Standards, Guidons and Colours of the Commonwealth Forces - Paperbackby T. J. Edwards (Author) The development of banners can be traced from the standards of ancient Greece and Rome. Fortescue states "Before the end of the 16th century the flags of infantry, from their diversity of hues, had gained the name of 'Colours'". In military organisations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or guidons are used both to act as a rallying point for troops or to mark the location of the commander. The Colours of the