paraded on CD Day Parades.

A guard-of-honour contingent is mounted at the annual SCDF Day Parade. The contingent carry pike poles (referred to as lances however) the top of which is attached an orange pennant charged with the SCDF emblem at the centre.

4.5C - National Cadet Corps

On 21st April 2002, new NCC Colours were unveiled at the NCC Affirmation Ceremony. They comprise the Joint, Land, Sea and Air Colours. They are based on the designs of the respective Organisational Flags (Refer to Page 1, Section 2.9A), but with the addition of gold fringes, cords and tassels. 

At the 4th NCC Affirmation Ceremony held on 18th April 2004, the NCC District Colours were unveiled. The NCC Land comprises  three districts; Central, West and East. The field of the District Colours are respectively yellow, green and red. It has the NCC emblem nearer to the canton and the NCC Land insignia (torch and bayonet) in the centre of the Colours. These Colours are inscribed with 'Central', 'West' and 'East' respectively in the centre. They are fringed, corded and tasseled accordingly. 

4.5D - National Police Cadet Corps

The NPCC Ceremonial Flag was launched on NPCC Day Parade 20th April 2002. The ceremonial flag takes the design of the organisational flag (Refer to Page 1, Section 2.9B), but with the addition of white fringes. There is however, neither cords nor tassels. Unlike the NCC's, it is not referred to as a Colour. However, despite the existence of such a flag, the NPCC parades the normal State Flag, Singapore Police Force service flag and the NPCC organisational flag on NPCC Day Parades.

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While the use of service flags is common amongst the various services, the use of ceremonial flags lacks a common practice. While these differences are acceptable given that they are essentially distinct services, it would be worthwhile in my opinion that standardisation of ceremonial flags at the state-level be done.

This would entail the proposal of having State Colours for the other non-military regimented uniformed services, namely the Police, Prisons, and Civil Defence. The proposed Service State Colours are to be similar to the ones currently granted to the SAF (Army), Navy, and Air Force. These proposed State Colours would encompass the dual symbolism of responsibility of the services to the nation and the recognition of the state for their services. Or alternatively, since there is a drive recently towards unity of the Home Team agencies, perhaps there could be one State Colour - the senior colour - for the Home Team Uniformed Services as a whole. Each uniformed service could then have a Service Colour - the junior colour - corresponding in status to the former SAF's service-regimental colours. The Service Colour of the Police, Civil Defence, and Prison services will be based on the design of their service flags (plain coloured field with service emblem at the centre completed with fringes and cords). In this arrangement, the Home Team Uniformed Services will share the use of a single State Colour, but at the same time retain a Service Colour each as a manifestation of their unique identities that can be used for service-specific internal ceremonies. This latter alternative would be useful for national day parades. The State Colour of the Home Team Uniformed Services can be paraded together with the military State Colours while the Home Team Service Colours can be paraded together with the military Regimental Colours. The Home Team State Colour party could preferably comprise multi-service personnel, or from a single service only. For instance, in the first possible combination, the ensign/colour bearer is a police senior officer and the escort can be a prisons and/or civil defence junior officer, etc. As the Police are the only guard-of-honour contingent from the Home Team at national day parades, it would perhaps be appropriate that the first combination is adopted for national day parades. Each Service Colour party would be composed of single-service personnel only. If adopted, this Colours system would be a unique practice and arrangement.

A brief study of Parade and Ceremonial Flags of Enforcement & Emergency Services in other States

One might find it strange that paramilitary services be granted with Colours. Indeed, this is rather true in many countries but not all countries, as the following cases will show. The concept of having standardised state-level ceremonial flags for military and paramilitary services is most apparent in France as far as I am aware. Services such as the Police, Fire & Rescue Brigades, and Prisons, are all entitled to 'Colours' similar to those of the French military services by national decrees to ensure proper recognition as well as uniformity in application and design. Refer to the list below for examples:

Fire & Rescue Services: The flag escorts carry large axes or occasionally drawn swords in the case of ÉNSOSP
 - École Nationale Supérieure des Officiers de Sapeurs-Pompiers (ÉNSOSP / National Higher College of Fire Officers) by Decree 109 of 2001
 - Each Corps Départemental de Sapeurs-Pompiers (Departmental Corps of Firefighters) by Decree 108 of 2001. Départements are the territorial administrative divisions of France. 

Police Services (Civil Police under the Ministry of the Interior):

• Ministere de l’Interieure, Police Nationale (National Police, Ministry of the Interior)

• École nationale supérieure de la police (ÉNSP / National Higher Police College)

• Police aux frontières (Border Police)

• École nationale supérieure des officiers de police (ÉNSOP / National Higher College of Police Officers)

• École nationale supérieure d'application de la police nationale et Écoles nationales de police (National Police Colleges)

See list of decrees at the FOTW France Police page and my comparative tables page

Penitentiary Department:
 - Administration Pénitentaire (Penitentiary Administration) by Decree 557 of 2002
 - École Nationale d'Administration Pénitentaire (ÉNAP / National Penitentiary Administration College) by Decree 558 of 2002
(See FOTW France: Ministry of Justice page for details of both colours)

These ceremonial flags are very similar to the colours of the military services: Armée de Terre (Army), Marine Nationale (Navy), Armée de l'Air (Air Force), and the Gendarmerie (Military Police under the Ministry of Defence with civil enforcement functions). There are also two military fire fighting units in France, the Brigade de Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris / BSPP (Paris Fire Brigade) and the Bataillon des Marins-Pompiers de Marseille / BMPM (Marseilles Naval Fire Battalion), which are considered as army and navy units respectively. The flag escorts of these units, like those of the military services, carry fire-arms. These flags will be paraded with pride at various ceremonies such as at national/public parades and internal ones as well such as during commissioning/appointment ceremonies and anniversaries. The term used in France is drapeau(x) which translates to flag(s). However the imposition of certain protocols equates these drapeaux to that of colours as is understood in the English context. The ceremonial flag and military colour is a silk square version of the French tricolour and is embroidered with national emblems and the following inscriptions: the title of France in the full official conventional form, the name of the unit/formation, respective unit/formation motto and campaign honours and medals where applicable. Unlike the United Kingdom, French units do not carry a pair of colours - the flags mentioned above being the primarily used flags. Sub-units may display/carry small unit flags known as fanions, often seen attached to their weapons when on parade. Examples of such fanions of the French navy are displayed and listed here.

See a comparative table detailing the ceremonial flags of the French police, fire, and penitentiary services here.

Another European state which standardises parade & ceremonial flags for its military and paramilitary services is Italy, with the Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco (National Corps of Firefighters) receiving their bandiera (flag) by official decree on 18th February 2005. The Polizia di Stato (State Police) were granted with their bandiera way back in 1930, the Polizia Penitenziaria (Corrections Police) were granted with their bandiera on 19th October 1993. The Arma dei Carabinieri (Military Police under the Ministry of Defence with civil enforcement functions) also have their bandiera. The Guardia di Finanza (Customs Police) is considered as a military formation and they have the bandiera di guerra (Colours). This term is used for the flags of the Army and Air Force although strangely, not the Carabinieri. The Army's cavalry units carry stendardo (standards) instead - smaller versions of the bandiera di guerra. The Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) is a unit within the Marina Militare (Navy) and they have a naval stendardo. Naval unit Standards are different in design from the colours of the army & air force; the naval Standards having their design based on and a combination of the Italian naval ensign and naval jack. More details on Italian military colours & standards at FOTW Italy Military Flags page. Unlike France, the flag proper is not embroidered with the unit name. These distinguishing features appear on the accessories accompanying the flag proper such as on the finial and ribbon.

Elsewhere in Europe, there is also a drapeau for the Police Grand-Ducale (Luxembourg Police), which was paraded with armed escort. There was also a 'Truppenfahne' (Colour) for the Zivilverteidigung der DDR (East German Civil Defence) from 1979 - 1990. 

In the United Kingdom, the Mounted Branch of the Metropolitan Police Service of London has a ceremonial guidon as well. On 18 July 2008, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service, a civilian organisation, was presented with a Queen's Colour.

Over in Malaysia, there is a Service Colour for the Polis Di-Raja Malaysia (Royal Malaysia Police) in addition to the Police service flag. There does not seem to be a National/Sovereign's Colour though. There are also Unit Colours in the Malaysian police. The first police colour was granted in November 1961 to the Polis Di-Raja Persekutuan (Royal Federation of Malaya Police) for their services in the Malayan Emergency or Darurat in Malay. Colours are known as panji-panji in Malay.

In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada (RCMP-GRC) was presented with their present guidon in 1973, the second in their history. They carry a guidon for they were historically a mounted unit like the cavalry. The RCMP-GRC guidon is equivalent in status to the Regimental Colours of infantry units. The RCMP-GRC also carry ceremonial lances with pennons at ceremonial occasions such as the Musical Ride.

The Western Australia Police is in possession of a banner for parade and ceremonies in addition to their service flag. The Banner was first consecrated in 1989 and is given military colour treatment. The banner and flag images and usage guidelines is contained in the Western Australia Police Ceremonial and Protocol Manual.

In the United States, the US Coast Guard (USCG), a national maritime enforcement service, is regarded as a military service and they have an Ensign (used in a manner of a service flag) and a Standard (for parades), an arrangement generally similar to those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The US National Color for parade and indoor use as used by the USCG is similar to the one used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps (without fringes).

Thus, I do not see a reason why State Colours should be restricted only to the military services in Singapore. The paramilitary services being organised at State-level in Singapore simplifies matters to a great extent and adoption of ceremonial flags by paramilitary services is becoming quite widespread. Currently, the SCDF flag escorts carry the mist gun at CD Day Parades, and the practice in France of carrying large ceremonial axes could be used as an example. Or, as is the practice of the military officers of the British & Canadian medical services, swords may be worn on parade but are not to be drawn, symbolising the weapons as for self-defence purposes only. 

It can also be recalled that within the armed forces itself, Colours for parade and ceremonial purposes while a norm for the British Army units, were not a norm for the Royal Navy which normally went on parade without such ceremonial flags or simply used the naval ensign for such occasions. Sovereign's Colours for the Royal Navy corresponding to those of the army were only granted c.1925 onwards after some ceremonial complications were observed when these services paraded together (see section 4.1F on this page). Also, the concept of naval and air force units having junior or regimental colours also deviates from the original system observed by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, although the latter does have Squadron Standards. Within the Army itself, standardisation of Regimental Colours to apply to all the major formations deviates as well from the original idea of Colours as a domain of only line regiments such as the infantry. 

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Military Flags as was mentioned, constitute only as one possible approach to vexillology. Other classifications/categories of flags which are just as interesting includes, but are not limited to: 

 - National & Subnational Flags (Nations, Provinces, States, Overseas Territories, etc.) 
 - Maritime Flags (Signal Flags, Ensigns, Burgees, Pennants, etc.) 
 - Positional Flags (Sovereigns, Presidents, Head of Government Departments, etc.)
 - Flags of Government Departments/Services (Postal Service, Police, Civil Defence, Border Guards, Coast Guards, etc.)
 - Flags of International Organisations (United Nations, NATO, ASEAN, European Union, etc.)
 - Other Flags (Cities, Corporations, Educational Institutions, Sports, etc.)

Besides the study of the symbolism of flag designs, Vexillology also covers technical aspects associated with flags, such as the terminology used. The study of flag protocols/etiquettes are also important aspects of this wonderful field of study. To learn more about vexillology, visit the Flags of the World Website (FOTW).

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The information gathered here were obtained and compiled from the various agencies concerned and also from my own personal observations. This site is a works-in-progress and I will add unto it any new updates or amend as necessary. I have tried my best to give accurate information, but I cannot vouch for the accuracy on information that were based solely on my observations. I apologise in advance for any errors in information and any corrections to them will be greatly appreciated. It is also important to note that there are many many more flags which I have not come across thus unable to include them in these pages. Some of the opinions included in these pages are personal and may not reflect opinion/s of the government/services.

References and Research:

• I would like to especially thank Chee Keen, Justin, Malcolm, and Edwin for their many contributions in the making of these pages, and other visitors who have kindly contributed additional or corrected information, and/or for providing comments and suggestions where necessary 

Other sources of information and references:

Books :-
- Peer M. Akbur, Policing Singapore in the 19th & 20th Centuries, (2002)
- Fred Gilbert Blakeslee, Police Uniforms of the World, (1934)
- J.P. Brooke-Little - Clarenceux King of Arms, An Heraldic Alphabet, (2000)
- Mickey Chiang, SAF and 30 Years of National Service, (1997)
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, The Book of Public Arms : a Complete Encyclopedia of all Royal, Territorial, Municipal, Corporate, Official, and Impersonal Arms (1915)
- Sarah Hardy, 30th Anniversary; Navy News Special Edition; Onwards & Upwards, (1997)
- Joan Hon, 100 Years of the Singapore Fire Service, (1988)
- Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore, (2000), especially, "Appendix 2: Paramilitary Forces"
- Stanley C. Johnson, The Flags of Our Fighting Army: Including Standards, Guidons, Colours and Drum Banners (1918)
- Sir David Lee, Eastward : A History of the Royal Air Force in the Far East, 1945-1972, (1984)
- Peter Lim H. L., Navy The Vital Force, (1992)
- R. Menon (Colonel Ret.), To Command. The SAFTI Military Institute, (1995)
- Ong (Mrs) Kwee Hong, S. Vijakumar, Dare to Strike : 25 Years of the Central Narcotics Bureau, (1996)
- Syed Othman Syed Omar, Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja 1933-1968 (2005) 
- Delia Teo, Clement Liew, Guardians of Our Homeland : The Heritage of Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, (2004)
- T. M. Winsley (Captain), A History of the Singapore Volunteer Corps 1854-1937, (1938)
- Thomas Woodcock and John Martin Robinson, The Oxford Guide to Heraldry, (1988, 1990)
- Alfred Znamierowski, The World of Flags Illustrated Encyclopedia, (2000)
- Lord Chamberlain's Office (Great Britain), Herbert A. P Trendell (ed.), Dress Worn at His Majesty's Court: Issued with the Authority of the Lord Chamberlain, (1912, 1921)
- HQ Singapore Artillery & MINDEF Public Affairs Department, Singapore Artillery. 100th Anniversary 1888-1988, (1988)
- G4 Army, Singapore Armed Forces, Army Logistics: A Pillar of Confidence. Commemorating 25 Years of Army Logistics Excellence, (2001)
- Singapore Joint Civil Defence Forces, Civil Defence in Singapore, (1988, 1991)
- Singapore Civil Defence Force, Civil Defence in Singapore 1939 - 1984, (1985)
- National Cadet Corps Singapore, National Cadet Corps. 100 Years of Distinction, (2001)
- Singapore Armed Forces, Recruit's Handbook, (2000)
- Singapore Civil Defence Force, Recruit's Handbook, (2000)
- Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia 55 Tahun, (1990)

Articles, Journals, & Periodicals :-
- "SAF Colours", Straits Times, 1st July 1997
- Journal of the Singapore Infantry Regiment, Volume II December 1959, by the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment 
- Retirement & Presentation of Colours Parade 1991 - Programme Booklet, by the SAF
- Pioneer Magazine[s] & The Army News, by Mindef
- Annual Report[s] of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, by the Singapore Civil Defence Force
- Rescue 995, by the Singapore Civil Defence Force
- HomeTeamNS, by Home Team Association for National Servicemen, formerly the separate entities of Singapore Police Association for National Servicemen (SPANS) and Civil Defence Association for National Servicemen (CDANS)
- Air Force News, by the Republic of Singapore Air Force
- Navy News, by the Republic of Singapore Navy
- MedLink; Chronicle of the SAF Medical Corps, November 2005, by the SAF Medical Corps
- Customs News : a quarterly publication of the Customs & Excise Department, Singapore, by Singapore Customs & Excise Department
- Singapore Customs & Excise Department Annual Report[s], by Singapore Customs & Excise Department
- Singapore Customs Annual Report[s], by Singapore Customs
- Annual Report[s] of the Singapore Police Force (1949 - 1963), by the Singapore Police Department & the Government Printing Office
- Police Life Annual[s] & Police Life Monthly, by the Singapore Police Force
- Singapore Police Magazine[s], by the (Colonial) Singapore Police Force
- Polis DiRaja Malaysia - Singapura, by the Royal Malaysian Police (1963 - 1965)
- Corrections, by the Singapore Prison Service
- Majalah Penjara, Vol.1(1), Vol.1(2), & Vol.2(1), by the Singapore Prison Service (1958, 1959)
- Prisons Newsletter[s], by the Singapore Prison Service
- Prisons Service Annual[s], by the Singapore Prison Service
- Singapore Fire Brigade Annual Reports (1954 - 1956, 1959 - 1966, 1971 - 1979), by the Singapore Fire Department (to 1963) later the Singapore Fire Brigade (1963 - 1980)
- Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Annual Report[s], by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
- Australian Air Publication; 5135:002: Manual of Ceremonial, by the Royal Australian Air Force, 3 March 1999
- Straits Settlements Annual Reports (1855 - 1941), edited by Robert L. Jarman
- Colony of Singapore Annual Reports (1946 - 1958), by the Government Printing Office
- State of Singapore Annual Reports (1959 - 1963), by the Government Printing Office
- Subsidiary Legislation Supplements, Government of the Republic of Singapore

Websites & Others :-
Several of the websites referred to have not been listed here as their links have been provided in the course of the articles itself.
- The respective services websites and their respective officers / Public Relations Officers where queries were involved
- Military Heritage Branch 
- Navy Museum (Republic of Singapore Navy)
- Air Force Museum (Republic of Singapore Air Force)
- Civil Defence Heritage Gallery (Singapore Civil Defence Force)
- ICA Gallery (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority)
- Images and information available at National Archives of Singapore (PICAS - National Heritage Board) 
- Flags of the World (FOTW) website & mailing list
- World Flags Database website
- UK National Archives catalogue
- Attorney-General's Chambers and the Managing for Excellence Office of the Ministry of Finance, Republic of Singapore, Singapore Statutes Online <http://www.statutes.agc.gov.sg/>

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