A rare historic relic of World War One has made its return to Hastings District Council.
The significant regimental guidon (military flag) of Queen Alexandra’s Waikato/Welllington East Coast Mounted Rifles Squadron has hung at Council’s civic administration building for the past 60 years.
It initially came to Hastings in 1935 when it was consecrated and presented to the Wellington and East Coast regiment by the Bishop of Waiapu and Major General Andrew Russell.
First placed at St Matthew’s Church for safekeeping, it was then entrusted to Council in 1959 and placed in the Council chambers – an acknowledgement of the bond between the regiment and the community represented by the Council.
On Armistice Day last year, the flag was put into the care of the NZ Army at Linton Military Camp while the council foyer underwent some renovations, and the opportunity was also taken to carry out some conservation work on the fabric.
Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst said the guidon was a significant taonga of the district and city.
“This is a little different to other flags of its type as its colours differ from the usual crimson and gold – being stripes of black and white silk damask, signifying the Hawke’s Bay region.
“We are grateful to the NZ Army and Linton Army Camp for taking it in over the past few months and also to the Carmelite Nuns at Christ The King Monastry in Christchurch, one of whom has undertaken conservation work that will help preserve this taonga for the future.”
About 12 hours was spent replacing or repairing worn parts of the fabric – including areas of gold thread and cream silk, on top of which intricate embroidery has been stitched.
The flag also features 11 battle honours that were earned during WW1 by the Wellington East Coast squadron. War veterans, NZ Army and RSA representatives attended the formal handover of the guidon back to council, where it was blessed and returned to its encasement in the council chambers.
