Fragment of Regimental Colour, 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot, 1854 (c)

The traditional role of the regimental colours was to act as a rallying point during battle, and as such they took on totemic significance. It was not unknown for pieces to be cut from regimental colours, as in this instance, when they were replaced by new ones, and some were even laid up in churches in a mutilated condition.

Sir George Cathcart's 4th Division had not fully assembled at the time of the landing in the Crimea on 14 September 1854 , and the 57th (The West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot only reached Lord Raglan's Army on 23 September, three days after the Battle of the Alma.