Original British WWII British Royal Navy Canvas Blue Ensign – 38” x 18 ½” Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In British maritime law and custom, an ensign is the identifying flag flown to designate a British ship, either military or civilian. Such flags display the United Kingdom Union Flag in the canton (the upper corner next to the staff), with either a red, white or blue field, depending on whether the vessel is civilian, naval, or in a special category. These are known as the red, white, and blue ensigns respectively.

Outside the nautical sphere, ensigns are used to designate many other military units, government departments and administrative divisions. These flags are modeled on the red, white, and blue naval ensigns, but may use different colors for the field, and be defaced by the addition of a badge or symbol, for example the sky blue with concentric red, white and blue circles of the Royal Air Force ensign.

The Union Flag (also known as the Union Jack) should be flown as a jack by Royal Navy ships only when moored or at anchor. If flown while underway, the ship must be dressed for a special occasion or celebration with masthead ensigns, otherwise it signals that the Monarch or an Admiral of the Fleet is on board. The Union Flag may also signal that a court martial is in progress.

The use of the Union Flag as an ensign on a civilian craft is still illegal, unless it has a white border, ever since Charles I ordered it be restricted to His Majesty’s ships “upon pain of Our high displeasure” in the 17th century, mainly due to its unauthorized use by merchant mariners to avoid paying harbor duties by passing themselves off as Royal vessels.

The Blue Ensign, which features a dark blue field with the Union Flag in the canton, undefaced is worn by masters of vessels in possession of a warrant issued by the Director of Naval Reserves, and by the members of certain yacht clubs. Such warrants are issued to officers in the active or retired lists of the Royal Naval Reserve and the maritime reserve forces of other Commonwealth realms and territories. The master must be of the rank of lieutenant RN or above, and fishing vessels must be crewed by at least four other Royal Naval reservists or pensioners. The Ensign of the Sea Cadet Corps is a blue ensign defaced by the SCC badge. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defense, officers of the Sea Cadet Corps hold their ranks as (SCC) RNR on a ‘nominal honorific’ basis, and are included on the Navy List as a courtesy (though they are not commissioned, but ‘appointed’ within the Corps).

This canvas constructed flag is in great condition with minor fading and no significant damage present. This was a flag that was flown for many years and was cared for, as all your country’s flags should be.

A wonderful example that comes more than ready for display.