Marilyn I. Walker and Norris Walker stand in front of the regimental colours at General Brock's October Soiree.

Brock University has a healthy reverence for all things War of 1812, and that connection has been deepened with the addition of four flags that are replicas of those carried by two historic regiments.

The colours for the 41st and 49th regiments are now displayed at formal Brock events such as the annual General Brock’s October Soirée in the fall. The colours are a collaborative effort that included Roberta Doylend, head of wardrobe in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, and Marilyn I. Walker herself, a local philanthropist, Brock supporter and renowned fiber artist.

The colours represent two regiments that fought locally in the War of 1812. During the war, each regiment carried two colours ­ a royal and a regimental set. The royal colour was the Union Flag, while the regimental colour represented the facing colour of each regiment. Red was the colour for the 41st regiment, green for the 49th.

The idea to recreate the colours came from Brock alumnus Dave MacKenzie, said Doylend. She sourced the fabric and colour tones using historical references. Sadie Isaak, a Dramatic Arts graduate, made the flags.

The most time consuming work fell to Walker, who did months of embroidering on the colours. She did the work over the course of a year from summer 2010 to 2011 at her St. Catharines home studio and her family cottage. Each pattern had to be digitized before it was embroidered.

It was difficult but rewarding work, said Walker, who volunteered her involvement.

“I like the challenge,” she said. “It’s gratifying to see them now. They could be used for any event that pertains to Brock.”

The colours hang 1.8 by two metres in vivid colour. They are a welcome addition at Brock, said President Jack Lightstone.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, we now have a proud reminder of Niagara’s history and our University’s namesake,” he said.