Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan possessed a unique vexillological status within the British sphere of influence because the territory was legally a condominium under the joint sovereignty of the UK and Egypt, rather than a standard crown colony or protectorate. Consequently, the administration didn't adopt a distinctive Blue Ensign or Red Ensign defaced with a territorial badge for general usage. The flag protocol was strictly defined by Article 3 of the Condominium Agreement signed by Lord Cromer and Boutros Ghali on January 19, 1899 which mandated that the British and Egyptian flags should be used together on both land and water throughout the territory, with the exception of the town of Suakin where initially only the Egyptian flag was used. The sole deviation from the absence of a specific British-style ensign was the flag authorised for the Governor-General of the Sudan. The Governor-General utilised the Union Flag defaced in the centre with a white disc surrounded by a green laurel garland. The disc bore the specific inscription GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE SUDAN in black capital letters. This flag served as the personal standard of the highest ranking British official and was flown on the palace in Khartoum and on the official steamer during travel on the Nile. The customs service of the Sudan also utilised a distinctive flag, which was not a Blue Ensign but a green flag defaced with the badge of the Sudan Customs Administration, although this was a departmental flag rather than a national ensign. Regarding the merchant marine, there was no authorised Sudan Red Ensign. Commercial vessels registered in Port Sudan or operating on the river system were required to fly either the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom or the national flag of Egypt, depending on their specific registry. The dual flag arrangement and the Governor-General's defaced Union Flag remained in use until the independence of the Sudan on January 1, 1956.
British Central Africa Protectorate
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by Clay Moss |
The British Central Africa Protectorate (BCA) existed in the area of present-day Malawi between 1891 and 1907. The primary flag authorised for use by the government was the Blue Ensign defaced with the territorial badge. Sir Harry Johnston, the first Commissioner, designed this badge in 1893, choosing a coffee tree in full bearing to represent the primary agricultural export of the Shire Highlands. The British Admiralty officially approved this design for use on the Blue Ensign in 1894. Regarding the Red Ensign, the protectorate didn't receive a specific Admiralty warrant authorising a Red Ensign defaced with the coffee tree badge for civilian merchant vessels. Consequently, commercial shipping registered in the protectorate was legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom. The usage of the coffee tree badge on the Blue Ensign and the Union Flag continued until the territory was renamed the Nyasaland Protectorate on July 6, 1907.
British East Africa (Kenya)
Witu Protectorate
Witu Protectorate
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The Witu Protectorate, established on June 18, 1890, by the German Empire before being transferred to the British East Africa Protectorate on July 1, 1890, adopted a flag consisting of a red field defaced with a small Union Flag placed directly in the centre. This design symbolised the dual nature of the administration, retaining the traditional red flag of the Sultan of Zanzibar and the Swahili coast to denote local sovereignty while superimposing the British emblem to signify the protectorate status. The usage of this flag became official following the punitive expedition led by Admiral Fremantle against Sultan Fumo Bakari in October 1890 and the subsequent installation of a compliant ruler. This flag served as the state symbol of Witu and was distinct from the Blue and Red Ensigns of the Imperial British East Africa Company, which operated in the adjacent territories. The red flag with the central Union Jack remained in usage until the formal dissolution of the Witu Protectorate and its administrative absorption into the Coast Province of the Kenya Colony and Protectorate on July 23, 1920. Imperial British East Africa Company
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| by Martin Grieve |
The primary heraldic badge adopted by the company consisted of a golden sun in splendour surmounted by the Imperial Crown. This design was intended to symbolise the company motto Lux et Libertas. The British Admiralty issued a warrant authorising the company to fly the Blue Ensign defaced with this badge on vessels owned and operated by the corporation. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, featuring a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the golden sun and crown emblem with 16 rays (8 longer 8 shorter) and the crown in white
disc and Blue and red Ensign with 24 rays (8 longer 16 shorter) and the
crown without white disc. This Blue Ensign served as the principal flag of authority at company fortifications and administrative posts such as Mombasa, Machakos, and Fort Smith. 
Regarding the Red Ensign, the company utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the same badge for its merchant vessels and for general civil identification within the territory. This flag featured a red field with the Union Flag in the upper canton and the sun and crown badge situated in the centre of the fly. The Administrator of the company utilised a personal standard consisting of the Union Flag defaced with the company badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves. The usage of these specific ensigns ceased on July 1, 1895, when the company surrendered its charter due to financial insolvency and the British Foreign Office assumed direct administration of the territory, establishing the East Africa Protectorate. Following this transfer, the sun and crown badge was retired and replaced by the badge of the red lion, which was subsequently applied to the ensigns of the new colonial administration.
British East Africa (Kenya)
Upon the establishment of the East Africa Protectorate on July 1, 1895, following the dissolution of the Imperial British East Africa Company, the administration adopted a new heraldic badge to distinguish the territory within the British Empire. This badge consisted of a red lion rampant guardant to represent the British connection. The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this badge on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the government of the protectorate. This red lion badge was rendered on a white disc and displayed on the Blue Ensign in the fly, following the standard Colonial Office format for protectorate flags. The red lion was derived from the royal arms of England, asserting direct Crown authority over the territory in contrast to the delegated commercial authority of the preceding company period. The white disc provided a contrasting background that made the red lion visible against the blue field of the ensign at distance, a practical consideration for flag identification at sea and at coastal installations. This format, the red lion on a white disc on the Blue Ensign, served as the official governmental flag of the East Africa Protectorate from 1895 to 1921. 
The third phase began on June 11, 1920, when the East Africa Protectorate was formally annexed as a Crown colony and renamed the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, effective from 1921. The red lion badge was retained without alteration to its design, but the manner of its display on the Blue Ensign was modified. The white disc was removed, and the red lion was placed directly on the blue field of the ensign in the fly, without any intervening disc or background. This change conformed to a broader Colonial Office revision of badge display standards that affected numerous colonial ensigns during the interwar period. The removal of the white disc gave the badge a more integrated appearance on the ensign but reduced its visibility at distance compared to the earlier format. This version, the red lion badge displayed directly on the Blue Ensign without a disc, served as the official governmental flag of Kenya from 1921 until independence on December 12, 1963. The fourth element of the flag sequence concerned the Governor's flag, which maintained a distinct format throughout the entire period from 1895 to 1963. The Governor's flag consisted of the Union Jack bearing the red lion badge on a white disc surrounded by a garland of laurel leaves, displayed in the centre of the flag. 
This format was standard across British colonial governors' flags and distinguished the governor's personal standard from the general governmental Blue Ensign. The garland surrounding the white disc was a specific indicator of gubernatorial rank within the colonial flag hierarchy, as governors of colonies and protectorates bore the garland whilst lesser officials such as lieutenant governors used variations without the garland or with modified surrounds. The Governor's flag was flown at Government House in Nairobi, which became the administrative capital of the protectorate in 1907 following the transfer from Mombasa, and was carried on the governor's official vehicle and displayed at ceremonial functions. Each successive governor from Sir Arthur Hardinge, the first Commissioner appointed in 1895, through to Malcolm MacDonald, the last Governor who oversaw the transition to independence, flew this flag as the personal symbol of their office. |
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From the Bruce Berry collection |
The flag former US President Obama's father grew up honouring on display in my classroom. My
flag has the rope attachment toggle and is in excellent condition with
only a few dark stains on the 'blue' with 'Kenya' stamped on the
flagpole side. 4 feet by 8 feet 6 inches. 
Measures 57" x 113", rope is 79" from brass ring to brass clasp. Stamped on the flag: Flag, National, Kenya Cotton Bunting P.Q.M.C. Mfg. Div. 5' x 10'
They were a protectorate and a mandated territory respectively, whose inhabitants were not British subjects, and were therefore not entitled to use a plain Red Ensign. It might be argued that Kenya also should have had a distinctive Red Ensign. Although the interior of the country was a colony after 1920, the coastal strip, formerly known as Witu, remained a protectorate. This caused a problem in 1956 when the Board of Trade Registrar in Plymouth refused to register a ship belonging to Southern Lines Ltd of Kenya, on the grounds that the company's head office was in Mombasa, which was in the protectorate and not the colony. The ship could not sail under the Kenyan Ensign, since such an ensign had not been warranted, and it could not sail under the plain Red Ensign as the ship was owned by a company that was not "established under and subject to the laws of some part of HM dominions." The company was advised to either transfer ownership of the vessel to another company, or register it in the name of a British subject, or move its head quarters to Nairobi, which was within the colony.
Governor's flag (1895-1963)
The flag of British East Africa is the national banner of the Empire, bearing upon the intersection of the crosses a red lion, rampant, or aggressively walking forward on his hind legs...encircled by a wreath. No explanation why British East Africa doesn't follow the badge-ensign model. Josh FruhlingerBritish Somaliland
1903 - 1950
The British Somaliland Protectorate adopted its first distinctive vexillological symbols following the authorisation of a territorial badge by the British Admiralty on December 18, 1903. This badge consisted of the head and neck of a Greater Kudu antelope in natural colours, positioned on a white disc. The primary flag for government vessels was the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom defaced with this Kudu badge in the centre of the fly. The Commissioner of the protectorate utilised the Union Flag defaced with the Kudu badge surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves in the centre. Although the British Admiralty didn't issue a warrant for a Red Ensign defaced with the Kudu badge for civilian use, merchant vessels operating from Berbera frequently flew an unauthorised Red Ensign with the badge in the fly to denote local origin. .png) |
| 1950-1960 |
The lower section of the shield, the base, was blue and charged with an Arabian dhow in full sail upon stylised white and blue wavy lines, representing the maritime commerce of the Gulf of Aden and the port of Berbera. Above the shield, the design included a crest consisting of the head and neck of a Greater Kudu in natural colours, facing the hoist, set upon a wreath of gold and green, which preserved the visual continuity with the earlier 1903 badge. The lower section of the shield was blue and depicted a white Arabian dhow in full sail upon stylised white and blue waves, representing the maritime commerce of the Gulf of Aden. The crest situated above the helmet retained the head of the Kudu from the original 1903 badge, ensuring a visual continuity with the previous symbol, whilst the torse and mantling were coloured gold and green to reflect the desert and the vegetation. 
Following this grant, the Admiralty authorised the replacement of the simple Kudu disc on the Blue Ensign with the full coat of arms. The Governor of the protectorate subsequently utilised the Union Flag defaced with the complete 1950 arms on a white disc surrounded by the laurel garland. These updated ensigns remained the official symbols of the territory until the protectorate achieved independence on June 26, 1960, and adopted the blue flag with the white star, rendering the British heraldry obsolete. regarding the Red Ensign, the protectorate never received a warrant for a civilian ensign defaced with either the 1903 Kudu or the 1950 arms, meaning that merchant vessels registered in Berbera were legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom throughout the entire colonial period.
The British West African territories each flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing their individual colonial badges in the fly. The four principal territories comprising British West Africa were the Gold Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia, each of which maintained its own distinctive badge and ensign throughout the colonial period.The Gold Coast badge depicted an elephant beneath a palm tree, with a cocoa tree in the background, rendered on a white disc with the inscription "Gold Coast" around the circumference. The elephant and palm tree imagery referenced the territory's tropical fauna and flora, whilst the cocoa tree represented the crop that dominated the colony's export economy.  |
| West African Settlements Governor's flag |
In the British publications, the Elephant is shown in a brown shading with some natural shadowing effect in order that the animal is three-dimensionally depicted. "De Grossen Flaggenbuch" which is a re-print of the original 1939 edition, shows this Elephant with two distinct differences:
i The Elephant is grey in colour as opposed to brown
ii The trunk of the Elephant is more "sineous" or "twisted" as opposed to a rather slenderly-curved form which appear in the various British publications from and before this time.
The basic elements which constitute the "template badge" are of course what matters the most here, and given the fact that it is probable that more than one person painted this emblem on to the flags, we could expect to see many "variations on the same theme".
I have used a "hybrid" or "compromise" version in drawing these images - the Elephant from Flaggenbuch, but the shading in brown (confused yet?):-) Martin Grieve
The Gambia
The Gambia flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly. The earliest badge used on the ensign depicted an elephant standing beneath a palm tree within a circular frame, rendered on a white disc with the inscription "Gambia" around the circumference. This early badge was visually similar to the badges of the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone, all three West African colonies employing the elephant and palm tree combination, creating difficulties in distinguishing the ensigns at distance. The badge underwent several revisions during the colony's existence. An early version used following the Admiralty circular of 1869 depicted the elephant and palm tree in a relatively crude rendering consistent with the limited artistic standards of mid-Victorian colonial badge production. 
A subsequent revision refined the depiction, producing a more naturalistic rendering of the elephant and altering the species and style of the palm tree.A further significant revision replaced the elephant and palm tree device entirely with a new badge depicting a groundnut plant, reflecting the crop that had come to dominate the colony's export economy almost entirely. The groundnut, introduced as a commercial crop during the mid 19th century, accounted for over 90% of the colony's export revenue by the early 20th century, and its adoption as the central element of the colonial badge acknowledged the overwhelming economic significance of the crop to the territory. The groundnut badge was rendered within a circular frame on a white disc bearing the inscription "Gambia" around the circumference and displayed on the Blue Ensign in the fly. 
The Red Ensign bearing the Gambia badge on a white disc was used in civilian maritime contexts by vessels registered at the colony's port of Bathurst and by vessels operating on the Gambia River, which constituted the territory's primary commercial waterway and geographical defining feature. The Governor's flag consisted of the Union Jack bearing the Gambia badge on a white disc surrounded by a laurel garland in the centre. The Blue Ensign bearing the Gambia badge served until independence on February 18, 1965, when the colonial ensign was lowered at Bathurst and replaced by the new national flag of the Gambia. The ground of the Gambia badge is yellow, and shows a brown elephant standing in front of a palm-tree between green mountains. In base is the initial letter "G" in red. When this badge appears on the Union Flag it is surrounded by the garland, while on the Blue Ensign it has no garland. Before the Gold Coast became the self-governing dominion of Ghana on March 6th, 1957, its badge was similar to that of Gambia but bore the initials "G.C." It was displayed on the Union Flag and the Blue Ensign in like manner. Jarig Bakker
Beautifully-sewn badge on replica flag with rope and toggle, measuring approximately 1 yard (36” x 18”). The badge is heavy and very detailed, and applied to the front only. Personal collection.
Blue Ensign with the badge of the Gold Coast. The ensign is made of
wool bunting with a linen hoist and is machine sewn with a rope halyard
attached. The ends are sewn and the sides are the selvedges of the
fabric. The field is blue with a Union Flag in the canton. It has a
printed circular badge depicting a brown elephant under a palm tree with
the letters 'G.C' below. The ensign is inscribed 'MP' on the hoist. The
design was used 1877-1957 when the Gold Coast was under British rule.
It was granted self government as Ghana on 6 March 1957.
The Gold Coast Colony flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly from the formal establishment of the Crown colony in 1874, with the badge standardised following the Admiralty circular of 1869. The sequence of badges used on the ensign passed through several distinct phases reflecting changes in the colony's heraldic representation.
The earliest badge, used from the late 1870s, depicted a simple circular device containing the letters GC intertwined beneath a royal crown, rendered on a white disc. This basic monogram badge was consistent with the minimalist approach to colonial badge design prevalent during the early period of badge standardisation, when many colonies received simple initial-based devices rather than elaborate pictorial badges. This was replaced by a more elaborate badge depicting an elephant beneath a palm tree, rendered on a white disc with the inscription "Gold Coast" around the circumference. The elephant and palm tree device became the colony's most recognisable badge and served for the longest period. The elephant referenced the ivory trade that had historically been one of the principal commercial activities of the coast alongside the gold trade from which the colony derived its name. The palm tree represented the tropical vegetation of the coastal and forest zones. The badge was displayed on the Blue Ensign for official governmental purposes, flown at the administrative headquarters at Christiansborg Castle in Accra, at Cape Coast Castle which had served as the earlier administrative centre, and at district stations across the colony.
The Governor's flag consisted of the Union Jack bearing the Gold Coast badge on a white disc surrounded by a laurel garland in the centre. The example shown here is a glorious
36" x 19" car flag from the last Governor of the Gold Coast with gilt
fringing to the edges. The flag comes from a collection of uniforms and
memorabilia from Assistant Commissioner Ernest Oughton of the Gold Coast
Police who was responsible for the Mounted Governor's escort and may
indeed be the same the one that is shown flying from the Governor's Car
on Independence day in 1957. 
The colony's flag arrangements were complicated by the existence of several associated territories administered alongside the Gold Coast Colony proper. The Ashanti protectorate, annexed following the defeat of the Asante kingdom in 1896 and formally constituted as a Crown colony in 1901, did not possess a separate badge or ensign but was administered under the authority of the Gold Coast Governor. The Northern Territories protectorate, established in 1901 over the territories north of Ashanti, similarly lacked a separate badge. British Togoland, the western portion of the former German colony of Togo administered as a League of Nations mandate and subsequently a United Nations trust territory from 1922, was likewise administered under the Gold Coast Governor without a separate badge or ensign. All four territories flew the Gold Coast Blue Ensign as their official flag. The Blue Ensign bearing the Gold Coast badge served until independence on March 6, 1957, when the colony, together with Ashanti, the Northern Territories, and British Togoland, became the independent nation of Ghana. The colonial ensign was lowered and replaced by the new Ghanaian national flag of red, gold, and green horizontal stripes bearing a black star in the centre.
The Gold Coast Colony flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly from the formal establishment of the Crown colony in 1874, with the badge standardised following the Admiralty circular of 1869. The sequence of badges used on the ensign passed through several distinct phases reflecting changes in the colony's heraldic representation.
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Civil ensign; personal Collection |
The Governor's flag consisted of the Union Jack bearing the Gold Coast badge on a white disc surrounded by a laurel garland in the centre. The example shown here is a glorious
36" x 19" car flag from the last Governor of the Gold Coast with gilt
fringing to the edges. The flag comes from a collection of uniforms and
memorabilia from Assistant Commissioner Ernest Oughton of the Gold Coast
Police who was responsible for the Mounted Governor's escort and may
indeed be the same the one that is shown flying from the Governor's Car
on Independence day in 1957. The colony's flag arrangements were complicated by the existence of several associated territories administered alongside the Gold Coast Colony proper. The Ashanti protectorate, annexed following the defeat of the Asante kingdom in 1896 and formally constituted as a Crown colony in 1901, did not possess a separate badge or ensign but was administered under the authority of the Gold Coast Governor. The Northern Territories protectorate, established in 1901 over the territories north of Ashanti, similarly lacked a separate badge. British Togoland, the western portion of the former German colony of Togo administered as a League of Nations mandate and subsequently a United Nations trust territory from 1922, was likewise administered under the Gold Coast Governor without a separate badge or ensign. All four territories flew the Gold Coast Blue Ensign as their official flag. The Blue Ensign bearing the Gold Coast badge served until independence on March 6, 1957, when the colony, together with Ashanti, the Northern Territories, and British Togoland, became the independent nation of Ghana. The colonial ensign was lowered and replaced by the new Ghanaian national flag of red, gold, and green horizontal stripes bearing a black star in the centre. 
Lagos
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| 1886-1906 |
The design was intended to standardise the colonial symbolism across British West Africa, utilising the elephant motif found in the badges of the Gambia, Sierra Leone, and the Gold Coast. This badge was applied to the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the colonial government, particularly those patrolling the Lagos lagoon and harbour. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the elephant badge, an authentic version of which is shown here on the right. 
The Governor of Lagos utilised the Union Flag defaced with the same elephant badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. Regarding the Red Ensign, the Lagos merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the colonial badge to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Lagos Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the colony. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the elephant badge centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Lagos ensigns was legally terminated on February 16, 1906, when the Colony of Lagos was merged with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria to form the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. Following this amalgamation, the Lagos badge was retired, and the territory adopted the new Southern Nigeria badge. Nigeria
The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly from the amalgamation of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria on January 1, 1914, under the direction of Sir Frederick Lugard, who became the first Governor General of the unified territory. The sequence of badges used on the Nigerian ensign passed through several distinct phases.  |
| image by Clay Moss |
further significant revision occurred when Nigeria received a formal coat of arms. The updated badge depicted a black shield bearing a white pall wavy, representing the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers at Lokoja, the geographical feature that defined the territory's river system. The shield was surmounted by a royal crown and flanked by two white horses as supporters. The pall wavy device was a heraldic representation of the Y-shaped river junction where the Niger flowing from the north-west met the Benue flowing from the north-east, the two rivers merging to flow southward to the Niger Delta and the sea. This design echoed the Y device that had appeared on the earlier Royal Niger Company badge. The revised arms were rendered within a circular frame and displayed on the Blue Ensign in the fly, replacing the earlier hexagram badge. The Red Ensign bearing the Nigerian badge on a white disc was used in civilian maritime contexts by vessels registered at the colony's ports, principally Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, and Sapele. 
The Governor General's flag shown above consisted of the Union Jack bearing the Nigerian badge on a white disc surrounded by a laurel garland in the centre. This flag was flown at Government House in Lagos; on the left shows the arrival of Sir Frederick Lugard (formerly Governor of Hong Kong from 1907
to 1912 and chiefly responsible for the creation of the University of
Hong Kong in 1911) at Calabar, December 1912, looking down on the scene
at the Calabar landing stage on his tour of the Central and Eastern
Provinces of Nigeria of December 2-15. In the foreground a guard of
honour stands at attention, with a group of civil and military officials
gathered beside the landing stage watching Lugard's departure in the
motor car which can be seen rounding the corner in the background. The pre-amalgamation territories had each flown their own Blue Ensigns bearing individual badges. The Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, administered from Zungeru and subsequently from Kaduna, flew a Blue Ensign bearing a badge depicting a green triangle representing the territory's northern position. The Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, administered from Lagos, flew a Blue Ensign bearing its own distinctive badge following the amalgamation of the Colony of Lagos with the Niger Coast Protectorate on May 1, 1906. The earlier Niger Coast Protectorate, which had replaced the Oil Rivers Protectorate in 1893, had itself flown a Blue Ensign bearing a badge depicting a crown above intertwined letters. These individual territorial ensigns were all superseded by the unified Nigerian Blue Ensign on January 1, 1914. Nigeria's constitutional evolution during the 1950s, which progressively devolved authority to regional governments in the Northern, Western, and Eastern Regions, did not result in the adoption of separate regional ensigns, although each region received its own coat of arms. The Blue Ensign bearing the Nigerian badge served until independence on October 1, 1960, when the colonial ensign was lowered at Lagos and replaced by the new Nigerian national flag of green, white, and green vertical stripes.
Ensign of the Director of the Nigeria Marine. The bunting is wool and synthetic fibre blend and the ensign has a cotton hoist containing a rope for hoisting, a wooden batten and a brass eyelet. The ensign is machine sewn with a printed badge within a blue field with a Union Flag in the canton and a red disc in the hoist, on which is a six-pointed green star with a gold crown in the centre and 'NIGERIA' in white letters. Stencilled on the hoist is the maker's name and '4 x 2 195...' The flag was worn on Captain F. W. J. Skutil's last official tour of Nigeria Marine stations and flown on the headquarters flagstaff on the last day before independence. The green star badge was based on the design on a brass jug acquired by British troops after the defeat of the Emir of Kontagora in January 1901. Frederick John Dealtry Lugard (1858-1945) suggested it as a badge for Northern Nigeria and it was adopted for the country as a whole when Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914.
Royal Niger Company
The Royal Niger Company utilised a highly unusual White Ensign. The company's badge depicted a black Y shape with the words "Ars," "Jus," and "Pax" inscribed on the three arms, surrounded by a red ring. The Y represented the geographical configuration of the Niger river system, with the north-western arm depicting the Quorra, the north-eastern arm depicting the Benue, and the southern arm depicting the united river flowing from the confluence at Lokoja to the sea. The badge was designed by G.D. Goldie-Taubman, Vice-Chairman of the company, who stated that the meaning of the colours was self-evident. The Foreign Office considered the badge unsuitable but didn't prevent its submission to the Admiralty. The Admiralty approved the badge for use on the fly of the Saint George's Cross White Ensign on June 2, 1887, on the presumption that its use would be confined to inland waterways. The company however used the badge on a plain White Ensign rather than on the Saint George's Cross variant, and flew this flag at sea as well as on the inland river system. When the Admiralty discovered this unauthorised usage, it withdrew the White Ensign warrant on February 1, 1888, and simultaneously issued a new warrant authorising the use of the badge on the Blue Ensign. The company likely continued to fly the plain White Ensign without authorisation until approximately June 1888 whilst it argued with the Admiralty over the withdrawal. On June 18, 1888, the company was instructed to fly the plain undefaced Red Ensign on its merchant vessels, restricting the defaced Blue Ensign to governmental and administrative use. The defaced Blue Ensign bearing the Y badge was presumably used at the company's administrative stations and on its governmental vessels from February 1, 1888, until the surrender of the company's charter on January 1, 1900.
Sierra Leone
The Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone utilised a distinct sequence of vexillological symbols to denote its administrative status within the British Empire. Following the dissolution of the West African Settlements on November 28, 1888, the colony initially adopted a badge in 1889 to distinguish its government vessels. This badge consisted of an elephant standing in front of an oil palm tree against a sunset background, with the initials S.L. for Sierra Leone inscribed in the exergue. The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this badge on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the colonial government. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the elephant badge. The Governor of Sierra Leone utilised the Union Flag defaced with the same badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. On July 30, 1914, King George V granted a new coat of arms to the colony via Royal Warrant, which necessitated a change in the vexillological symbols. The new heraldic achievement featured a shield divided horizontally. The chief, or upper section, displayed the Union Flag device to symbolise the imperial connection and the loyalty of the liberated slaves. The base, or lower section, divided into white and blue halves, depicted a liberated slave seated on the shore extending his right hand towards a sailing ship in the offing, representing the historical role of the Royal Navy in suppressing the slave trade. The Latin motto Auspice Britannia Liber, meaning Free under the auspices of Britain, appeared on a scroll beneath the shield. The Admiralty authorised the replacement of the elephant badge with this new coat of arms on the Blue Ensign, where it was typically placed upon a white disc to ensure visibility against the blue field.
Sierra Leone
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| 1889-1914 |
Regarding the Red Ensign, the merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the 1914 arms to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was generally restrictive, the Sierra Leone Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the colony. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full coat of arms centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Sierra Leone ensigns was legally terminated on April 27, 1961, when the colony achieved independence. The colonial flags were retired in favour of the green, white, and blue tricolour.The badge is described in my copy of Carr's Flags of the World 1956 page 84 as follows, "In the top part of the shield is the Union Flag as it was prior to 1801 - with only the Crosses of St George and St Andrew. The lower part of the shield is divided into halves by a vertical line. On the one side is a liberated slave seated on the seashore with a ship in the offing; on the other on a golden ground, is a green palm-tree. Underneath is the motto: "Auspice Britannia Liber" (Free under Britain's protection)."
1916-1961
The National Geographic of Sept. 1934 has the palm tree on a dark brown background, and the badge generally looks darker than, e.g., in Kannik.
British Cameroon
The British Cameroon mandate utilised a distinctive local badge featuring a bunch of yellow bananas to denote its specific economic and territorial identity separate from the Colony of Nigeria. This badge consisted of a circular disc displaying a substantial bunch of ripe yellow bananas, typically depicted in natural colours against a light background, which was encircled by a border containing the specific inscription BRITISH CAMEROON in capital letters. Although the Admiralty didn't issue a formal Royal Warrant authorising this badge for use on the official Blue Ensign of the territory, which legally utilised the Nigerian Blue Ensign due to the administrative union, the banana badge served as the de facto emblem for the region. The design was heavily associated with the Cameroons Development Corporation, the statutory authority responsible for the vast banana plantations that formed the economic backbone of the territory. Merchant vessels operating out of the ports of Victoria and Tiko frequently flew an unofficial Red Ensign defaced with this banana badge in the centre of the fly to distinguish themselves from Nigerian shipping, especially during the transitional period between October 1, 1960, when Nigeria achieved independence, and October 1, 1961, when the British trusteeship was terminated. During this twelve month interval, the Southern Cameroons existed as a separate entity, and the banana badge on the Blue and Red Ensigns functioned as the primary vexillological representation of the territory in the absence of a new royal grant. The inscription BRITISH CAMEROON on the badge specifically reinforced the separate status of the mandate from the French Cameroun to the east. Tanganyika 1919-1961
From a British Pathe film about Tanganyika made in 1961.
The Tanganyika Territory utilised a specific vexillological symbol authorised by the British Admiralty following the formal assumption of the League of Nations mandate by the United Kingdom on July 20, 1922. The territory of Tanganyika passed from German colonial control to British administration following the First World War. The German colony of German East Africa had flown the German imperial flag bearing the colonial badge from the formal establishment of the colony in 1891 until the surrender of German forces under General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck on November 25, 1918.
The primary heraldic device adopted for the territory was a badge consisting of the head of a giraffe in natural colours, positioned on a white disc. This design was selected to represent the distinct fauna of the region. The
giraffe was native to the territory's extensive savanna grasslands and
was selected as a distinctive device that differentiated the Tanganyikan
badge from those of the neighbouring East African territories of Kenya
and Uganda. The British Admiralty officially approved this badge for use on the Blue Ensign in 1923. The Blue Ensign was defaced in the centre of the fly with the giraffe head badge. This ensign was restricted to vessels owned or operated by the colonial government, such as those of the customs service or local administration on Lake Tanganyika and the Indian Ocean coast. 
On the left is an example of the colinial flag from the Clay Moss collection. Below are photographs from the December 1962 visit of Sir Richard Turnbull, the last British colonial Governor of Tanganyika where soldiers of the Tanganyika Rifles present their colours whilst the right shows his farewell to them as his flag flies above him. The colonial ensign was lowered at Dar es Salaam and replaced by the new national flag. Tanganyika subsequently merged with Zanzibar on April 26, 1964, to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Governor of Tanganyika utilised the Union Flag defaced with the same giraffe badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard to denote his rank as the representative of the Crown. Regarding the Red Ensign, the territory did not receive a specific Admiralty warrant authorising a Red Ensign defaced with the giraffe badge for civilian merchant vessels.
Consequently, commercial shipping registered in Dar es Salaam or Tanga was legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act.
Here on the right is another authentic flag marked "Flag National Tanganyika" made of cotton bunting and reading on the hoist "P.Q.M.C. Mfg. Div. 5' x 10'." The usage of the distinct Tanganyika Blue Ensign and Governor's standard continued until the territory achieved independence on December 9, 1961. Following this transition, the giraffe symbolism was retained in the supporters of the new national coat of arms, but the British ensigns were retired in favour of the green, black, and gold flag.
The Tanganyika Territory utilised a specific vexillological symbol authorised by the British Admiralty following the formal assumption of the League of Nations mandate by the United Kingdom on July 20, 1922. The territory of Tanganyika passed from German colonial control to British administration following the First World War. The German colony of German East Africa had flown the German imperial flag bearing the colonial badge from the formal establishment of the colony in 1891 until the surrender of German forces under General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck on November 25, 1918.
After the defeat of Germany in 1918 in World War I, under the Treaty of Versailles German East Africa was divided among the victorious powers, with the largest segment being transferred to British control (except Rwanda and Burundi which went to Belgium, and the small Kionga Triangle which went to Portuguese Mozambique). A new name was needed, and Tanganyika was adopted by the British for all of its part of the territory of German East Africa.
Red Ensign - white disc with Giraffe's neck and head. The white disk's diameter = 4/9 of flag height. Badge from Flaggenbuch (1939) by Ottfried Nubecker.
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| image by Martin Grieve |
On the left is an example of the colinial flag from the Clay Moss collection. Below are photographs from the December 1962 visit of Sir Richard Turnbull, the last British colonial Governor of Tanganyika where soldiers of the Tanganyika Rifles present their colours whilst the right shows his farewell to them as his flag flies above him. The colonial ensign was lowered at Dar es Salaam and replaced by the new national flag. Tanganyika subsequently merged with Zanzibar on April 26, 1964, to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Governor of Tanganyika utilised the Union Flag defaced with the same giraffe badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard to denote his rank as the representative of the Crown. Regarding the Red Ensign, the territory did not receive a specific Admiralty warrant authorising a Red Ensign defaced with the giraffe badge for civilian merchant vessels.
Consequently, commercial shipping registered in Dar es Salaam or Tanga was legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act. Here on the right is another authentic flag marked "Flag National Tanganyika" made of cotton bunting and reading on the hoist "P.Q.M.C. Mfg. Div. 5' x 10'." The usage of the distinct Tanganyika Blue Ensign and Governor's standard continued until the territory achieved independence on December 9, 1961. Following this transition, the giraffe symbolism was retained in the supporters of the new national coat of arms, but the British ensigns were retired in favour of the green, black, and gold flag.
From my personal collection:
Second World War era Red Ensign Flag dated 1944. Size 52" x 2"; personal collection
Sultanate of M'Simbati
UgandaM'Simbati is an island or peninsula in southeastern Tanzania. In 1959 Mr. Latham Leslie-Moore, a retired civil servant, declared the secession of the "Sultanate of M'Simbati" from the then colony of Tanganyika. He designed a flag for this "Sultanate", which was flying over his house, until the "secession" was suppressed in 1962 by Tanzanian government troops.
There is a black and white photograph of the flag on p. 80 of the article "The White Sultan" by Charles Miller which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post on 20 April 1963. See also an article in The Flag Bulletin, No. 204 (2002) by Dr. Whitney Smith.
The Uganda Protectorate flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly. The earliest badge used on the ensign depicted a simple circular device, consistent with the early period of colonial badge standardisation. This early badge was replaced by a more distinctive design depicting the Uganda crane, a grey crowned crane native to the wetlands and lakeshores of the protectorate. The crane was rendered in natural colours, standing on one leg in the characteristic pose of the species, on a white disc with the inscription "Uganda" around the circumference. The crane was selected as the protectorate's badge device due to its prominence in the Ugandan landscape and its significance in the traditions of the Buganda kingdom, the largest and most politically influential of the protectorate's constituent kingdoms. The badge was displayed on the Blue Ensign for official governmental purposes, flown at the administrative headquarters at Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria and at district stations across the protectorate. 
On the right is the Ugandan Olympic team, watching the raising of their flag November 5, 1956. Flaggenbuch shows the same image with some variations in the colours, the two bushes being "plain" green. However, due to the "artistic" design of the badges of this period, I doubt there was really an "official" version (except maybe the original model designed by a painter?) I also wonder how such designs could have been accurately reproduced on flags. Ivan Sache
On the left is a remarkable example of an actual flag of the Governor. The Governor's flag consisted of the Union Jack bearing the Uganda badge on a white disc surrounded by a laurel garland in the centre. This flag was flown at Government House in Entebbe. The
Red Ensign bearing the Uganda badge on a white disc was used in
civilian maritime contexts, primarily on vessels operating on Lake
Victoria, Lake Albert, and Lake Kyoga, and on the Nile between Lake
Victoria and Lake Albert. The Blue Ensign bearing the Uganda badge served until independence on October 9, 1962, when the protectorate became an independent nation under Prime Minister Milton Obote with the Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II, serving as the ceremonial head of state. The colonial ensign was lowered at Entebbe and replaced by the new national flag of Uganda bearing the Uganda crane in a white disc at the centre of horizontal stripes of black, yellow, and red. Royal East Africa Navy
Jack of the Royal East Africa Navy, worn by HMEAS 'Mvita' 1956. The flag is made of wool and synthetic fibre bunting with a cotton hoist, machine sewn and with the design of the badge printed. It has a blue field with a Union Flag in the canton as well as a circular badge surrounded by a cable knotted at the bottom and surmounted by a crown. In the four quarters of the badge are a red rampant lion representing Kenya, a crane for Uganda, a giraffe's head for Tanganyika and a dhow and crown for Zanzibar. Stencilled on the hoist are '1958 4 x 2' and the maker's name. A rope and two Inglefield clips are attached. The design was in use between 1957 and 1962 when the Royal East African Navy was disbanded. Colonial naval reserves in East Africa were amalgamated into a single organisation during the Second World War known as the East African Naval Force. The name was changed in 1952 at the same time as the design was submitted. It was finally approved in 1957.
Kenya & Uganda Railways & Harbours
Greg Koll obtained this glorious Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours administration ensign which was used from 1937-1949 on the ferries operating on Lake Victoria.The badge consisted of the stylised intertwined letters KUR, representing Kenya Uganda Railways, surmounted by a royal crown. The ensign was flown on the administration's vessels operating at the port of Mombasa and on the lake steamers on Lake Victoria connecting Kisumu with the Ugandan ports of Port Bell, Jinja, and Entebbe. The badge was superseded when the administration was merged into the broader East African Railways and Harbours organisation incorporating Tanganyika's railway and harbour system, at which point the Kenya and Uganda-specific ensign was retired and replaced by the East African Railways and Harbours ensign. The circular band surrounding the device bore the inscription "Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours" around the circumference. The ensign was flown on the administration's vessels operating at the port of Mombasa, which served as the principal harbour for both Kenya and Uganda, handling the import and export traffic for both territories through the railway connection between Mombasa and the Ugandan railhead at Kampala via Nairobi and Kisumu.
The ensign was also flown on the lake steamers operated by the administration on Lake Victoria, connecting the Kenyan port of Kisumu with the Ugandan ports of Port Bell, Jinja, and Entebbe, and with the Tanganyikan port of Mwanza. The administration was established as a joint service for the two territories following the completion of the Uganda Railway from Mombasa to Kisumu in December 1901 and its subsequent extension into Uganda. The badge's dhow imagery referenced the centuries-old Arab and Swahili maritime trading tradition of the East African coast, linking the modern colonial transport infrastructure to the pre-existing commercial networks of the Indian Ocean. The crown above the dhow signified the administration's status as a governmental rather than private enterprise, operating under the authority of the colonial governments of Kenya and Uganda. The Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours ensign was superseded when the administration was merged into the broader East African Railways and Harbours organisation, which incorporated the Tanganyika railway and harbour system into a unified transport authority serving all three East African territories. The badge was replaced by the East African Railways and Harbours badge, and the Kenya and Uganda-specific ensign was retired from service.
East African Railways and Harbours
The
East African Railways and Harbours administration flew a distinctive
ensign reflecting its status as a governmental transport authority
operating across the British East African territories. The badge
depicted a circular device containing the letters EARH intertwined or
arranged within the frame, surmounted by a royal crown. The badge
referenced the administration's responsibility for the railway and
harbour infrastructure serving Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika, the three
territories that were progressively integrated into a common transport
network during the early 20th century. The administration's ensign was
flown on vessels operated by the harbours division at the principal
ports of Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, and Tanga, and on the lake steamers
that the administration operated on Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and
Lake Nyasa. The lake steamer services constituted a critical element of
the East African transport network, connecting the railheads at Kisumu
on Lake Victoria, Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika, and other lakeside
terminals with ports across the lakes in neighbouring territories. The
vessels flying the EARH ensign on Lake Victoria connected the Kenyan
railhead at Kisumu with the Ugandan ports of Port Bell and Jinja and
with the Tanganyikan port of Mwanza. The administration was
reconstituted as the East African Railways and Harbours Corporation
following the establishment of the East African High Commission in 1948,
which created a common services organisation for the three territories.
The badge was modified to reflect the updated corporate identity, and
the ensign continued to be flown on the corporation's vessels throughout
the 1950s and into the independence period. The ensign remained in use
following the independence of Tanganyika on December 9, 1961, Uganda on
October 9, 1962, and Kenya on December 12, 1963, as the three newly
independent nations maintained the common services arrangement through
the East African Community established on December 1, 1967. The ensign
was finally retired when the East African Community collapsed in 1977
and the railway and harbour assets were divided amongst the three
successor national corporations.
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| image by Martin Grieve |
British Resident of Zanzibar (1890 - 1963)
The
British Resident of Zanzibar flew a distinctive flag reflecting the
unique constitutional status of Zanzibar as a British protectorate under
the nominal sovereignty of the Sultan. The Resident's flag consisted of
a Union Jack bearing a badge depicting a dhow under sail, representing
the maritime trading heritage of the Zanzibar sultanate and its
centuries-old commercial connections across the Indian Ocean. From "The Book of Flags" by Campbell and Evans 1965:"British Resident placed inside a garland at the centre of the Union Flag a picture of a dhow, a native boat with a triangular sail and flying a red flag, on a green sea against a blue sky. Above was the Royal Crown in red and gold".The Resident's flag was flown at the British Residency in Stone Town whilst the Blue Ensign bearing the same dhow badge in the fly was used for official governmental purposes at administrative installations across the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. The Red Ensign bearing the dhow badge on a white disc was used in civilian maritime contexts by vessels registered at the port of Zanzibar. The flag arrangements remained in place from the establishment of the protectorate on November 1, 1890, until independence on December 10, 1963, when the Resident's flag was lowered for the final time at the Residency in Stone Town.
Basutoland
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1951-1966 |
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| Governor's flag |
Natal Colony
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From the Bruce Berry collection |
An earlier rendering depicted the wildebeest in a relatively crude style consistent with the limited artistic standards applied to colonial badge production during the mid-Victorian period. A subsequent revision refined the depiction of the animal and the assegais, producing a more naturalistic rendering. A further modification altered the surrounding frame, with later versions incorporating the inscription "Natal" around the circumference of the circular badge. The final version of the badge depicted the wildebeest in a fully naturalistic style standing on a grassy ground beneath the crossed assegais, with a landscape background suggesting the rolling hills of the Natal interior. Natal did use the seal on their ensigns but the complicated design of the Seal did not lend itself to successful application on flags. To make the legends readable from both sides, manufacturers were obliged to sew two devices back to back. So subsequently a simplified version of the badge was used as the device on the fly of the Blue Ensign as shown below.
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| 0.84 X 1.8M |
Personal Collection: 36" x 18" (85cm x 40cm)
Some notes on the Natal Red Ensign:My business partner local artist Ted Brandon and I, were responsible for researching and reviving the Natal Red Ensign in the mid-1980s. Natal had always had a strong British connection and was considered a renegade Province by the rest of the country at that time. Ted designed the famous bumper sticker which had the fly half of the Union Jack on the right and the 1875 Captain Hine version of the Natal Arms on the left. The Sticker was red with the legend "Natal - the last outpost."
The design was derived from the Natal Red Ensign which from our research, seems to have been in use fairly extensively. The evidence is as follows.
1. The Killie Campbell Red Ensign whilst itself obviously being a home made job, is indicative of its existence elsewhere.
2. The Natal Technical College in Pietermaritzburg had a Natal Red Ensign which was flown each year on graduation day and possibly on other special occasions. This was properly manufactured and proportioned and had the Captain Hine Coat of Arms but with a much simplified colour scheme i.e. black on khaki. The Principal of the College claimed that the flag was an original relic from pre-Union days. Two other examples existed-one was displayed in the entrance hall of the old Natal Assembly Building and one was displayed in the Durban History Museum. The latter was a reproduction produced by another Durban Manufacturer. It is possible that the Tech example was also a reproduction, but even if it was, it again begs the question - reproduced from what example?
3.The Harbour master or Port Captain flew a Natal ensign pre-Union, which considering its Maritime/Civilian locality, was almost certainly a Red Ensign.
4.Several monochrome photos exist of the ensign pre-Union. One particular photograph taken on the Durban beachfront circa 1905 shows a display of two governors flags and two Ensigns. Whilst obviously one can not be certain whether the Ensigns are red or blue ,they appear lighter than the Union Jack blue in the rest of the flag and on a balance of probabilities, are thus likely to be Red Ensigns.
When one considers that there are no relic Natal Blue Ensigns (apart from, as far as I am aware, the Royal Natal Yacht Club Ensign) all the evidence points to a Natal Red Ensign ' a la Canada'. Also Captain Hines Wildebeest were in retreat. This was corrected by the York Heralds in 1904/5. The modern Natal Arms had them in full charge towards the enemy!
Supposed "vintage" flag produced by 'Sporti'- 880mm wide x 1.7 metres long
Governor of Natal Province
Note there is a black circle around the badge in the centre on this occasion. Otherwise the Governor of Natal's flag followed the usual pattern used in the British Colonies, and placed the badge within laurel Garland on the Union Flag. Martin Grieve
Union flag with complex Victorian badge: 'Within a Chippendale-type frame, on a plain, two Wildebeest (gnus) in full course at random with the words COLONY OF NATAL beneath the frame. The frame itself is ensigned with the Royal Arms, and around the circumference appears the legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIA REG. F.D.' Flag measures approx. 6' x 3' (1.8 m x 0.9m). This replica was made ca. 1995. Bill Garrison
Transvaal 1877-1881, 1902-1910
I can confirm that Fred Brownell asserts the existence of the Transvaal Blue Ensign. He does not mention a royal warrant, but he makes this comment:"Despite the fact that the Colony certainly had no shipping of its own, by 1905 its colonial flag device was even to be found included in the Imperial German Navy's Flag Book. For years after Union, the Transvaal Colony's Red Ensign was also still to be found depicted in flag books."
It is most unlikely that the State Herald (as Brownell was in 1993) would knowingly publish information on a non-existent flag. The badge, he states, came from the colonial seal. Both seal and badge are illustrated on my page these illustrations being scanned from National and Provincial Symbols.
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| Governor's flag |
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape Colony utilised a specific system of ensigns based on the armorial bearings granted to the territory by Queen Victoria to denote its administrative and maritime authority. The primary heraldic device for the colony was the coat of arms granted via Royal Warrant on May 29, 1876 featuring a red shield charged with a gold lion rampant between three gold rings, or annulets. The shield was supported on the dexter side by a wildebeest, or gnu, and on the sinister side by a gemsbok, or oryx, in natural colours. The crest consisted of the figure of Hope vested in blue, resting her right arm on a rock and supporting an anchor with her left hand. The motto Spes Bona, meaning Good Hope, appeared on a scroll beneath the shield. The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this full coat of arms as a badge on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the colonial government, particularly those of the Cape Government Railways and Harbours Administration. The Cape Colonial Blue Ensign was used until the Union of South Africa came into being on 31 May 1910 when the Cape Colony became the Cape Province. No provincial flag was used by the Cape Province, or any of the other four provinces in the period 31 May 1910 to 26 April 1994. The Cape Province was divided into the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces on 27 April 1994. Bruce Berry
The Governor of the Cape Colony, utilised the Union Flag defaced with the arms in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. The left shows an authentic example of one. Regarding the Red Ensign, the Cape Colony merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the colonial arms to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Cape Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the colony. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full coat of arms centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Cape Colony ensigns was legally terminated on May 31, 1910, when the colony became a province of the Union of South Africa. The 1876 arms were subsequently incorporated into the first quarter of the coat of arms of the Union, and the colonial flags were retired in favour of the South African Red and Blue Ensigns.
Merchant ensign of Cape Colony in the 1876-1910 pattern. The flag is made from wool bunting with a cotton hoist, machine sewn at the ends with selvedge edges. The design is entirely printed onto the fabric. A cord is attached for hoisting, with 'M.P.' written in ink and 'CAPE' stencilled on it. The design is a red ensign with the arms of the Cape of Good Hope in the fly on a white disc. A wildebeest and springbok suppost a crest depicting hope (a female figure with an anchor), gules, a lion rampant, three annulets and in chief argent with three hurts azure, charged with three fleur de lis. The crest bears the motto 'SPES BONA'. The design went out of use after the Union of South Africa came into being in 1910.It has been stated that there was no Red Ensign for the Cape Colony. I have no way of checking this, but it’s quite possible that there was no authorised Cape Colony Red Ensign. On the other hand, one certainly did exist, and was known as the Railway Ensign because it was to be seen chiefly at stations of the Cape Government Railways (CGR). The roundel in the fly contained (as in the colony’s Blue Ensign) the full heraldic achievement of the Cape Colony, but in addition (if I recall correctly – it’s been some years since I saw an example of it) it contained further scroll work. It was quite an elaborate badge.
28 inches (700mm) by 14 inches (360mm)
This flag was then used as an example for a version of the South African Red Ensign that also seems to have had a railway provenance. I believe the CGR element that was taken up into the South African Railways and Harbours (SAR&H) organisation in 1913 must have continued ordering flags exactly like the “Railway Ensign”, but now with the South African arms – and again using the full achievement, instead of the shield only, as authorised by Royal Warrant.
The SAR&H was formed out of the CGR, the Natal Government Railways, the Cape Town Harbour Board, the Port Elizabeth Harbour Board, the East London Harbour Board and the Central South African Railways. (I’m not certain off-hand whether there was a Durban Harbour Board; if there was, it also would have been incorporated.) The Central South African Railways was a British civilian administration that took over from the Imperial Military Railways, set up following the invasion of the Boer republics to run the republican railway systems.
The South African “Railway Ensign” seems to have died a natural death when the Union Flag was taken into use in 1928. Mike Oettle
The flag is fully printed on what I would describe as a very high grade broad cloth. It's actually a cross between broad cloth and canvas, and quite a sturdy flag for being roughly 100 years old.
You'll notice that the Union Jack isn't proportionally correct. The entire ensign was dye printed with the disk, and though the Union Jack is incorrect, the overall quality of the print is very good. The badge was printed or perhaps painted on later with paint that is considerably stiffer than the supple ensign.I didn't know it, but I acquired a Manitoba red ensign (bison shield on disk) sometime back that was apparently made by the same company. When I compared the two ensigns, they were virtually identical,including a duplicate 1/4 inch wide blue smudge that appears in the upper hoist white part of the Scottish saltier. Since getting both ensigns, I have seen other pictures of red ensigns for auction on e-Bay that look like they too came from the same stock. I would have bought all of them, but the bids got out of my league. Those pictured on e-Bay were all southern African including, a South African ensign with South Africa's full colonial coat of arms, (like the "Railways Ensign" mentioned above) Sierra Leone, and Natal with the simplified shield. If all of the afore mentioned ensigns are from the same manufacturer, Manitoba is the only non-African sample I have seen.
If anyone can elaborate on who may have made these ensigns up, I would love to know. Neither of mine have labels on them but it does prove that a Cape Colonial Red Ensign was made/used - even if unofficially! Clay Moss
Orange River Colony 1902 - 1910
Following the annexation of the Orange Free State by the British Empire on May 24, 1900, and the formal conclusion of the Second Boer War via the Treaty of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902, the territory was reconstituted as the Orange River Colony. The colonial administration required a new heraldic identity to replace the republican symbolism of the former state to denote its status as a British possession. On December 10, 1904, King Edward VII granted a Royal Warrant establishing a new badge for the colony. The design consisted of a Springbok in natural colours standing upon a grassy mound. This specific emblem was intended for use on the Union Flag and the ensigns of the British Empire to distinguish the territory.The primary vexillological application of this badge was on the personal standard of the Lieutenant-Governor of the Orange River Colony.  |
| Authentic Governor's Flag |
British South African Company (BSAC) 1890-1923
Outstanding examples from the Bruce Berry collection
The British South Africa Company utilised a specific vexillological symbol to denote its administrative authority over the territories of Mashonaland and Matabeleland following the granting of its Royal Charter by Queen Victoria on October 29, 1889. The primary flag employed by the company for both governmental and military purposes was the Union Flag defaced with the company badge. This badge consisted of the crest from the company's coat of arms, which the College of Arms granted on June 11, 1890. The design featured a golden lion guardant passant, supporting an ivory tusk with its right paw, to symbolise the British imperial presence and the trade in ivory. The badge was placed upon a white disc in the centre of the Union Flag and surrounded by a garland of laurel leaves. This specific flag flew over all company forts, magistrate courts, and administrative offices throughout Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia until the termination of company rule.
Despite the blue and red examples shown here, the British South Africa Company didn't possess a warrant from the British Admiralty to fly either on the high seas. Consequently, the company's river steamers operating on the Zambezi River and its vessels on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa were legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom for civil identification. The absence of a specific company ensign for merchant vessels distinguished the British South Africa Company from the Imperial British East Africa Company, which had secured such a warrant. 
The usage of the defaced Union Flag as the state symbol ceased in Southern Rhodesia on September 12, 1923, and in Northern Rhodesia on April 1, 1924, when the British government assumed direct control and the territories adopted new colonial Blue Ensigns based on their respective shields of arms.
BSAC flags showing the two variants - with the red ring and without. No definite answer as to which was "official" as the description merely said the badge is to be placed in the centre of the Union Jack, but both versions were used. - Bruce Berry
The British South Africa Company utilised a specific vexillological symbol to denote its administrative authority over the territories of Mashonaland and Matabeleland following the granting of its Royal Charter by Queen Victoria on October 29, 1889. The primary flag employed by the company for both governmental and military purposes was the Union Flag defaced with the company badge. This badge consisted of the crest from the company's coat of arms, which the College of Arms granted on June 11, 1890. The design featured a golden lion guardant passant, supporting an ivory tusk with its right paw, to symbolise the British imperial presence and the trade in ivory. The badge was placed upon a white disc in the centre of the Union Flag and surrounded by a garland of laurel leaves. This specific flag flew over all company forts, magistrate courts, and administrative offices throughout Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia until the termination of company rule. 
Despite the blue and red examples shown here, the British South Africa Company didn't possess a warrant from the British Admiralty to fly either on the high seas. Consequently, the company's river steamers operating on the Zambezi River and its vessels on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa were legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom for civil identification. The absence of a specific company ensign for merchant vessels distinguished the British South Africa Company from the Imperial British East Africa Company, which had secured such a warrant. 
The usage of the defaced Union Flag as the state symbol ceased in Southern Rhodesia on September 12, 1923, and in Northern Rhodesia on April 1, 1924, when the British government assumed direct control and the territories adopted new colonial Blue Ensigns based on their respective shields of arms. According to a letter of 11 November 1902 the defaced ensigns were authorised for boats and vessels that the company operated on the lakes and waterways of North Eastern Rhodesia; the Blue Ensign for company vessels not being trading vessels, and the Red Ensign for trading vessels. The defaced Union Jack was for the Administrator when embarked in vessels belonging to the company. David Prothero
South Africa
Upon the establishment of the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910, the primary heraldic device for the Union was the coat of arms granted by King George V via Royal Warrant on September 17, 1910. This escutcheon was quartered, displaying the figure of Hope with an anchor for the Cape of Good Hope Province in the first quarter, two wildebeest in full course for the Natal Province in the second quarter, an orange tree for the Orange Free State Province in the third quarter, and a trek wagon for the Transvaal Province in the fourth quarter. Following this grant, the British Admiralty authorised the creation of distinctive ensigns for the Union. On December 28, 1910, the Admiralty issued a warrant for the South African Red Ensign.
This flag consisted of the Red Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a red field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced with the shield of the South African coat of arms centred in the fly. To ensure the visibility of the red and green elements of the shield against the red field, the badge was placed upon a white roundel. This Red Ensign served as the civil ensign for the South African merchant marine and functioned as the unofficial national flag on land for eighteen years, as there was no other distinctive flag for the Union until 1928. 
The South African Blue Ensign was authorised simultaneously for vessels owned or operated by the Union government, specifically encompassing the fleet of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom defaced with the shield of the coat of arms centred in the fly.
Unlike the Red Ensign, the Blue Ensign did not typically utilise a white roundel, as the colours of the shield contrasted sufficiently with the blue field. The Blue Ensign version was rarely seen in South Africa as South Africa had few such government owned vessels at that time which explains the cheap knock-off shown right. There is evidence that it was used on occasion on overseas offices of the country until the new South African flag came into use in 1928. As with the red ensign, the blue ensign was changed slightly in 1912, once again by British Admiralty warrant, when the shield of the coat of arms was placed on a white roundel. The usage of these ensigns reflected the imperial hierarchy, where the Union Flag remained the official flag of the Empire while the defaced ensigns denoted local administration.
The political tension regarding the use of the Red Ensign as a national symbol led to the passing of the Union Nationality and Flags Act of 1927, which introduced the orange, white, and blue national flag on May 31, 1928. However, the South African Red Ensign retained its legal status as the maritime flag for merchant shipping for another two decades. It was only with the enactment of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1951, which came into effect on November 1, 1951, that the South African Red Ensign was formally abolished and replaced by the national flag as the proper colours for South African ships. Regarding the aerial domain, the South African Air Force adopted a distinctive ensign on May 21, 1940. This flag featured a field of air force blue with the national flag of 1928 in the upper canton and the roundel of the South African Air Force, consisting of an orange springbok on a white disc within a blue circle, centred in the fly. This design broke with the strict British pattern by utilizing the South African flag rather than the Union Flag in the canton.
The Point Yacht Club didn't receive a royal warrant and consequently wasn't entitled to fly the defaced Blue Ensign. Under Admiralty regulations governing yacht club ensign privileges, clubs without a royal warrant or an Admiralty warrant were restricted to the use of the undefaced Red Ensign, the standard British merchant ensign, flown from the stern of members' vessels. The club's identifying symbol was therefore its burgee, a triangular pennant bearing the club's colours and device, flown from the masthead of members' vessels to indicate club affiliation. The burgee served as the primary distinguishing flag for the club's members on the water, as the undefaced Red Ensign flown at the stern was identical to that used by all merchant vessels and by members of other non-warranted yacht clubs.The club did however fly its own club flag, distinct from both the burgee and the ensign, at its premises on the Point waterfront. This club flag bore the club's badge and colours and was displayed from the club's flagstaff and at regattas and sailing events organised by the club. The distinction between the club flag flown ashore and the burgee flown afloat was maintained under the protocols of yacht club flag etiquette observed throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth. The club has kept its flag traditions and racing programme through the successive constitutional changes that altered the broader flag arrangements of South Africa.
Royal Cape Yacht Club
The Royal Cape Yacht Club, situated in Table Bay, Cape Town, received
its royal designation by warrant authorising the use of the prefix
"Royal" and conferring the privilege of flying the Blue Ensign defaced
with the club's badge in the fly. The club was founded in 1904 and
received its royal warrant under the Admiralty regulations governing
Blue Ensign privileges for recognised yacht clubs throughout the British
Empire. 
The defaced Blue Ensign bore a badge in the fly consisting of a
crown surmounting the club's initials RCYC, rendered within a circular
device incorporating maritime imagery associated with Table Bay and the
Cape peninsula. The ensign was flown from the stern of members' vessels
operating in the waters of Table Bay, False Bay, and the coastal waters
of the Cape, and from the club's flagstaff at its premises. The club's
burgee, a separate triangular pennant bearing the club's colours, was
flown from the masthead of members' vessels to identify club
affiliation, distinct from the ensign at the stern. The club's ensign
privileges survived the transition from the Cape Colony to the Union of
South Africa on May 31, 1910, and the subsequent transition to
republican status on May 31, 1961. The right to fly the defaced Blue
Ensign was retained throughout these constitutional changes under the
terms of the original Admiralty warrant.
Rhodesia
The Flag of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) changed many times as a result of political changes in the country. Prior to 1953, the then Southern Rhodesia followed British colonial practice, by using a Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the shield from the colony's coat of arms in the fly.
In 1953, Southern Rhodesia federated with Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The flag of that federation was used until 31 December 1963 when the federation was dissolved. Less than a year after the break-up of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland became independent as Zambia and Malawi. Southern Rhodesia became known simply as Rhodesia. In April 1964 Rhodesia adopted a light air force ensign with the shield from the coat of arms of Rhodesia in the fly. This was the first time the lighter shade of blue ensign was used by a British colony, although Fiji and Tuvalu both adopted the colour after independence.
Following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11, 1965, the flag was retained, but three years later on the anniversary of UDI it was replaced by a green and white flag (similar to that of Nigeria) with the full coat of arms in the centre. On March 2, 1970, the country was declared a republic. Throughout this time, Britain refused to recognise Rhodesia's independence and maintained that the light-blue ensign was the official flag of the country.
In 1979, the country became known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and a new flag was adopted on September 2 that year featuring the pan-African colours of red, black, yellow and green, and the Zimbabwe Bird. However, under the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, the country briefly returned to British rule under the Union Jack from December 12, 1979 although the new flag remained de facto in use. Thus it was the British Union Flag that was lowered during the ceremony on April 18, 1980 marking the country's attainment of independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Southern Rhodesia 1923 - 1953
Southern Rhodesia flew the standard British Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly from October 1, 1923, when the territory became a self-governing Crown colony. The badge depicted a circular device containing the colony's shield of arms, which bore the Pick and Assegai device on a green field, a gold mining pick crossed with a Ndebele assegai. The shield was rendered on a white disc with the inscription "Southern Rhodesia" around the circumference. This badge was displayed on the Blue Ensign for official governmental purposes, flown at the government buildings in Salisbury and at district offices across the colony. The
Red Ensign bearing the same badge on a white disc was used in civilian
contexts. The Governor's flag consisted of the Union Jack bearing the
Pick and Assegai badge on a white disc surrounded by a laurel garland in
the centre.
Southern Rhodesia was unique amongst British colonies in
possessing a separate distinctive national flag in addition to the
standard Blue Ensign. This flag, adopted in 1923, consisted of a dark
blue field bearing the colony's full coat of arms in the centre. The
arms depicted the Pick and Assegai shield surmounted by the British lion
holding an ivory tusk between its forepaws, with the motto scroll
beneath. This dark blue flag served as the colony's national flag for
domestic purposes, flown alongside the Union Jack at government
buildings, whilst the Blue Ensign bearing the badge served the standard
governmental and maritime functions prescribed by colonial flag
regulations. The dual flag arrangement, with the dark blue national flag
serving domestically and the Blue Ensign serving in the standard
colonial capacity, reflected Southern Rhodesia's unusual constitutional
position as a self-governing colony with a degree of autonomy
substantially greater than that enjoyed by other British African
territories. The colony possessed its own parliament, its own prime
minister, and control over its own defence forces, distinctions that
justified the adoption of a separate national flag in addition to the
regulation colonial ensign. Both the Blue Ensign and the dark blue
national flag served until the colony's incorporation into the
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on September 3, 1953.
Southern Rhodesia reverted to its colonial status following the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on December 31, 1963. The colony resumed the use of its Blue Ensign bearing the Pick and Assegai badge in the fly and the dark blue national flag bearing the full coat of arms. The Blue Ensign and the dark blue national flag served from January 1, 1964, until the Unilateral Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1965, when the government of Prime Minister Ian Smith declared independence from Britain. Following UDI, the Smith government initially retained the dark blue flag bearing the colony's arms as the national flag but ceased to fly the Blue Ensign, as the ensign represented the British Crown authority that the declaration had repudiated.
Britain regarded UDI as illegal and continued to recognise Southern Rhodesia as a British colony, maintaining that the Blue Ensign bearing the colonial badge remained the territory's legitimate flag. On April 8, 1964, the Legislative Assembly passed the Flag of Southern Rhodesia Act, which authorised the use of a light blue ensign defaced with the colonial shield of arms. This flag consisted of a field of sky blue, rather than the standard British dark blue, with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff. The fly was defaced with the shield of arms granted by King George V on August 11, 1924, featuring a red lion passant between two thistles on a white chief, and a golden pickaxe on a green field. This specific shade of blue was chosen to represent the clear skies of the territory and to distinguish the flag from the dark blue ensigns used by other British colonies. This
was the first time the lighter shade of blue ensign was used by a
British colony, although Fiji and Tuvalu both adopted the colour after
independence.
The Smith government adopted a new flag on November 11, 1968, consisting of three vertical stripes of green, white, and green, with the full coat of arms of Rhodesia displayed in the centre of the white stripe. This flag replaced the dark blue colonial flag and served the unrecognised state of Rhodesia from 1968 until 1979. Following the Lancaster House Agreement of December 21, 1979, which ended the Rhodesian Bush War and established the terms for a transition to internationally recognised independence under majority rule, the territory briefly reverted to colonial status as Southern Rhodesia under a British Governor, Lord Soames, who arrived in Salisbury on December 12, 1979. The Blue Ensign bearing the Pick and Assegai badge was restored as the official flag of the territory during this transitional period, and the Union Jack flew at Government House as the symbol of restored British authority. The Rhodesian green, white, and green flag was lowered and the colonial Blue Ensign raised for the final time. This brief reversion lasted until April 18, 1980, when the territory achieved internationally recognised independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe under Prime Minister Robert Mugabe. The Blue Ensign was lowered for the last time and replaced by the new Zimbabwean national flag.
The Royal Rhodesian Air Force
Nyasaland (Malawi)
The Nyasaland Protectorate utilised a distinct sequence of vexillological symbols to denote its administrative status within the British Empire from its establishment as the British Central Africa Protectorate until its independence. The initial badge, authorised by the British Admiralty in 1894, consisted of a coffee tree in full bearing to represent the primary agricultural export of the Shire Highlands. This badge was applied to the Blue Ensign for government vessels and to the Union Flag, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, for the Commissioner. Following the renaming of the territory to the Nyasaland Protectorate on July 6, 1907, the administration adopted a new heraldic badge to distinguish the protectorate. This badge depicted a leopard standing on a rock against a setting sun, symbolising the African fauna and the dawn of a new era. The British Admiralty officially approved this design for use on the Blue Ensign on May 11, 1914. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the leopard badge.
The Governor of Nyasaland utilised the Union Flag defaced with the same leopard badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. regarding the Red Ensign, the protectorate did not receive a specific Admiralty warrant authorising a Red Ensign defaced with the leopard badge for civilian merchant vessels. Consequently, commercial shipping registered in the protectorate, primarily operating on Lake Nyasa, was legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom. The usage of the leopard badge on the Blue Ensign and the Union Flag continued until the territory achieved independence as Malawi on July 6, 1964. Following this transition, the leopard symbolism was retained in the crest of the new national coat of arms, but the British ensigns were retired in favour of the black, red, and green flag with the rising sun.
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| 91 inches x 44 inches |
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| 36 inches by 17 inches |
The Red Ensign was, at times, also used as the national flag ashore, although it was the Union Jack that officially enjoyed this status....The Red Ensign's most prominent moment was probably when General Louis Botha, former Commandant-General of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek forces, later Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa and Commander-in-Chief of the Union forces, hoisted it over Windhoek (in the then German South West Africa), after capturing that town from the Germans in 1915.
"Sovereign flags of Southern Africa", A. P. Burgers, 1997
The South African Blue Ensign was authorised simultaneously for vessels owned or operated by the Union government, specifically encompassing the fleet of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom defaced with the shield of the coat of arms centred in the fly. Unlike the Red Ensign, the Blue Ensign did not typically utilise a white roundel, as the colours of the shield contrasted sufficiently with the blue field. The Blue Ensign version was rarely seen in South Africa as South Africa had few such government owned vessels at that time which explains the cheap knock-off shown right. There is evidence that it was used on occasion on overseas offices of the country until the new South African flag came into use in 1928. As with the red ensign, the blue ensign was changed slightly in 1912, once again by British Admiralty warrant, when the shield of the coat of arms was placed on a white roundel. The usage of these ensigns reflected the imperial hierarchy, where the Union Flag remained the official flag of the Empire while the defaced ensigns denoted local administration.
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| Governor General standard |
From the Bruce Berry collection
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Two more examples
5 feet by 3 feet
In 2007 I cycled through the Ypres Salient and Somme battlefields and came across this red ensign made by a Mr. Byrne for the South African Museum at Delville.
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South African Yacht Club Ensigns
Royal Natal Yacht Club
The Royal Natal Yacht Club, situated in Durban on the coast of the Colony of Natal, is one of the oldest yacht clubs in southern Africa. The club was founded in 1858, two years after Natal's establishment as a separate Crown colony on May 31, 1856. The club received its royal designation by warrant, authorising the use of the prefix "Royal" and conferring the privilege of flying the Blue Ensign defaced with the club's badge in the fly. The warrant was granted under the Admiralty regulations governing the use of the Blue Ensign by recognised yacht clubs throughout the British Empire.The Royal Natal Yacht Club's defaced Blue Ensign bore a badge in the fly consisting of a crown surmounting the club's initials RNYC, rendered within a circular device. The badge followed the conventional format employed by royal yacht clubs across the Empire, combining the crown signifying the royal warrant with the club's identifying initials.
The ensign was flown from the stern of members' vessels operating in the waters of Durban harbour, the Durban roadstead, and the coastal waters off Natal, and from the club's flagstaff at its waterfront premises in Durban. The club's burgee, a separate triangular pennant bearing the club's colours, was flown from the masthead of members' vessels to identify their club affiliation, distinct from the ensign flown at the stern. The club's ensign privileges survived the transition from the Colony of Natal to the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910, and the subsequent constitutional changes that transformed the country into a republic on May 31, 1961. The club retained its royal designation and its right to fly the defaced Blue Ensign throughout these transitions, maintaining its institutional connection to the Admiralty warrant system that had governed yacht club flag privileges across the British Empire.
Point Yacht Club
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John Vaughan sent me this photo of an interesting flag ... that of the South African Soldiers Association in Australia. This flag is on display near the National Boer War Memorial on ANZAC Parade in Canberra. Bruce BerryThe flag of the South African Soldiers Association of Australia consists of a Union Flag defaced in the centre with the specific badge of the veteran organisation. This banner served as the ceremonial standard for Australian volunteers who served in the Second Boer War between October 11, 1899, and May 31, 1902. In the centre of the St George's Cross, a shield is superimposed. This shield is surmounted by a Royal Crown. The shield itself is charged with the capital letters S.A.S.A., which function as the acronym for the South African Soldiers Association. This specific vexillological arrangement distinguished the Australian veterans of the South African campaign from other ex-service organisations during Anzac Day parades and commemorative services. The flag represents the lineage of the colonial forces from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania who fought in the conflict, rather than the armed forces of the Union of South Africa. The National Boer War Memorial, dedicated on May 31, 2017, preserves this symbol to honour the 23,000 Australian men who served in the war.
South African Yacht Club Ensigns
Royal Natal Yacht Club
The Royal Natal Yacht Club, situated in Durban on the coast of the Colony of Natal, is one of the oldest yacht clubs in southern Africa. The club was founded in 1858, two years after Natal's establishment as a separate Crown colony on May 31, 1856. The club received its royal designation by warrant, authorising the use of the prefix "Royal" and conferring the privilege of flying the Blue Ensign defaced with the club's badge in the fly. The warrant was granted under the Admiralty regulations governing the use of the Blue Ensign by recognised yacht clubs throughout the British Empire.The Royal Natal Yacht Club's defaced Blue Ensign bore a badge in the fly consisting of a crown surmounting the club's initials RNYC, rendered within a circular device. The badge followed the conventional format employed by royal yacht clubs across the Empire, combining the crown signifying the royal warrant with the club's identifying initials.
The ensign was flown from the stern of members' vessels operating in the waters of Durban harbour, the Durban roadstead, and the coastal waters off Natal, and from the club's flagstaff at its waterfront premises in Durban. The club's burgee, a separate triangular pennant bearing the club's colours, was flown from the masthead of members' vessels to identify their club affiliation, distinct from the ensign flown at the stern. The club's ensign privileges survived the transition from the Colony of Natal to the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910, and the subsequent constitutional changes that transformed the country into a republic on May 31, 1961. The club retained its royal designation and its right to fly the defaced Blue Ensign throughout these transitions, maintaining its institutional connection to the Admiralty warrant system that had governed yacht club flag privileges across the British Empire. The Point Yacht Club didn't receive a royal warrant and consequently wasn't entitled to fly the defaced Blue Ensign. Under Admiralty regulations governing yacht club ensign privileges, clubs without a royal warrant or an Admiralty warrant were restricted to the use of the undefaced Red Ensign, the standard British merchant ensign, flown from the stern of members' vessels. The club's identifying symbol was therefore its burgee, a triangular pennant bearing the club's colours and device, flown from the masthead of members' vessels to indicate club affiliation. The burgee served as the primary distinguishing flag for the club's members on the water, as the undefaced Red Ensign flown at the stern was identical to that used by all merchant vessels and by members of other non-warranted yacht clubs.The club did however fly its own club flag, distinct from both the burgee and the ensign, at its premises on the Point waterfront. This club flag bore the club's badge and colours and was displayed from the club's flagstaff and at regattas and sailing events organised by the club. The distinction between the club flag flown ashore and the burgee flown afloat was maintained under the protocols of yacht club flag etiquette observed throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth. The club has kept its flag traditions and racing programme through the successive constitutional changes that altered the broader flag arrangements of South Africa. Royal Cape Yacht Club
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| images by Clay Moss |
The defaced Blue Ensign bore a badge in the fly consisting of a
crown surmounting the club's initials RCYC, rendered within a circular
device incorporating maritime imagery associated with Table Bay and the
Cape peninsula. The ensign was flown from the stern of members' vessels
operating in the waters of Table Bay, False Bay, and the coastal waters
of the Cape, and from the club's flagstaff at its premises. The club's
burgee, a separate triangular pennant bearing the club's colours, was
flown from the masthead of members' vessels to identify club
affiliation, distinct from the ensign at the stern. The club's ensign
privileges survived the transition from the Cape Colony to the Union of
South Africa on May 31, 1910, and the subsequent transition to
republican status on May 31, 1961. The right to fly the defaced Blue
Ensign was retained throughout these constitutional changes under the
terms of the original Admiralty warrant.Rhodesia
The Flag of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) changed many times as a result of political changes in the country. Prior to 1953, the then Southern Rhodesia followed British colonial practice, by using a Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the shield from the colony's coat of arms in the fly.
In 1953, Southern Rhodesia federated with Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The flag of that federation was used until 31 December 1963 when the federation was dissolved. Less than a year after the break-up of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland became independent as Zambia and Malawi. Southern Rhodesia became known simply as Rhodesia. In April 1964 Rhodesia adopted a light air force ensign with the shield from the coat of arms of Rhodesia in the fly. This was the first time the lighter shade of blue ensign was used by a British colony, although Fiji and Tuvalu both adopted the colour after independence.Following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11, 1965, the flag was retained, but three years later on the anniversary of UDI it was replaced by a green and white flag (similar to that of Nigeria) with the full coat of arms in the centre. On March 2, 1970, the country was declared a republic. Throughout this time, Britain refused to recognise Rhodesia's independence and maintained that the light-blue ensign was the official flag of the country.
In 1979, the country became known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and a new flag was adopted on September 2 that year featuring the pan-African colours of red, black, yellow and green, and the Zimbabwe Bird. However, under the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, the country briefly returned to British rule under the Union Jack from December 12, 1979 although the new flag remained de facto in use. Thus it was the British Union Flag that was lowered during the ceremony on April 18, 1980 marking the country's attainment of independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Southern Rhodesia 1923 - 1953
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| http://www.rhodesia.org/gallery/emblems1/images/srflag.jpg |
The colony of Southern Rhodesia utilised a specific system of ensigns authorised by the British Admiralty following the termination of company rule and the establishment of responsible government on October 1, 1923. The primary heraldic device for the colony was the shield of arms granted by King George V via Royal Warrant on August 11, 1924. This shield featured a green field charged with a golden pickaxe, representing the mining industry, in the base. The chief of the shield was argent, displaying a red lion passant between two thistles proper, symbolising the connection to the United Kingdom and Cecil Rhodes. The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this shield on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the colonial government. The blue ensign was defaced in the centre of the fly with the 1924 shield. The Governor of Southern Rhodesia utilised the Union Flag defaced with the shield in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. 
In regards to the Red Ensign, the merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the colonial shield to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Southern Rhodesia Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the colony. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full shield centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Southern Rhodesia ensigns was suspended on September 7, 1953, when the colony joined the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The colonial flags were subsequently replaced by the ensigns of the Federation until its dissolution on December 31, 1963. 
In regards to the Red Ensign, the merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the colonial shield to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Southern Rhodesia Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the colony. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full shield centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Southern Rhodesia ensigns was suspended on September 7, 1953, when the colony joined the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The colonial flags were subsequently replaced by the ensigns of the Federation until its dissolution on December 31, 1963. 
There was confusion surrounding the flag of Southern Rhodesia after the adoption of Responsible Government in 1923. When the organiser of the British Empire exhibition wrote to the Rhodesian High Commission in London in May 1925, on the question of the flag for the colony, this caused some consternation. The High Commission did not know what flag to use; on the advice of the Colonial Office, it recommended that the Blue Ensign with arms (or flag badge) in the fly be used, adding that the Governor had indicated that the government had approved the shield only as the flag badge. In March 1928 the Rhodesian High Commission wrote to the Colonial Office in Salisbury asking what the flag of the colony was, adding that they used the "Blue and Red ensigns with the Arms of the Colony in a circle" at the HC in London and at some exhibitions. The reply a month later stated that the Union Jack was the flag of Southern Rhodesia and that the use of the flag badge on the Union Jack or of both the Red and Blue Ensigns "would not be in order for the purpose mentioned in your letter". Between 1933 and 1934 correspondence between London and Salisbury described the colony's flag as being the Union Jack with the colony's badge in the centre of the fly, while another letter noted that no official authority had been given for the use of such a flag, normally reserved for use at sea. In brief, there was no official flag for Southern Rhodesian during this period.The impending coronation of King George VI in 1937 brought matters to a head as the Rhodesian prime minister wanted a flag to represent the colony at the coronation. Through correspondence with the High Commission and the Dominions Office, it emerged that the most appropriate flag would be a Blue Ensign with the badge of Southern Rhodesia emblazoned in the fly, although the High Commissioner was of the opinion that the Union Jack remained the official flag of the colony and that the new flag had been adopted only for use outside the colony only. Thus the flag for Southern Rhodesia was finally established as being a Blue Ensign with the colonial shield in the fly. The Union Jack nevertheless continued to be flown INSIDE the colony, alongside subsequent Rhodesian flags, until 11 November 1968. Not only the basic form of the colonial flag, but its exact details were confused in the era of its use. The Admiralty amended the 1915 edition of its Flags of All Nations by issuing, as part of Errata 8, a coloured sheet dated May 1926 which showed the flag badge as having the full achievement of the Southern Rhodesia arms.
26x54 inches. In April 1927 a correction was made, clearly establishing that the shield only was the appropriate flag badge. In both sheets the text indicated that this emblem appeared on a white disc when on the Union Jack, but WITHOUT a disk on the Blue Ensign. Nevertheless a Rhodesian Government publication illustrated the ensign with a disc behind the shield. Various sources refer to a Southern Rhodesian Red Ensign bearing the shield (without disc), although Southern Rhodesia's lack of a coastline suggests that such a flag would have been unnecessary even if - as appears not to have been the case - it had official sanction. Red Ensigns were displayed during the 1947 Royal Visit and the local Salisbury newspaper commented, "This is a variety which we have not met previously and which appear to owe its origin neither to official sanction nor custom, but to an enterprising manufacturer's idea of what our flag should be". The issue of a flag for Southern Rhodesia was resolved once the territory became part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and a new flag adopted on 7 September 1953.
Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) 1939 - 1953
The protectorate of Northern Rhodesia utilised a distinct system of ensigns authorised by the British Admiralty following the termination of British South Africa Company rule and the assumption of direct Colonial Office administration on April 1, 1924. The primary heraldic device for the territory was the shield of arms granted by King George V via Royal Warrant on August 16, 1939. The
badge adopted in 1939 replaced the earlier badge that had served the
protectorate since the termination of British South Africa Company rule
on April 1, 1924. The 1939 badge depicted a circular device containing a
shield bearing six vertical wavy white and blue lines representing the
Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, surmounted by an eagle in flight
clutching a fish in its talons. The fish eagle was a species native to
the Zambezi valley and the shores of the territory's major lakes and
rivers, and its depiction on the badge referenced the protectorate's
geographical identity centred on the Zambezi river system. The eagle reguardant symbolised the freedom of the territory. The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this shield on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the colonial government, particularly on Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign with the 1939 shield. 
The design signifies a fish eagle of the Zambezi and most other rivers of Northern Rhodesia and water rushing over the rock of the Victoria Falls. The heraldic description is: Sable six palets wavy Argent on a Chief Azure an eagle reguardant wings expanded Or holding in the talons a Fish of the second. The Government of the Colony accepted that this design be used as a shield on the Public Seal of the Territory in 1927. It received the approval of the King in 1930 and was formally granted to Northern Rhodesia by Royal Warrant on 16 August 1939. As far as I my memory serves me the Northern Rhodesia flag was a Fish Eagle (Nkwazi) with a fish in its claws depicted flying over the Victoria Falls. When independence came I believe it was decided to take away the fish as it was felt that it portrayed the grasp of colonialism on the masses. Steve Stephenson
The comment on the fish held in the claws of the fish eagle in the arms of Northern Rhodesia seems to me to be an inspired example of radical political hogwash. That's a reflection on the African nationalist politicians who produced the garbage, not on the vexillologist who quoted it! I recall hearing at the time that people were complaining about the "dead fish". What both comments betray is an abysmal ignorance regarding the symbolism involved. The African fish eagle is very similar to the American bald eagle - not only do they belong to the same genus, but they are almost identically colored. The only significant difference between them, and one which is easily portrayed in heraldic art, is the fish eagle's habit of catching fish. The allegedly dead fish is in fact freshly caught - so freshly caught that carefully observation of any video portraying this act of predation will reveal that the fish is wriggling as it is carried away. The net result of Zambia's removal of the fish when it converted the eagle in the chief (of the protectorate's arms) to a crest (in the arms of the republic) is that there is no longer any distinguishing mark to identify this bird as an African fish eagle, and it might as well be a symbol of the USA. So much for African independence! Mike Oettle
Red ensign from the Bruce Berry collection
33.5 x 74"
The Governor of Northern Rhodesia utilised the Union Flag defaced with the shield in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. Regarding the Red Ensign, the merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the colonial shield to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Northern Rhodesia Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the territory. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full shield centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Northern Rhodesia ensigns was suspended on September 7, 1953, when the protectorate joined the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The colonial flags were subsequently replaced by the ensigns of the Federation until its dissolution on December 31, 1963.
Northern Rhodesia was administered by the British South Africa Company before becoming a British Protectorate in 1924. The flag of the Governor of Northern Rhodesia was a British Union Flag charged in the centre, on a white roundel, with the Arms granted to the Protectorate on 16 August 1939, namely "Sable, six palets wavy Argent, on a Chief Azure an Eagle reguardant wings expanded Or holding in its talons a Fish of the Second". In common with other flags used by British Colonial Governors, the Arms were within a green garland of laurel. This flag continued to be used by the Governor of Northern Rhodesia when the Protectorate became one of the constituent territories of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953 and 1963, and ceased to be used once Northern Rhodesia gained independence on 24 October 1964 as the Republic of Zambia. Bruce Berry
Northern Rhodesia (1953 - 1963) Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, established on September 7, 1953, utilised a distinctive system of ensigns authorised by the British Admiralty to denote its federal authority over the territories of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland. The primary heraldic device for the Federation was the coat of arms granted by Queen Elizabeth II via Royal Warrant on August 25, 1954. This heraldic achievement featured a shield divided horizontally, with a rising sun on a blue field in the chief for Nyasaland, a red lion passant on a white field in the centre for Southern Rhodesia, and six black wavy paly argent lines on a black field in the base for Northern Rhodesia.
The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this full coat of arms as a badge on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the federal government, particularly those on Lake Kariba and Lake Nyasa. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the 1954 coat of arms. The Governor-General of the Federation utilised the Union Flag defaced with the arms in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. Regarding the Red Ensign, the Federation merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the federal arms to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Federal Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the Federation. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full coat of arms centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Federal ensigns was legally terminated on December 31, 1963, when the Federation was dissolved. The constituent territories subsequently reverted to their individual colonial flags or adopted new national symbols.
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| 94cm x 44cm |
Per fesse Azure and Sable in Chief a Sun rising Or and in base six Palets wavy Argent over all a fesse dovetailed counter-dovetailed of the last thereon a Lion passant Gules.
The British Admiralty authorised the usage of this full coat of arms as a badge on the Blue Ensign for vessels owned or operated by the federal government, particularly those on Lake Kariba and Lake Nyasa. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the 1954 coat of arms. The Governor-General of the Federation utilised the Union Flag defaced with the arms in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. Regarding the Red Ensign, the Federation merchant marine utilised a Red Ensign defaced with the federal arms to distinguish local vessels from British registry. Although the Admiralty policy on defaced Red Ensigns was restrictive, the Federal Red Ensign served as the de facto civil flag of the Federation. This flag featured the red field with the Union Flag in the canton and the full coat of arms centred in the fly. The usage of the distinct Federal ensigns was legally terminated on December 31, 1963, when the Federation was dissolved. The constituent territories subsequently reverted to their individual colonial flags or adopted new national symbols.
The Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was a modified British Blue Ensign. Centred in the fly of the flag was a depiction of the shield from the Federation's Coat of Arms. The rising sun is taken from the Arms of Nyasaland (now Malawi), the lion rampant is taken from the Arms of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and the black and white wavy lines is taken from the Arms of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). In this form, it accurately shows the Federation of all three British Colonies which lasted from 1953 to December 31, 1963. This flag flew alongside the Union Jack for the duration of the existence of the Federation.
Northern Rhodesia joined with neighbouring Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in September 1953. The Federation flew a blue ensign with the shield from the Federal Arms in the fly. Elements from the shield of the arms of each of the constituent territories formed the Federal shield, with the palets wavy being from the Northern Rhodesia arms. The Federation was dissolved on 31 December 1963, with each of the constituent territories becoming separate political entities. Northern Rhodesia subsequently attained independence as the Republic of Zambia in October 1964. Bruce Berry
Southern Rhodesia (1923- 1953)
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With white disc, from the Bruce Berry collection |
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| The merchant ensign |
When the organiser of the British Empire exhibition wrote to the Rhodesian High Commission in London in May 1925, on the question of the flag for the colony, this caused some consternation. The High Commission did not know what flag to use; on the advice of the Colonial Office, it recommended that the Blue Ensign with arms (or flag badge) in the fly be used, adding that the Governor had indicated that the government had approved the shield only as the flag badge. In March 1928 the Rhodesian High Commission wrote to the Colonial Office in Salisbury asking what the flag of the colony was, adding that they used the "Blue and Red ensigns with the Arms of the Colony in a circle" at the HC in London and at some exhibitions. The reply a month later stated that the Union Jack was the flag of Southern Rhodesia and that the use of the flag badge on the Union Jack or of both the Red and Blue Ensigns "would not be in order for the purpose mentioned in your letter". Between 1933 and 1934 correspondence between London and Salisbury described the colony's flag as being the Union Jack with the colony's badge in the centre of the fly, while another letter noted that no official authority had been given for the use of such a flag, normally reserved for use at sea. In brief, there was no official flag for Southern Rhodesian during this period.The impending coronation of King George VI in 1937 brought matters to a head as the Rhodesian prime minister wanted a flag to represent the colony at the coronation. Through correspondence with the High Commission and the Dominions Office, it emerged that the most appropriate flag would be a Blue Ensign with the badge of Southern Rhodesia emblazoned in the fly, although the High Commissioner was of the opinion that the Union Jack remained the official flag of the colony and that the new flag had been adopted only for use outside the colony only. Thus the flag for Southern Rhodesia was finally established as being a Blue Ensign with the colonial shield in the fly. The Union Jack nevertheless continued to be flown INSIDE the colony, alongside subsequent Rhodesian flags, until 11 November 1968.
Not only the basic form of the colonial flag, but its exact details were confused in the era of its use. The Admiralty amended the 1915 edition of its Flags of All Nations by issuing, as part of Errata 8, a coloured sheet dated May 1926 which showed the flag badge as having the full achievement of the Southern Rhodesia arms. In April 1927 a correction was made, clearly establishing that the shield only was the appropriate flag badge. In both sheets the text indicated that this emblem appeared on a white disc when on the Union Jack, but WITHOUT a disk on the Blue Ensign.Nevertheless a Rhodesian Government publication illustrated the ensign with a disc behind the shield.
Various sources refer to a Southern Rhodesian Red Ensign bearing the shield (without disc), although Southern Rhodesia's lack of a coastline suggests that such a flag would have been unnecessary even if - as appears not to have been the case - it had official sanction. Red Ensigns were displayed during the 1947 Royal Visit and the local Salisbury newspaper commented, "This is a variety which we have not met previously and which appear to owe its origin neither to official sanction nor custom, but to an enterprising manufacturer's idea of what our flag should be".
The issue of a flag for Southern Rhodesia was resolved once the territory became part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and a new flag adopted on 7 September 1953.
So in short - dark blue Southern Rhodesia Ensigns are known to have had the colony's shield both on a white disc and without the disc as illustrated above. Official proportions would have followed the British pattern of 1:2. Bruce Berry
Southern Rhodesia (1964 - 1968, 1979-1980)
Southern Rhodesia reverted to its colonial status following the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on December 31, 1963. The colony resumed the use of its Blue Ensign bearing the Pick and Assegai badge in the fly and the dark blue national flag bearing the full coat of arms. The Blue Ensign and the dark blue national flag served from January 1, 1964, until the Unilateral Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1965, when the government of Prime Minister Ian Smith declared independence from Britain. Following UDI, the Smith government initially retained the dark blue flag bearing the colony's arms as the national flag but ceased to fly the Blue Ensign, as the ensign represented the British Crown authority that the declaration had repudiated.  |
| Hanging in my school hallway with Chinese Communist flag from other school in background |
After the breakup of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (when Southern Rhodesia joined the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953 - 1963) Northern Rhodesia became the independent republic of Zambia and Nyasaland became Malawi under African leadership during 1964. Rhodesia (having dropped the "Southern") wanted independence on the same lines but the British Government refused on the basis that not enough was being done regarding the political advancement of the African population. After the demise of the Federation, the question of a distinctive flag for (Southern) Rhodesia again arose and in April 1964 the then Prime Minister,
Mr Winston Field, stated in parliament that the new flag of the colony would be "an Ensign with a sky blue background (the same colour as appears on the Air Force flag) with the Union Jack in the top left-hand corner and the Southern Rhodesia badge in the fly".
The main motivation for adopting the light blue background, as opposed to the traditional dark blue, was that it was felt that a clear break had to be made from the situation before and during the Federal period, which most white Rhodesians felt very emotional about, particularly their perceived poor treatment by the British government during the dissolution of the Federation. Unlike previous Southern Rhodesia dark blue and red ensigns used between 1923 and 1953, this version always had the shield placed directly in the fly without a disc. Bruce Berry
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| Governor's flag from the Bruce Berry collection |
From my personal collection:
Measuring 1 metre by 2. William Smith seemed to have had a tough time with the Union flags as they tend to have overlarge St. Patrick cross and fimbriation of the St. George's cross...
Measuring 1 metre by 2. William Smith seemed to have had a tough time with the Union flags as they tend to have overlarge St. Patrick cross and fimbriation of the St. George's cross...
The Royal Rhodesian Air Force
Following the granting of the title Royal to the Southern Rhodesian Air Force on October 15, 1954, the force adopted an ensign based on the Royal Air Force pattern. This flag consisted of a field of Air Force Blue, a light blue shade, with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff. The fly of the ensign was defaced with the roundel of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force. This roundel featured three Asante spears in saltire, superimposed on a green shield charged with a golden pickaxe, representing the mining industry, and a red lion passant on a white chief, symbolising the imperial connection. The roundel was surrounded by a dark blue circle. The usage of this ensign continued after the dissolution of the Federation on December 31, 1963, as the force reverted to Southern Rhodesian control. However, following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1965, the Royal Rhodesian Air Force adopted a new roundel on March 2, 1970, featuring a green and white lion and tusk design to reflect the republican status. The British-style ensign was officially retired on April 18, 1980, when the force became the Air Force of Zimbabwe and adopted a new flag based on the national colours.
Nyasaland (Malawi)
The Nyasaland Protectorate utilised a distinct sequence of vexillological symbols to denote its administrative status within the British Empire from its establishment as the British Central Africa Protectorate until its independence. The initial badge, authorised by the British Admiralty in 1894, consisted of a coffee tree in full bearing to represent the primary agricultural export of the Shire Highlands. This badge was applied to the Blue Ensign for government vessels and to the Union Flag, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, for the Commissioner. Following the renaming of the territory to the Nyasaland Protectorate on July 6, 1907, the administration adopted a new heraldic badge to distinguish the protectorate. This badge depicted a leopard standing on a rock against a setting sun, symbolising the African fauna and the dawn of a new era. The British Admiralty officially approved this design for use on the Blue Ensign on May 11, 1914. This flag consisted of the Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom, possessing a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper canton next to the staff, defaced in the centre of the fly with the leopard badge. 
The Governor of Nyasaland utilised the Union Flag defaced with the same leopard badge in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, as a personal standard. regarding the Red Ensign, the protectorate did not receive a specific Admiralty warrant authorising a Red Ensign defaced with the leopard badge for civilian merchant vessels. Consequently, commercial shipping registered in the protectorate, primarily operating on Lake Nyasa, was legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom. The usage of the leopard badge on the Blue Ensign and the Union Flag continued until the territory achieved independence as Malawi on July 6, 1964. Following this transition, the leopard symbolism was retained in the crest of the new national coat of arms, but the British ensigns were retired in favour of the black, red, and green flag with the rising sun. St. Helena
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Typically sloppily-constructed flag with shield sewn on backwards; personal collection
Bechuanaland
Supposed ensign; according to Bruce Berry, "[n]o distinctive colonial flag was devised for the Bechuanaland Protectorate and only the British Union Jack was flown." Indeed, from the establishment of the protectorate on March 31, 1885, until 1960, the administration utilised the undefaced Union Flag of the United Kingdom for all official governmental purposes. The High Commissioner for Southern Africa, who exercised authority over Basutoland, Bechuanaland, and Swaziland, utilised a specific standard consisting of the Union Flag defaced with the letters S.A.H.C. surmounted by a Tudor Crown on a white disc surrounded by a green garland, but this was a regional rather than territorial symbol. On January 25, 1960, Queen Elizabeth II granted a coat of arms to the protectorate via Royal Warrant. This heraldic achievement featured a shield charged with three interlocking cogwheels in the chief to represent industry, wavy blue and white lines in the centre to represent water, and a bull's head in natural colours in the base to symbolise the cattle industry. Following this grant, the Resident Commissioner of Bechuanaland adopted a personal standard consisting of the Union Flag defaced with the 1960 coat of arms on a white disc in the centre, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves. Regarding the Blue Ensign, while colonial regulations theoretically permitted the usage of a Blue Ensign defaced with the territorial arms for government vessels, the landlocked geography of the protectorate rendered this flag practically non-existent. The protectorate didn't possess a merchant marine and therefore never received an Admiralty warrant for a Red Ensign defaced with the colonial arms. Civilian entities and the few vessels operating on the Chobe or Zambezi rivers were legally required to fly the undefaced Red Ensign of the United Kingdom.
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| 1939-1984 |
The island of Saint Helena has flown the Blue Ensign bearing a colonial badge in the fly throughout its history as a Crown colony. The colonial badge used on the Blue Ensign depicted a three-masted sailing ship approaching a rocky coastline, representing the island's function as a vital reprovisioning station on the sea route between Europe and the East Indies. The ship was rendered within a circular frame on a white disc, with the name "Saint Helena" inscribed around the circumference. This badge was displayed on the Blue Ensign for official governmental purposes, flown at the Governor's residence at Plantation House and at the administrative offices in Jamestown, the island's sole town and port, situated in a narrow valley on the north-western coast. The Red Ensign bearing the same badge on a white disc was used in civilian maritime contexts by vessels registered at the island. 
The Governor's flag shown on the left seen flying
from the RMS St Helena, indicating the Governor was aboard, as the ship
arrived in James Bay, St Helena. Also, the Royal Mail pennant to
indicate the ship is carrying Her Majesty's mail. This flag was flown at Plantation House and carried on the Governor's official vessel when travelling within the island's territorial waters.The badge design underwent revision during the colonial period. An earlier version of the badge depicted a somewhat different rendering of the ship and coastline, and the precise details of the vessel's rigging and the island's topography varied across different productions. The badge was standardised following the Colonial Office's periodic reviews of colonial badge designs, and the final version depicted a fully rigged East Indiaman approaching the distinctive volcanic cliffs of the island, with the fortifications of Jamestown visible at the base of the cliffs. This rendering was intended to be historically evocative, referencing the island's association with the East India Company and the maritime commerce that had sustained its economy for centuries.
The badge was also modified when the island's administrative responsibilities were expanded to include the dependencies of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. Ascension Island, located approximately 1,300 kilometres to the north-west of Saint Helena, was administered as a dependency of Saint Helena from 1922, having previously been operated as a Royal Navy station and subsequently as a facility of the Eastern Telegraph Company. Tristan da Cunha, situated approximately 2,400 kilometres to the south, was administered as a dependency of Saint Helena from 1938. Each dependency subsequently received its own distinctive badge for use on the Blue Ensign, whilst remaining administratively subordinate to the Governor of Saint Helena. 
The Ascension Island badge depicted green turtles on a beach beneath the distinctive peak of Green Mountain, whilst the Tristan da Cunha badge depicted a Tristan longboat and a crayfish, referencing the island's fishing economy.The Blue Ensign bearing the Saint Helena badge continued in use until the adoption of a new flag on October 4, 1984, when the colony received an updated badge design. The revised badge retained the ship imagery but incorporated modifications to the rendering and the surrounding frame. The current flag of Saint Helena consists of the Blue Ensign bearing the updated colonial badge in the fly, maintaining the ensign format that has served the island since the mid 19th century. The territory's official name was changed to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha on September 1, 2009, under the terms of a new constitution, but each of the three territories continues to fly its own distinct Blue Ensign bearing its individual badge.
The Governor's flag shown on the left seen flying
from the RMS St Helena, indicating the Governor was aboard, as the ship
arrived in James Bay, St Helena. Also, the Royal Mail pennant to
indicate the ship is carrying Her Majesty's mail. This flag was flown at Plantation House and carried on the Governor's official vessel when travelling within the island's territorial waters.The badge design underwent revision during the colonial period. An earlier version of the badge depicted a somewhat different rendering of the ship and coastline, and the precise details of the vessel's rigging and the island's topography varied across different productions. The badge was standardised following the Colonial Office's periodic reviews of colonial badge designs, and the final version depicted a fully rigged East Indiaman approaching the distinctive volcanic cliffs of the island, with the fortifications of Jamestown visible at the base of the cliffs. This rendering was intended to be historically evocative, referencing the island's association with the East India Company and the maritime commerce that had sustained its economy for centuries.  |
Current flag adopted October 4, 1984 |
The Ascension Island badge depicted green turtles on a beach beneath the distinctive peak of Green Mountain, whilst the Tristan da Cunha badge depicted a Tristan longboat and a crayfish, referencing the island's fishing economy.The Blue Ensign bearing the Saint Helena badge continued in use until the adoption of a new flag on October 4, 1984, when the colony received an updated badge design. The revised badge retained the ship imagery but incorporated modifications to the rendering and the surrounding frame. The current flag of Saint Helena consists of the Blue Ensign bearing the updated colonial badge in the fly, maintaining the ensign format that has served the island since the mid 19th century. The territory's official name was changed to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha on September 1, 2009, under the terms of a new constitution, but each of the three territories continues to fly its own distinct Blue Ensign bearing its individual badge. 
Typically sloppily-constructed flag with shield sewn on backwards; personal collection
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| Vintage 1920s flag measuring 177cm by 93cm |
Bechuanaland
