The regimental colour of the First Battalion the Jamaica Regiment

The field is Royal Blue and in the centre is superimposed a crimson garter, itself encircled by two bands of fimbriation. The words “THE JAMAICA REGIME T” are inscribed on the garter between the two circular bands of fimbriation while in the centre of the garter is superimposed a Jamaican crocodile fess wise on a log; the crocodile, log, letters and fimbriation all in gold. Surmounting the garter is a representation of St. Edwards’ Crown in gold and crimson. The garter is surrounded in the centre by a wreath of Tudor Roses, Shamrock and Thistle. The wreath is open ended at the top to accommodate the St. Edwards’ Crown. At the bottom of the wreath is a scroll inscribed with the regimental Motto “FORWARD”. The fringe is royal blue and gold. The Pike, cords, Tassels and Finial being the same as the Queen’s Colours.

Crown: St. Edwards’ Crown is one of the British crown jewels. It has been used as a symbol of Royal authority in the Commonwealth realms since 1953. It is symbolic of the Monarch as Jamaica’s Head of State.

Background colour: The Royal Blue is the colour of royalty and was selected as the identifying colour of the First Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment.

Crocodile: The crocodile is a prominent element in the Coat of the Arms of Jamaica. It is indigenous to Jamaica and represents the strength and aggression required of an armed force.

Motto: The Motto of the Jamaica Regiment is ‘FORWARD’. It indicates the determination, resilience and the drive for advancement in all things.
Wreath: Floral wreaths of varying design are common features in the regimental colours of many Commonwealth infantry units. It is customary for the wreath to embellish icons and artifacts that are unique to a particular unit. The following plants/flowers comprise the wreath of the Regimental Colours of the First Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment.

The Tudor Rose: Here depicted to have five (05) petals of pink, red and white. The Tudor Rose, sometimes called the English Rose, is a traditional heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origin from Tudor Dynasty and the end of the War of the Roses. It symbolizes the battalion’s link and proud ancestry with British Units of the Past.

The Shamrock: The Shamrock is a three (03) leafed clover which is best known as the Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity. Here it symbolizes the Unit’s belief in Christian values and the role of God in the life of the Battalion.

The Thistle: The Thistle is a flowering plant characterized by leaves with sharp prickles. It is usually a symbol of nobility of character as well as by birth. Here it symbolizes the unit’s noble aims and pedigree.
The regimental colour of the Second Battalion the Jamaica Regiment

The field is Maroon and in the centre is superimposed a crimson garter, itself encircled by two bands of fimbriation. The words “THE JAi.v1AICA REGIMENT” are inscribed on the garter between the two circular bands of fimbriation while in the centre of the garter is superimposed a Jamaican crocodile fess wise on a log; the crocodile, log, letters and fimbriation all in gold. Surmounting the garter is a representation of St. Edwards’ Crown in gold and crimson. The garter is surrounded in the centre by a wreath of Water Lilly, Periwinkle, White Easter Lilly, the Tudor Roses and water Reeds symmetrically disposed to the right and left, with the Fern closing the loop at the lower section. The wreath is open ended at the top to accommodate the St. Edwards’ Crown. At the bottom of the wreath is a scroll inscribed with the Regimental Motto “FORWARD”. The fringe is Maroon and gold. The Pike, cords, Tassels and Finial being the same as the Queen’s Colours.

The Symbols and their significance

• Background: Maroon, Unit Colour

• The fern: This is the foundation of the wreath and is commonly found in the Moneague area. It is used to symbolize our birthplace and first home, Moneague.

•The bow tying the wreath together: A blend of maroon and gold, the Unit’s Colours.

•Crocodile on log: The emblem of the JDF

• The Tudor Rose: A link with the past

•The White Easter Lily: An emblem of purity and innocence which symbolizes christianity and our hope for the future.

•‘Forward‘: The Regimental Motto

• The crown: Symbol of loyalty to our Sovereign and Country

• The Water Reeds: Found throughout Jamaica, and symbolizing water and our first operational task, the floods and the watery nature of Moneague.

• The Water Lily or The Indian or African Lily: Said to be the Indian or African Lily. Whichever it may be, it symbolizes ‘our of many one people’, and also our home    by the waters, Moneague.

The Regimental Colour of the Third Battalion the Jamaica Regiment national reserve

The field is Dark Green and in the centre is super-imposed a crimson garter, itself encircled by two bands of fimbriation. The words “THE JAMAICA REGIMENT” are inscribed on the garter between the two circular bands of fimbriation while in the centre of the garter is super-imposed a Jamaican crocodile fess wise on a log; the crocodile, log, letters and fimbriation all in gold. Surmounting the garter is a representation of St. Edwards’ Crown in gold and crimson. The garter is surrounded in the centre by a wreath of sugar cane leaves, on which are super-imposed Lignum Vitae flowers, Blue Mahoe flowers, and Ackees. The wreath is open ended at the top to accommodate the St. Edwards’ Crown. At the bottom of the wreath is a scroll inscribed with the Regimental Motto “FORWARD”. The fringe is dark green and gold. The Pike, cords, Tassels and Finial being the same as the Queen’s Colours.

Crown: St. Edwards’ Crown is one of the British crown jewels. It has been used as a symbol of Royal authority in the Commonwealth realms since 1953. It is symbolic of the Monarch as Jamaica’s Head of State.

Background colour: Dark Green is the colour selected as the identifying colour of the Third Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve).

Crocodile: The crocodile is a prominent element in the Coat of the Arms of Jamaica. It is indigenous to Jamaica and represents the strength and aggression required of an armed force.

Motto: The Motto of the Jamaica Regiment is ‘FORWARD’. It indicates the determination, resilience and the drive for advancement in all things.

Wreath: Floral wreaths of varying design are common features in the regimental colours of many Commonwealth infantry units. It is customary for the wreath to embellish icons and artifacts that are unique to a particular unit. The following plants/flowers comprise the wreath of the Regimental Colours of the Third Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve).

Sugar cane: Sugar cane or saccharum is a genus of six (06) to thirty seven (37) species of tall perennial grasses, native to warm temperate to tropical regions. They have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar and can grow up to two (02) to six (06) metres. This represents Jamaica’s principal agricultural product for a significant period of the country’s colonial and post colonial history and represents the link to the unit’s colonial ancestry.

The Lignum Vitae flowers: The Lignum Vitae, Latin for “Long Life”, from which comes one of its common names, tree of life, is the National Flower of Jamaica. It is indigenous to Jamaica and grows up to seventeen (17) metres. The scientific name is “Guaiacum Officinale” and it is used here to represent the Battalion’s commitment to the preservation of the life and liberty of the people of Jamaica.

The Blue Mahoe flowers: Hibiscus Elatus, affectionately called the Blue Mahoe, is the National Tree of Jamaica. It is indigenous to Jamaica and is found mainly in the wetter areas of the island. It grows up to twenty (20) metres in height. The tree’s huge and towering presence symbolises the enormous and sometimes seemingly insurmountable tasks the reserve unit is always ready to undertake.

The Ackee: The Ackee, called Blighia Sapida in binomial nomenclature, is a member of the Sapindaceae (soapberry family) and native to tropical West Africa. It is related to Lychee and Longan, and is an evergreen tree that grows up to ten (10) metres tall.  The flowers are unisexual and fragrant. They have five (05) petals, are greenish white and bloom during warm months. It was brought to Jamaica from West Africa in 1778 by Captain WILLIAM BLIGH. Despite previously losing his ship, the Bounty, to mutineers, once exonerated by the Court Martial inquiry, into the mutiny, he undertook again to transport breadfruit from Tahiti to Jamaica. It was during this voyage that he brought Ackee to Jamaica. Against this background the fruit symbolises the perseverance and indomitable will of the Battalion to be successful at all assigned tasks and to staunchly defend the constitution of Jamaica and strongly support due processes in all matters.