Solemn ceremony in Brisbane for Anzac unit

A solemn ceremony has been held in Brisbane to honour the traditional colours of the first battalion to go ashore at Gallipoli.

The silk colours of the 9th Battalion were commemorated at St John's Anglican Cathedral on Saturday.

They'll be laid up next to their previous insignia, which has been hanging and decaying in the church since 1967.

It was an emotional ceremony for Brigadier Peter Smith, who received the old colours almost 50 years earlier.

"It's just like a funeral in a way," he said.

"The colours are laid up in hallowed places such as this.

"And there they stay, until they crumble into dust."

The service was also attended by Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey as well as the current commanding officer of the 9th Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Luke Hughes.

The Enoggera-based battalion had a very long and proud history, including being the first ashore at Gallipoli, Lt Col Hughes said.

He said the gesture of consecrating the colours as "venerated and blessed" items was an important ritual of remembrance.

"The are the greatest symbol of who we are, and who we have been," he said.