From:Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum
Name/TitleThe Australian Red Ensign Flag
About this object
This Australian Red Ensign is estimated to date from around 1910. The flag features hand-stitched construction and exhibits signs of wear, fading, and patina consistent with historical use. An ink inventory mark/stamp appears on the internal hoist edge (the canvas binding) of the flag: “ST PAULS CATH…”, the remaining letters are faded or obscured by the fold and wear, and most likely means Cathedral. Thus, the flag's inventory mark is most likely referring to St Paul’s Cathedral, London or St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, where it would have been used for major services and national occasions.
The design of the Australian Red Ensign mirrors that of the Australian National Flag, but is set on a red field. It consists of three principal elements: the British Union Flag in the upper left corner (canton), the white Commonwealth Star positioned beneath it, and the Southern Cross constellation displayed in white on the fly (right-hand side) of the flag.
Historically, the Blue Ensign (now the Australian National Flag) was reserved primarily for official government use and for the Royal Australian Navy, while the Red Ensign was widely used by civilians. During the early twentieth century, it was commonly flown on land by private citizens and organisations and was also carried by soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First and Second World Wars. At the same time, the Union Flag continued to be flown by many organisations and individuals throughout Australia.
The Australian Red Ensign is recognised as an official flag of Australia and is proclaimed under the Flags Act 1953 (Cth). The Act received Royal Assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 14 February 1954, following the opening of the Australian Parliament. This legislation clarified the status of Australia’s national symbols by formally designating the Blue Ensign as the Australian National Flag.
The Shipping Registration Act 1981 (Cth) subsequently established the Australian Red Ensign as the official flag to be flown by Australian-registered merchant ships
MakerUnknown
Maker RoleManufacturer
Date Madec.1910
Period20th-century
Place MadeAustralia
Medium and MaterialsCotton
Wool bunting
Metal
Rope
Stitched appliqué stars and canton
Inscription and MarksSt. Paul's and the other world may be shortened text, meaning Cathedral, likely referring to St Paul’s Cathedral, London. The remaining letters are faded or obscured by the fold and wear.
TechniqueHand Sewn
Measurements 320 cm x 183 cm
Subject and Association KeywordsAustralian National Flags
Object TypeNational flags
Object number2026.1019
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
