Although Denis Darmanin is seeking a photograph (June 5) showing the Trooping of the Colour by 41 Commando Royal Marines before Earl Mountbatten of Burma at St Andrews Barracks in 1977, it seems few are aware that attached to the Regimental Colour of 41 Commando on that particular day was a battle streamer which represented the United States Presidential Citation.

The 34-inch battle streamer which was normally worn on the pike of the Regimental Colour was awarded to 41 Independent Commando for their service in the Korean War when the unit fought its way through the enemy lines to support the first US Marine Division. It is the only battle honour other than "Gibraltar" that has been displayed on a Royal Marine Colour. The Admiralty Board gave special permission for it to be worn on one day a year which in the case of 41 Commando was on the anniversary of the Chosen Reservoir Battle of November 29.

Therefore the battle streamer on the Regimental Colour in Malta in March 1977 was almost certainly worn without special permission, which would make a photograph I have of it unique.

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