Framed fragment of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment's regimental colour carried at the Battle of Albuhera in 1811

The role of the 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 colours when they were replaced by new ones, and some were even laid up in churches in a mutilated condition. At Albuhera, the 57th's regimental colour had 17 balls through it.