Red Ensign facts for kids

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Red Ensign


Name	Red Duster
Use	Civil ensign
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	British Merchant Navy
Design	Red with the Union Jack occupying one quarter of the field and placed in the canton.

A poster from World War II showing the Red Ensign.

A well-used Red Ensign on a motorboat.

The Red Ensign is a special flag used by ships from the United Kingdom. People sometimes call it the "Red Duster". It is the main flag for British merchant ships and passenger ships. These are ships that carry goods or people, not warships.

The Red Ensign is usually plain red. It has the Union Jack (the UK's national flag) in the top left corner. Sometimes, a special badge or symbol is added to the right side of the flag. This makes it unique for certain groups or territories.

This flag has been flown by British merchant ships since 1707. Before that, England and Scotland each had their own red flags for their navies. Records show that the English navy was using red flags as early as the 1620s.

History of the Red Ensign

Early English Red Ensign

The English Red Ensign in the 1600s.

Before 1707, the plain red flag was used by one of the three main groups of the Royal Navy, called the Red Squadron. By 1620, this red flag started to show the Saint George's Cross (a red cross on a white background) in its top left corner.

In 1674, King Charles II officially said that the Red Ensign was the correct flag for English merchant ships. This shows that merchant ships were already using it before this date.

Scottish Red Ensign

The Scottish Red Ensign, used before 1707.

Before 1707, ships of the Royal Scots Navy flew a Scottish Red Ensign. This flag had a saltire (a white X on a blue background) in the top left corner.

Recently, some people in Scotland have tried to get the Scottish Ensign officially recognized again. They want it to be an optional flag for Scottish merchant ships.

Great Britain's Red Ensign (1707–1800)

The British Red Ensign from 1707 to 1800.

The British Red Ensign used in British America.

In 1707, England and Scotland joined together to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. This led to a new Red Ensign. This new flag had the first Union Flag (combining the English St. George's Cross and the Scottish saltire) in its top left corner.

Queen Anne announced that this new flag should be used by both the navy and by ships owned by regular people.

This flag was also flown by ships in the Thirteen Colonies in North America before the American Revolution. Colonists sometimes changed the flag to show their unhappiness. For example, the Grand Union Flag, which was the first American national flag, was based on this Red Ensign.

United Kingdom's Red Ensign (1801–present)

The British Red Ensign from 1801 to today.

In 1801, Ireland joined with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This meant the Union Flag changed again. The St Patrick's Cross (a red X on a white background) was added to the Union Flag. This new Union Flag then appeared in the top left corner of the Red Ensign.

For a long time, the Red Ensign was also used by the Royal Navy. But in 1864, a big change happened. The Admiralty (the group in charge of the Royal Navy) decided that warships should have their own clear flag.

So, in 1864, it was decided that:

The White Ensign would be the flag for the Royal Naval Service (warships).
The Blue Ensign would be for ships commanded by Royal Naval Reserve officers and government ships.
The Red Ensign would be the main flag for British merchant ships.

This system is still in place today. Many British colonies and territories also started using their own versions of the Blue Ensign for government ships and the Red Ensign for merchant ships, often with a special badge added.

Plain Red Ensign

The plain Red Ensign is the official flag for merchant ships in the United Kingdom. It has a simple design: a red flag with the Union Jack in the top left corner. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall.

Defaced Red Ensign

Some government groups or public organizations in the UK use Red Ensigns with their own special badge or symbol added. This is called a "defaced" ensign. Here are some examples:

Ensign	Group
	Company of Watermen and Lightermen
	Maritime Volunteer Service
	National Register of Historic Vessels
	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
	Trinity House

Many yacht clubs are also allowed to fly a Red Ensign with their club's badge on it. This shows they are part of a special group.

Flags Based on the Red Ensign

Many countries and territories that were once part of the British Empire have flags based on the Red Ensign. They usually have their own national symbol or coat of arms on the right side of the flag.

British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies

Bermuda

Bermuda's Red Ensign.

Bermuda is unique because it uses the Red Ensign as its flag on land, not just at sea. The flag has a white and green shield with a red lion. This lion holds a shield showing the sinking of a ship called the Sea Venture in 1609.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar's Red Ensign.

Gibraltar also has a Red Ensign that includes its coat of arms. You can often see these flags on ships around Gibraltar.

Isle of Man

Isle of Man Red Ensign.

The Isle of Man has its own Red Ensign for ships registered there. It has the "triskelion" symbol (three bent legs joined at the thigh) in the middle. This flag is popular for luxury yachts and large cargo ships because of financial benefits the island offers.

Australia

Australian Red Ensign.

The British Red Ensign and the Australian Red Ensign during Anzac Day in Australia.

The Australian Red Ensign is the flag for Australian merchant ships. For many years, it was also used as a civil flag on land by private citizens. However, after 1953, the Blue Ensign became the main national flag for all uses. Today, pleasure boats in Australia can fly either the Red Ensign or the national flag.

Canada

Canadian flag (1868–1921).

Canadian flag (1921–1957).

Final Canadian Red Ensign (1957–1965).

The "Red Ensign" often refers to the Canadian Red Ensign. This flag was Canada's unofficial national flag for a long time. It was used on Canadian merchant ships from 1892. On land, people often used it even though the official flag was the Union Flag.

The Canadian Red Ensign had different versions of the Canadian coat of arms on its right side. It was Canada's national flag until 1965. After a big discussion, it was replaced by the Maple Leaf flag we know today.

Even though it's no longer the national flag, the Red Ensign is still popular with some traditional groups in Canada. Also, the flags of the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario are Red Ensigns with their own coats of arms.

Ontario's official flag since 1965.
Manitoba's official flag since 1966.
Hudson's Bay Company corporate flag, 1801–1965.
HBC flag, 1707–1801.
HBC flag, 1682–1707.
North West Company flag, 1801–1821.
NWC flag before 1801.

Newfoundland

Newfoundland Red Ensign.

The Red Ensign with the Newfoundland seal was an unofficial flag from 1904. In 1931, it became the official flag for merchant ships. The seal on the flag shows the god Mercury and a fisherman. It also has the words Terra Nova (New Land) and Hæc Tibi Dona Fero (These gifts I bring thee).

Fiji

Fijian Red Ensign.

The Fijian Red Ensign became the official flag for civilian ships in Fiji in 1970. It has the Union Flag in the top left and the shield from the coat of arms of Fiji on the right.

India

Indian Red Ensign with the Star of India.

During the time of British India, the Red Ensign with the Star of India was often used to represent India at international events. After India and Pakistan became separate countries, they each created their own Red Ensigns. These flags have their own national flag in the top left corner.

Some smaller states within British India, called 'princely states', also had their own versions of the Red Ensign for their merchant ships if they had a coastline.

Civil Ensign of Baroda State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Bhavnagar State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Cambay State (until 1948).
Civil ensign of the Kingdom of Cochin (until 1948).
Civil ensign of Cutch State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Jafrabad State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Janjira State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Junagadh State (until 1948).
Civil ensign of Nawanagar State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Porbandar State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Sachin State (until 1948).
Civil Ensign of Travancore State (until 1948).

New Zealand

New Zealand's Red Ensign.

A Red Ensign used by some Māori.

The New Zealand Red Ensign became the official flag for merchant ships in 1901. It has the Union Flag in the top left corner. On the right side, it shows the Southern Cross constellation, made of four white stars.

The Red Ensign can still be flown on land in Māori areas or during Māori events. This is because Māori people have preferred red flags for a long time. Māori custom allows adding white capital letters to the flag to show a specific family or tribe. For example, the flag on the right has "TAKITIMU" on it, which refers to a group of Māori tribes.

Today, private and merchant boats in New Zealand can choose to fly either the Flag of New Zealand (a blue flag) or the New Zealand Red Ensign.

South Africa

Red Ensign of the Union of South Africa (1912–1951).

The Red Ensign with the shield of the national coat of arms was the merchant flag for the Union of South Africa from 1910. It was also used as an unofficial national flag on land until 1928. In 1928, South Africa got its own unique national flag.

United States

The flag of Taunton, Massachusetts is based on the pre-1801 Red Ensign. This was a local version of the Flag of New England.

The Grand Union Flag, which was the first national flag of the United States, was made by adding white stripes to the British Red Ensigns. The current Flag of Hawaii is similar to it.

Flag of New England.
Another flag of New England.
George Rex Flag.
Flag of Taunton, Massachusetts.
Ensign used in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Grand Union Flag.

The Scout Association

Sea Scout groups in The Scout Association that are recognized by the Royal Navy can fly a special Red Ensign with their badge on it. This shows their connection to the navy.