Historical_flags_of_the_British_Empire_and_the_overseas_territories
The historical flags of the British Empire and the overseas territories refers to the various flags that were used across the various Dominions, Crown colonies, protectorates, and territories which made up the British Empire and overseas territories. Early flags that were used across the Empire (including the then Thirteen Colonies which later became the United States of America) tended to be variations of the Red and Blue Ensigns of Great Britain with no colonial badges or coat of arms attached to them.[1] In the first half of the 19th century, the first colonies started to acquire their own colony badges, but it was not until the UK Parliament passed the Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865 that the colonies were required to apply their own emblems.
This article is about historical flags that were used across the British Empire and the overseas territories until 1999. For information about flags of the United Kingdom, the Crown dependencies and the overseas territories, see List of British flags.
Quick Facts British Empire ...
British Empire | |
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.svg)  | |
 Flags were used to represent a variety of territories colonies, and Dominions across the British Empire |
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The following list contains all former and current flags that have been used across the Empire and as well as British overseas territories.
Aden
See also: Colony of Aden
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1937–1963 | Aden | A Blue Ensign defaced with an Arab ship inside a disc |
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Akrotiri and Dhekelia
See also: Akrotiri and Dhekelia
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960– | Akrotiri and Dhekelia | The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia have never had their own official flag, and instead use the Union Jack for all official purposes. |
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Anguilla
See also: Anguilla
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1967–1969 | Anguilla | The 1967–1969 independence flag and is still widely seen and used on the island as an unofficial flag to this day. |
 | 1990– | Anguilla | A defaced Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Anguilla in the fly. Still currently used as the flag for the island. |
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Antigua and Barbuda
See also: Antigua and Barbuda
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1956–1962 | Antigua and Barbuda | A Blue Ensign defaced with the colonial coat of arms of Antigua on a white disc. |
.svg) | 1962–1967 | Antigua and Barbuda | A Blue Ensign defaced with the colonial coat of arms of Antigua. |
 | 1967–1981 and
1981 - Present |
Antigua and Barbuda | This flag was adopted in 1967, to mark Antigua and Barbuda gaining Associated State status with the United Kingdom, and remained in use after full independence in 1981. |
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Australia
See also: Australia
- Note: Australia formally became a country independent from the United Kingdom under the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 which formally adopted the Statute of Westminster 1931 and backdated the adoption to 3 September 1939.
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1901–1903 | Australia | The original 1901 Federal Flag Design Competition winner. A Blue Ensign defaced with the Commonwealth Star (with 6 points) in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half (each star had a varying number of points: 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5). |
.svg) | 1901–1903 | Australia (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with the Commonwealth Star (with 6 points) in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half (each star had a varying number of points: 9, 8, 7, and 6). |
.svg) | 1903–1908 | Australia | A Blue Ensign defaced with the Commonwealth Star (with 6 points) in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half (all stars had seven points, except the smallest star only had 5 points) as approved by King Edward VII. |
.svg) | 1903–1908 | Australia (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with the Commonwealth Star (with 6 points) in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half (all stars had seven points). |
.svg) | 1908– | Australia | A Blue Ensign defaced with the seven-point Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half. Still currently used as the national flag of Australia. |
 | 1908– | Australia (Civil Ensign) | Based on the British Civil Air Ensign, with the addition of the Southern Cross and Commonwealth Star in white. Still currently used as the civil ensign of Australia. |
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Australian States
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1901– | State of New South Wales | A St George's Cross with four gold stars and a lion in the fly of a Blue Ensign. |
.svg) |
1901–1963 | State of Queensland | A light blue Maltese cross with a Tudor crown on a white background in the fly of a Blue Ensign. In 1963 the Tudor Crown was replaced with the St Edward's Crown. |
.svg) |
1901–1904 | State of South Australia | A Blue Ensign with a round disc in the fly displaying Brittania and an Aboriginal Australian man on a beach beside a cliff face with a kangaroo carving. |
 |
1904– | State of South Australia | A piping shrike on a gold background in the fly of a Blue Ensign. |
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1901– | State of Tasmania | A red lion on a white background in the fly of a Blue Ensign. |
.svg) |
1901–1953 | State of Victoria | The Southern Cross surmounted by a Tudor crown in the fly of a Blue Ensign. In 1953 the Tudor Crown was replaced with the St Edward's Crown. |
.svg) |
1901– | State of Western Australia | A black swan on a gold background in the fly of a Blue Ensign. |
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Bahama Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1869–1904 | Bahama Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1904–1923 | Bahama Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1923–1953 | Bahama Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands. |
.svg) | 1953–1964 | Bahama Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands. |
.svg) | 1953–1964 | Bahama Islands (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands. |
.svg) | 1964–1973 | Bahama Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands. |
.svg) | 1964–1973 | Bahama Islands (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with the badge of the Bahama Islands. |
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Bahrain
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} | 1820–1932 | Bahrain Protectorate | A plain red with a white bar at the hoist. |
.svg) | 1932–1972 | Bahrain Protectorate | A white band on the left, separated from a red area on the right by twenty-eight triangles that serve as a serrated line. |
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Barbados
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1870–1966 | Barbados | A Blue Ensign with the emblem of Barbados. |
.svg) | 1870–1966 | Barbados (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign with the emblem of Barbados. |
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Basutoland
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1822–1966 | Basutoland | Flag of the United Kingdom. |
 | 1951–1966 | Basutoland (Unofficial) | A Blue Ensign with the arms of Basutoland in a white disc. |
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Bechuanaland Protectorate
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885–1966 | Bechuanaland Protectorate | Flag of the United Kingdom. |
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Bermuda
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1875–1910 | Bermuda | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of Bermuda. |
.svg) | 1910–1999 | Bermuda | A Red Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Bermuda. |
 | 1910–1999 | Bermuda (Government Ensign) | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Bermuda. |
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British America
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Until 1801 (Canada) Until 1776 (US, de facto) Until 1783 (US, de jure) | British America, part of which is now Canada and the United States | A red ensign with the first version of the Union Jack in the canton (formed as a square). Also known as the Queen Ann Flag and amended to form the Continental Colours of the United States in 1775. |
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British Antarctic Territory
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1963– | British Antarctic Territory | A defaced White Ensign with the coat of arms of the British Antarctic Territory. |
 | 1969– | British Antarctic Territory (Government Ensign) | A defaced Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of the British Antarctic Territory. |
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British Cameroon
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1922–1961 | British Cameroons | A Blue Ensign defaced with the words 'British Cameroon' surrounding bananas, all inside a white disc. |
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British Central Africa Protectorate
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1893–1907 | British Central Africa Protectorate | A Blue Ensign with an emblem of the British Central Africa Protectorate. |
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British Ceylon
See also: British Ceylon
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1815–1948 | Ceylon | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Ceylon. |
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British Columbia Colony
See also: Colony of British Columbia (1866–1871)
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1866–1871 | British Columbia Colony | A Blue Ensign defaced with the seal of the Colony, all inside a white disc. |
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British East Africa
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1888–1895 | British East Africa Company | A Union Jack with the logo of the British East Africa Company in the centre. |
.svg) | 1895–1921 | East Africa Protectorate | A Blue Ensign defaced with an emblem of British East Africa. |
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British Guiana
See also: British Guiana
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1875–1906 | British Guiana | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British Guiana. |
.svg) | 1906–1919 | British Guiana | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British Guiana inside a white disc. |
.svg) | 1919–1954 | British Guiana | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British Guiana. |
.svg) | 1955–1966 | British Guiana | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Guiana inside a white disc. |
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British Hong Kong
See also: British Hong Kong
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1870–1876 | British Hong Kong | A Blue Ensign defaced with the letters HK and a royal crown in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1876–1941, 1945–1955 | British Hong Kong | A Blue Ensign defaced with the colonial badge of Hong Kong. |
.svg) | 1955–1959 | British Hong Kong | A Blue Ensign defaced with the colonial badge of Hong Kong. |
 | 1959–1997 | British Hong Kong | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Hong Kong in a white disc. |
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British Honduras
See also: British Honduras
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1870–1919 | British Honduras | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British Honduras inside a white disc. |
.svg) | 1919–1981 | British Honduras | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British Honduras. |
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British India
See also: British Raj
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1733–1801 | East India Company | A flag with red and white stripes and the flag of Great Britain in the canton. |
.svg) | 1801–1858 | East India Company | A flag with red and white stripes and the flag of the United Kingdom in the canton. |
| 1858–1947 | British India | Flag of the United Kingdom. |
 | 1880–1947 | British India | A Red Ensign defaced with the Order of the Star of India |
.svg) | 1885–1947 | British India | A Union Jack with the Star of India in the center, surmounted by the Tudor Crown. Used at various International events to represent Imperial India. |
 | 1879–1947 | British India (Blue Ensign) | A Blue Ensign defaced with the Star of India, used as the naval flag. |
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British Indian Ocean Territory
See also: British Indian Ocean Territory
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1990 | British Indian Ocean Territory | A defaced Union Jack with blue wavy stripes with a palm tree with a gold crown on the stump. |
 | 1990– | British Indian Ocean Territory | A defaced Union Jack with blue wavy stripes with a palm tree with a gold and red crown on the stump. |
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British Leeward Islands
See also: British Leeward Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1871–1956 | British Leeward Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the emblem of the British Leeward Islands in the fly. |
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British New Hebrides
See also: New Hebrides
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1906–1952 | British New Hebrides | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British New Hebrides. |
.svg) | 1952–1980 | British New Hebrides | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British New Hebrides. |
 | 1966–1980 | New Hebrides Condominium | The New Hebrides Condominium used several flags that features the flags of both the United Kingdom and France, this version has sky blue field. |
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British Malaya
See also: British Malaya and Federated Malay States
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1895–1946 | Federated Malay States | The flag was striped horizontally with an overall 1:2 to ratio with white stripe at the top, red, yellow and black at the bottom. In the centre was a white oblong, with a horizontal major axis, and a Malayan tiger (Malay: Harimau Malaya) leaping, face to the left. |
.svg) | 1895–1946 | Federated Malay States (Civil Ensign) | The flag was striped horizontally with an overall 1:2 to ratio with white stripe at the top, red, yellow and black at the bottom with the Union Jack in the canton. |
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Straits Settlements
See also: Straits Settlements
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1868–1874 | British Straits Settlements | A Blue Ensign defaced with a golden crown at the bottom right hand corner. |
.svg) | 1874–1925 | British Straits Settlements | A Blue Ensign defaced with a white disc containing three gold crowns separated by a red inverted pall. |
.svg) | 1925–1946 | British Straits Settlements | A Blue Ensign defaced containing three gold crowns separated by a red inverted pall. |
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British Mauritius
See also: British Mauritius
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1869–1906 | British Mauritius | A Blue Ensign defaced with the former badge of Mauritius in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1906–1923 | British Mauritius | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Mauritius in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1923–1968 | British Mauritius | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Mauritius. |
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British Nigeria (Northern & Southern)
See also: Colonial Nigeria
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1900–1914 | Northern Nigeria Protectorate | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate in a red disc. |
.svg) | 1900–1914 | Southern Nigeria Protectorate | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate in a green disc. |
.svg) | 1914–1952 | British Nigeria | A Blue Ensign defaced with a green Star of David surrounding a Tudor Crown with the white word "Nigeria" under it on a red disc. |
.svg) | 1952–1960 | British Nigeria | A Blue Ensign defaced with the a green Star of David surrounding a St. Edward's Crown with the white word "Nigeria" under it on a red disc. |
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British Solomon Islands
See also: British Solomon Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1906–1947 | British Solomon Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Solomon Islands. |
.svg) | 1947–1956 | British Solomon Islands | A Blue Ensign charged with the badge of the Solomon Islands. |
.svg) | 1956–1966 | British Solomon Islands | A Blue Ensign charged with the badge of the Solomon Islands. |
.svg) | 1966–1977 | British Solomon Islands | A Blue Ensign charged with the badge of the Solomon Islands without a white disc. |
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British Somaliland
See also: British Somaliland
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1903–1950 | British Somaliland | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Somaliland. |
.svg) | 1903–1950 | British Somaliland | A Red Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Somaliland. |
.svg) | 1950–1952 | British Somaliland | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Somaliland. |
.svg) | 1950–1952 | British Somaliland | A Red Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Somaliland. |
.svg) | 1952–1960 | British Somaliland | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Somaliland. |
.svg) | 1952–1960 | British Somaliland | A Red Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of British Somaliland. |
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British Virgin Islands
See also: British Virgin Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1960– | British Virgin Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands. |
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British West Africa
See also: British West Africa
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1866–1888 | British West Africa | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British West Africa Settlements. |
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British Windward Islands
See also: British Windward Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1886–1903 | British Windward Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the British Windward Islands inside a disc. |
.svg) | 1903–1958 | British Windward Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the British Windward Islands inside a disc. |
.svg) | 1953–1960 | British Windward Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the British Windward Islands inside a disc. |
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Burma
See also: British rule in Burma
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1939–1941; 1945–1948 | Colony of Burma | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Colony of Burma |
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Brunei
Canada
See also: Canada and Canada under British rule
- Note: Canada formally became an independent country from the United Kingdom under the Statute of Westminster 1931.
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1867–1965 | Canada (national flag) | The Union Jack served as the formal national flag of Canada from Confederation to 1965. However, from the late 19th century to 1965, the civil ensign for Canada, the Canadian Red Ensign, was also used as an unofficial national flag and symbol for Canada.[2] |
 | 1868–1921 | Canada (civil ensign and de facto national flag) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada. |
.svg) | 1870 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada surrounded by an arc of golden maple leaves. |
.svg) | 1873 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada surrounded by an arc of golden maple leaves within a white disc. |
.svg) | 1896 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada surrounded by an arc of golden maple leaves within a white disc. |
.svg) | 1896 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada with the Crown of Saint Edward (Heraldry). |
.svg) | 1868–1921 | Canada (naval ensign) | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada. |
 | 1873–1921 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada. |
.svg) | 1905–1922 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A version of the Canadian red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada that was used from 1905 until 1922. |
 | 1905–1922 | Canada (naval ensign variant) | A version of the Canadian blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada that was used from 1905 until 1922. |
 | 1921–1931 | Canada (civil ensign variant and de facto national flag) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada. |
.svg) | 1921–1931 | Canada (civil ensign variant) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada within a white disc. Used at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. |
.svg) | 1921–1931 | Canada (naval ensign) | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada. |
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Cayman Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1958–1999 | Cayman Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Cayman Islands within a white disc. |
.svg) | 1958–1999 | Cayman Islands (Civil Ensign) | A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Cayman Islands within a white disc. |
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Cape Colony
See also: Cape Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1876–1910 | Cape Colony | A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Cape Colony. |
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Cook Islands
See also: Kingdom of Rarotonga and Cook Islands Federation
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1888–1893 | Kingdom of Rarotonga | Three horizontal stripes of red, white and red, with three blue five-pointed stars on the right side of the white band, and a Union Jack in the canton. |
 | 1893–1901 | Cook Islands Federation | Three horizontal stripes of red, white and red, with a Union Jack (defaced with a palm tree on a mound of sand in the centre) in the canton. |
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Cyprus
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1881–1922 | Cyprus | A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of British Cyprus |
.svg) | 1922–1960 | Cyprus | A Blue Ensign defaced with two red lions. |
.svg) | 1922–1960 | Cyprus | A Red Ensign defaced with the badge of British Cyprus. |
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Dominica
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1955–1965 | Dominica | A Blue Ensign with the arms of Dominica |
.svg) | 1965–1978 | Dominica | A Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Dominica |
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Falkland Islands & Dependencies
See also: Falkland Islands and Falkland Islands Dependencies
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1876–1925 | Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Dependencies | A blue ensign defaced with the seal of the Falkland Islands. |
.svg) | 1925–1948 | Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Dependencies | A blue ensign defaced with the Colonial Badge of the Falkland Islands. |
.svg) | 1948–1982, 1982–1999 | Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Dependencies (1948–1982) (1982–1985) | A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands on a white disc. |
.svg) | 1948–1982, 1982–1999 | Falkland Islands (Civil Ensign) | The 1948–1999 Civil Ensign was a Red ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands on a white disc. |
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Fiji
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1877–1883 | Fiji | A Blue Ensign with a white disc in the fly containing a badge of foliage and crossed war-clubs with a superimposed shield bearing a mermaid looking at herself in a hand mirror. The badge is based on what was then the seal of the Supreme Court of Fiji. |
.svg) | 1883–1903 | Fiji | A Blue Ensign with a white disc in the fly displaying a Saint Edward's Crown surmounted by a crowned lion with the word "FIJI" beneath it. |
.svg) | 1903–1908 | Fiji | A Blue Ensign with a white disc in the fly displaying a Tudor Crown surmounted by a crowned lion with the word "FIJI" beneath it. |
.svg) | 1908–1924 | Fiji | A Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Fiji on a white disc. |
.svg) | 1908–1970 | Fiji | A Red Ensign with the coat of arms of Fiji on a white disc. |
.svg) | 1924–1970 | Fiji | A Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Fiji centred on the fly half. |
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Gambia Colony and Protectorate
See also: Gambia Colony and Protectorate
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1889–1965 | Gambia Colony and Protectorate | A blue ensign defaced with an elephant and the letters G. under the feet of the elephant all inside a disc. |
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Gibraltar
See also: Gibraltar
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1875–1921 | Gibraltar (Government Ensign) | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Gibraltar on a white disc. |
.svg) | 1921–1939 | Gibraltar (Government Ensign) | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Gibraltar. |
.svg) | 1939–1999 | Gibraltar (Government Ensign) | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Gibraltar. |
 | 1982– | Gibraltar | A white and red flag with the banner of the coat of arms of Gibraltar. Still currently used as the flag of Gibraltar. |
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Grenada
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1875–1903 | Grenada | A blue ensign defaced with the then badge of Grenada on a disc. |
.svg) | 1903–1967 | Grenada | A blue ensign defaced with the then badge of Grenada on a disc. |
.svg) | 1967–1974 | Grenada | Three equal horizontal stripes blue, yellow and green from top to bottom and a branch of a pomegranate inside a white oval in the middle. |
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Gilbert and Ellice Islands
See also: Gilbert and Ellice Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1932–1976 | Gillbert and Ellice Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Gilbert and Ellice Islands. |
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Gilbert Islands
See also: Kiribati
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1976–1979 | Gillbert Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Gilbert Islands. Identical with the previous flag of Gilbert and Ellice Islands. |
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Gold Coast
See also: Ghana
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1821–1957 | Gold Coast | A blue ensign defaced with an elephant and the letters GC under the feet of the elephant all inside a disc |
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Heligoland
See also: Heligoland
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1807–1890 | Heligoland | The flag of Heligoland with the Union Jack in the canton. |
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Ionian Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1815–1864 | Ionian Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the shield of the symbol of Mark the Evangelist (symbol of the Republic of Venice) and surrounded with the red border. |
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Iraq
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1924–1932 | Mesopotamia | Flag of Mandatory Iraq; continued to be used after independence until 1959. |
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Ireland
See also: Irish Free State
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1922–1949 | Irish Free State | A vertical tricolour of green, white and orange. Still used as the national flag for the Republic of Ireland. |
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Jamaica
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1875–1906 | Jamaica | A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white disc. |
.svg) | 1906–1957 | Jamaica | A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white disc. |
.svg) | 1957–1962 | Jamaica | A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white disc. |
.svg) | 1962 | Jamaica | A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white disc. |
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Kedah
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1912–1950 | Kedah Protectorate | Colony of Kedah Red Coat of arms. |
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Kenya
See also: Kenya Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1920–1963 | Kenya | A Blue Ensign defaced with a red lion rampant guardant. |
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Kuwait
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1899–1914 | Kuwait Protectorate | The flags of the Ottoman Empire were used. |
.svg) | 1914–1921 | Kuwait Protectorate | A red flag with the word "Kuwait" in the center. |
.svg) | 1921–1940 | Kuwait Protectorate | A Shahada was added in the fly half. |
.svg) | 1940–1961 | Kuwait Protectorate | A wasm sign was added in the fly half. |
Close
Labuan
See also: Crown Colony of Labuan
.svg)
Lagos Colony
See also: Lagos Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1888–1906 | Lagos Colony | A blue ensign defaced with an elephant and the letter L. under the feet of the elephant all inside a disc |
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Lower Canada
See also: Lower Canada
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1791–1801 | Lower Canada | The Red Ensign of Great Britain. |
 | 1801–1841 | Lower Canada | The Red Ensign of the United Kingdom. |
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Malacca
See also: Crown Colony of Malacca
.svg)
Maldives
Malta
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 19th century | Malta | A red ensign defaced with a white St George's cross. |
.svg) | 1875–1898 | Malta | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Malta in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1898–1923 | Malta | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Malta in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1923–1943 | Malta | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Malta. |
.svg) | 1943–1964 | Malta | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Malta in a white disc. |
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Montserrat
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1960–1999 | Montserrat | A Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Montserrat in the fly. |
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Kingdom of Mosquitia
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1824–1844 | Kingdom of Mosquitia | Six horizontal stripes alternating blue and white, and in the canton, a Union Jack. |
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Muscat and Oman
Natal Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1843–1910 | Natal | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Natal. |
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New Guinea
See also: Territory of New Guinea
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1884–1888 | British New Guinea | A blue British ensign with a white disc in the fly featuring the Tudor Crown over the initials "N.G.". |
 | 1888–1906 | British New Guinea | A blue British ensign with a white disc in the fly featuring the Tudor Crown over the initials "B.N.G.". |
 | 1919–1949 | Territory of New Guinea | A blue ensign defaced with a crown and the syllables T.N.G underneath inside a white disc. |
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New South Wales Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1867–1870 | New South Wales Colony | A Blue Ensign defaced with the letters "NSW". |
.svg) | 1870–1876 | New South Wales Colony | A Blue Ensign with gold stars; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 points with the "Governor's Badge" located in the fly. The badge was the Southern Cross and an imperial crown situated above the Southern Cross. |
| 1876–1901 | New South Wales Colony | A Blue Ensign with a badge located in the fly. The badge, based on the coat of arms, is a white disc with the cross of St George, a golden lion passant guardant in the centre of the cross and an eight-pointed gold star on each arm of the cross. This flag is still currently used as the state flag. |
Close
Newfoundland
See also: Newfoundland Colony and Dominion of Newfoundland
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1862–1870 | Newfoundland | A white flag bearing the red cross of St George with a yellow crown at the centre. |
 | 1870–1904 | Newfoundland | A blue ensign defaced with a seal of the crown and underwritten is "Terra Nova". |
 | 1904–1931 (used as Civil Ensign until 1965) | Newfoundland | A red ensign defaced with the Great Seal of Newfoundland and between 1907 and 1931 was the de facto national flag of Newfoundland. Used as a civil ensign until 1965. |
 | 1904–1931 | Newfoundland (Civil and Naval flag) | A Blue Ensign defaced with the Great Seal of Newfoundland, primarily civil and naval use. |
| 1931–1949 (Province flag until 1980) | Newfoundland | The Union Jack was used in Newfoundland as the national flag from 1931 until confederation with Canada in 1949 and was then used as the province flag until 1980. |
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New Zealand
See also: Colony of New Zealand and New Zealand
- Note: Although it had been self-governing since 1852, New Zealand formally became an independent country from the United Kingdom under the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947, which adopted the Statute of Westminster 1931.
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840–1902[3] | New Zealand | Adopted following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. |
 | 1867–1869 | New Zealand (naval ensign) | A Blue Ensign defaced with the red letters “NZ” with white edge written into the lower fly half. This flag was used on New Zealand Government ships. |
 | 1902 | New Zealand (national flag) | A Blue Ensign with the Southern Cross of four white-edged red five-pointed stars centred on the fly half. This flag is still currently used as the National flag of New Zealand. |
 | 1869 | New Zealand (civil ensign) | A Red Ensign with the Southern Cross of four white five-pointed stars centred on the fly half. This flag is still currently used as the Civil Ensign of New Zealand. |
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Niger Coast Protectorate
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1884–1893 | Oil Rivers Protectorate | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of the Oil Rivers Protectorate in a disc. |
.svg) | 1893–1899 | Niger Coast Protectorate | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of the Niger Coast Protectorate in a white disc. |
Close
North Borneo
See also: North Borneo
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1882–1902 | North Borneo | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of the North Borneo Chartered Company. |
.svg) | 1882–1902 | North Borneo (Civil Ensign) | A red ensign defaced with the badge of the North Borneo Chartered Company. |
.svg) | 1902–1948 | North Borneo | A blue ensign defaced with the badge of the North Borneo Chartered Company. |
.svg) | 1902–1948 | North Borneo (Civil Ensign) | A red ensign defaced with the badge of the North Borneo Chartered Company. |
.svg) | 1948–1963 | North Borneo | A blue ensign defaced with the new badge of Crown Colony of North Borneo. |
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Nova Scotia
See also: Nova Scotia
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1858– | Nova Scotia | A blue saltire on a white field with the Royal Arms of Scotland in the centre. An unofficial banner of arms first used by the public in 1858, based on the then-disused 1625 arms of Nova Scotia. The Union Flag was Nova Scotia's official flag both before and after joining Canada in 1867. The 1625 arms were officially restored in 1929, and widely used as flag thereafter, but not officially adopted as the provincial flag until 2013. |
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Nyasaland
See also: Nyasaland
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1914–1919 | Nyasaland | A blue ensign defaced with the coat-of-arms of Nyasaland within a white circle. |
.svg) | 1919–1925 | Nyasaland | A blue ensign defaced with a larger version of the coat-of-arms of Nyasaland. |
.svg) | 1925–1964 | Nyasaland | A blue ensign defaced with the coat-of-arms of Nyasaland. |
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Orange River Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1900–1910 | Orange River Colony | A blue ensign defaced with a springbok antelope in a disc |
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Palestine
See also: Mandatory Palestine
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920–1948 | British Mandate of Palestine | The Union Flag was used as the general land flag of the mandate. land flag of the mandate. |
 | 1927–1948 | British Mandate of Palestine (civil ensign) | A red ensign defaced with the word Palestine inside a white disc, for use by ships registered in the territory. |
.svg) | 1927–1948 | British Mandate of Palestine | A blue ensign defaced with the word Palestine inside a white disc, for use by customs and postal service vessels. |
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Territory of Papua
See also: Territory of Papua
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1906–1949 | Territory of Papua | A blue ensign defaced with a crown and the word Papua underneath inside a white disc. |
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Penang
See also: Crown Colony of Penang
Pitcairn Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1984– | Pitcairn Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands. |
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Province of Canada
See also: Province of Canada
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1841–1867 | Province of Canada | The Flag of the United Kingdom. |
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Qatar
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1916–1932 | Qatar Protectorate | A white band on the hoist side, separated from a red area on the fly side by ten white triangles which act as a serrated line. |
.svg) | 1932–1936 | Qatar Protectorate | A white band on the hoist side, separated from a maroon area on the fly side by eight white triangles which act as a serrated line. |
.svg){kind=small} | 1936–1949 | Qatar Protectorate | A nine-pointed serrated edge, diamonds and the word "Qatar". |
.svg){kind=small} | 1949–1971 | Qatar Protectorate | A white band on the hoist side, separated from a maroon area on the fly side by nine white triangles which act as a serrated line. |
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Queensland Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1859 | Queensland Colony | On 10 December 1859, "a light blue flag with a red St George's Cross and union in the corner" (now known as the Queensland Separation Flag) was flown in Brisbane to mark Queensland's separation from New South Wales. |
.svg) | 1870–1876 | Queensland Colony | A blue ensign defaced but no Badge present. In its place was a profile of Queen Victoria on a blue disc surrounded by a white annulus on which the word "Queensland" was inscribed in gold.[5] |
 | 1876–1901 | Queensland Colony | British Blue Ensign defaced with the state badge on a white disc in the fly. The badge is a light blue Maltese Cross with an imperial crown in the centre of the cross. This flag is still currently used as the state flag of Queensland. |
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Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1958–1967 | Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla | A blue ensign with the emblem of the territory in the fly. |
 | 1967–1983 | Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla | A vertical tricolour of green, yellow and blue with a black palm tree in the centre. |
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Saint Helena and Dependencies
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1874–1984 | Saint Helena and Dependencies | A blue ensign defaced with the triangular coat of arms of Saint Helena. |
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Saint Lucia
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1875–1939 | Saint Lucia | A blue ensign defaced with the emblem of Saint Lucia. |
.svg) | 1939–1967 | Saint Lucia | A blue ensign defaced with the emblem of Saint Lucia. |
.svg) | 1967–1979 | Saint Lucia | A cerulean blue field with a gold triangle in front of a black isosceles triangle outlined in white in the centre. |
Close
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1877–1907 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
.svg) | 1907–1979 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
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Seychelles
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1903–1961 | Seychelles | A Blue Ensign defaced with a palm tree and a tortoise aside encircled . |
.svg) | 1961–1976 | Seychelles | A Blue Ensign defaced with the legend "Seychelles" on top a palm tree and a tortoise below encircled. |
Close
Sierra Leone
See also: Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1889–1914 | Sierra Leone | A Blue Ensign defaced with an elephant and the initials S.L. encircled. |
.svg) | 1916–1961 | Sierra Leone | A Blue Ensign defaced with the coat of arms of Sierra Leone inside a white disc. |
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South Australia Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1870–1876 | South Australia Colony | A blue ensign defaced with a black disc in the fly containing the Southern Cross and the two pointers (Alpha and Beta Centauri). |
| 1876–1901 | South Australia Colony | A blue ensign defaced with a badge design of an artistic rendition of the arrival of Britannia (a woman in flowing garb and holding a shield, representing the new settlers) meeting an Aboriginal person sitting with a spear on a rocky shoreline. |
Close
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1992–1999 | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | A Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands inside a white disc. |
Close
South Africa
See also: Union of South Africa
- Note: South Africa formally became a country independent from the United Kingdom in 1931 after formally adopting the Statute of Westminster.
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1910–1912 | Union of South Africa | A red ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the Union of South Africa inside a white disc. This South Africa Red Ensign was South Africa's de facto national flag between 1910 and 1928 and was flown at times from Government buildings despite it only being officially used between 1910 and 1912. |
.svg) | 1910–1928 | Union of South Africa | A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the Union of South Africa The Blue Ensign was flown over the Union's offices abroad between 1910 and 1928. |
.svg) | 1912–1928 | Union of South Africa | The design of the Red Ensign was modified slightly in 1912 when the shield was placed on a white disc so as to make it more distinguishable. The Red Ensign continued to be used as the flag of the South African merchant marine until 1951.[6] |
 | 1928–1961 | Union of South Africa | A flag based on the Prince's Flag, with three smaller flags centred in the white stripe. The smaller flags were the Union Jack towards the hoist, the flag of Orange Free State hanging vertically and the Transvaal Vierkleur towards the fly. This flag continued to be used by the Republic of South Africa until 1994. |
Close
Rhodesia (Northern & Southern)
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1890–1924 (1890–1924 Northern) (1890–1923 Southern) | Rhodesia | A Union Jack with a lion holding ivory and initials of the British South Africa Company in the centre. |
.svg) | 1924–1964 | Northern Rhodesia | A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Northern Rhodesia. |
.svg) | 1923–1953 1968–1980 | Southern Rhodesia | A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Southern Rhodesia. |
.svg) | 1953–1963 | Rhodesia and Nyasaland | A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. |
.svg) | 1964–1968 | Southern Rhodesia | A light blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Southern Rhodesia. |
| 1979–1980 | Southern Rhodesia | Flag of the United Kingdom. |
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Sarawak
See also: Crown Colony of Sarawak
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1870–1946 | Flag of the Sarawak Protectorate | A cross, half black and half red, on yellow based on shield-of-arms of Sarawak. |
 | 1946–1963 | Sarawak | A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Sarawak. |
Close
Singapore
See also: Colony of Singapore
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1946–1952 | Singapore | A blue ensign defaced with a white disc containing a Tudor crown within a red inverted pall. |
.svg) | 1952–1959 | Singapore | A blue ensign defaced with a white disc containing Saint Edward's crown within a red inverted pall. |
 | 1959–1963 | Singapore | A horizontal bicolour of red and white, defaced in the canton with a white Malay crescent moon and a pentagon of five white Chinese stars. Still used as the national flag of the Republic of Singapore. |
Close
Sudan
See also: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1922–1955 | Anglo-Egyptian Sudan | The Flag of the Kingdom of Egypt and the Union Jack used simultaneously. |
.svg) | 1955 | Flag used during the 1955 Afro-Asian Conference | White flag with the word "SUDAN" in red. |
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Tanganyika
See also: Tanganyika (territory)
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1919–1961 | Tanganyika | A red ensign defaced with the head of a giraffe in a white disc. |
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Tasmania Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1875 | Tasmania Colony | A white cross on a blue field, in the canton was the Union Flag, and in the fly was five five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross. |
| 1876–1901 | Tasmania Colony | A defaced blue ensign with the state badge located in the fly. The badge is a white disc with a red lion passant in the centre of the disc. Still currently used as the state flag of Tasmania. |
Close
Transjordan
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1921–1946 | Transjordan (British Mandate of Jordan) | Flag of the Emirate of Transjordan. |
Close
Transvaal Colony
Trinidad and Tobago
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1889–1958 | Trinidad & Tobago | A Blue Ensign defaced with a circular badge depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain. |
 | 1889–1958 | Trinidad & Tobago (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with a circular badge depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain. |
.svg) | 1958–1962 | Trinidad & Tobago | A Blue Ensign defaced with a escutcheon depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain. |
.svg) | 1958–1962 | Trinidad & Tobago (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with a escutcheon depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain. |
Close
Tuvalu
See also: Gilbert and Ellice Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1976–1978 | Tuvalu | A blue ensign defaced with a circular badge with a hut and the motto of Tuvalu. |
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Turks and Caicos Islands
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | 1889–1968 | Turks and Caicos Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the former coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands. |
.svg) | 1968–1999 | Turks and Caicos Islands | A blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands. |
Close
Trucial States
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1820–various | Trucial States | Trucial Maritime flag |
 | 1936–various | Trucial States | Trucial Maritime flag |
 | 1964–1971 | Trucial States | Unofficial flag of the Trucial States Council |
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Uganda
See also: Uganda Protectorate
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1914–1962 | Uganda | A blue ensign defaced with a grey crowned crane inside a disc. |
Close
Upper Canada
See also: Upper Canada
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1791–1801 | Upper Canada | The Red Ensign of Great Britain. |
| 1801–1841 | Upper Canada | The Red Ensign of the United Kingdom. |
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Victoria Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1870–1877 | Victoria Colony | A defaced British Blue Ensign with the Southern Cross located in the fly. The stars of the Southern Cross were white and had 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 points with only the leftmost and rightmost stars having one point pointing to the top of the flag. |
.svg) | 1877 | Victoria Colony | A defaced British Blue Ensign with the stars of the southern cross from then on having 5, 6, 7, 7 and 8 points in a white disc. |
.svg) | 1877–1901 | Victoria Colony | A defaced British Blue Ensign with the stars of the southern cross from then on having 5, 6, 7, 7 and 8 points. |
Close
Weihaiwei
See also: Weihaiwei under British rule
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1903–1930 | Weihaiwei | A Blue Ensign defaced with two Mandarin ducks by a pond inside a disc. |
Close
Western Australia Colony
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870–1901 | Western Australia Colony | A Blue Ensign defaced with a swan in a yellow disc. The flag was still used as the state flag until 1953. |
Close
Western Samoa
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1914–1920 | Western Samoa | The flag of New Zealand was used during the control of NZ-forces. |
 | 1922–1962 | Western Samoa | A Blue Ensign defaced with three palm trees encircled. |
 | 1922–1962 | Western Samoa (Civil Ensign) | A Red Ensign defaced with three palm trees encircled. Used at sea. |
Close
West Indies Federation
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1958–1962 | West Indies Federation | It has four equally-spaced narrow white stripes with a large orange-gold disc over the middle two lines in the centre of the flag, undulating horizontally across a blue field. |
Close
Zanzibar
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1896–1963 | Zanzibar | A red flag used during the British protectorate. |
Close
More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1869–1901 | Flag of the governor-general of Canada | A Union Jack, defaced with a white circle, at the centre of which is the crowned shield of arms of Canada in 1869, surrounded by a wreath of green maple leaves. | |
| 1901–1921 | Flag of the governor-general of Canada | A Union Jack, defaced with a white circle, at the centre of which is the crowned shield of arms of Canada in 1869, surrounded by a wreath of green maple leaves. | |
| 1921–1931 | Flag of the governor-general of Canada | A Union Jack, defaced with a white circle, at the centre of which is the crowned shield of arms of Canada in 1921, surrounded by a wreath of stylize green maple leaves. | |
| 1869–1874 | Flag of the governor of New Zealand | A Union Jack defaced with four white stars in the form of a cross. This design was due to a misinterpretation of design instructions. | |
| 1874–1908 | Flag of the governor of New Zealand | A Union Jack defaced with a white circle with four red stars and the initial 'NZ' in the center. The whole surrounded by a green wreath. | |
| 1908–1936 | Flag of the governor of New Zealand | A Union Jack defaced with a white circle with four red stars and the initial 'NZ' in the center. The whole surrounded by a wreath of fern. | |
| 1875–1948 | Flag of the governor of Ceylon | A Union Jack defaced with the badge of Ceylon. | |
| 1875 – c. 1898 | Flag of the governor of Malta | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Malta. | |
| c. 1898 – 1943 | Flag of the governor of Malta | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Malta. | |
| 1943–1964 | Flag of the governor of Malta | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Malta. | |
| 1875–1906 | Flag of the governor of Jamaica | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica. | |
| 1906–1957 | Flag of the governor of Jamaica | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica. | |
| 1957–1962 | Flag of the governor of Jamaica | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica. | |
| 1962 | Flag of the governor of Jamaica | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica. | |
| 1877–1883 | Flag of the governor of Fiji | A Union Jack defaced with a white disc in the centre surrounded by a laurel wreath and containing a badge of foliage and crossed war-clubs with a superimposed shield bearing a mermaid looking at herself in a hand mirror. | |
| 1883–1903 | Flag of the governor of Fiji | A Union Jack defaced with a white disc in the centre surrounded by a laurel wreath and containing a Saint Edward's Crown surmounted by a crowned lion with the word "FIJI" beneath it. | |
| 1903–1908 | Flag of the governor of Fiji | A Union Jack defaced with a white disc in the centre surrounded by a laurel wreath and containing a Tudor Crown surmounted by a crowned lion with the word "FIJI" beneath it. | |
| 1908–1970 | Flag of the governor of Fiji | A Union Jack defaced with the full coat of arms of Fiji on a white disc surrounded by a laurel wreath in the centre.[8] | |
| 1881–1905 | Flag of the high commissioner of Cyprus | A Union Jack defaced with the letters "C.H.C". | |
| 1905–1960 | Flag of the high commissioner and the governor of Cyprus | A Union Jack defaced with two red lions. | |
| 1882–1903 | Flag of the governor of North Borneo | A yellow flag with lion in the centre pointing towards the right direction. | |
| 1903–1915 | Flag of the governor of North Borneo | A yellow flag with lion in the centre pointing towards the left direction. | |
| 1915–1946 | Flag of the governor of North Borneo | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of North Borneo. | |
| 1948–1963 | Flag of the governor of North Borneo Crown | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of North Borneo Crown Colony. | |
| 1884–1981 | Flag of the governor of British Honduras | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of British Honduras. Also used on the Colony of the Bay Islands. | |
| 1885–1947 | Flag used by the British governors-general, governors, lieutenant governors, chief commissioners and other British officers in India | A Union Jack defaced with the Star of India surmounted by the Tudor Crown. | |
| 1899–1903 | Flag of the commissioner of Weihaiwei | A Union Jack defaced with Chinese dragon in a yellow disc. | |
| 1903–1930 | Flag of the commissioner of Weihaiwei | A Union Jack defaced with a pair of Mandarin ducks. | |
| 1902–1909 | Flag of the governor-general of Australia | A Union Jack defaced with a six pointed star, surmounted with the Tudor Crown, surrounded by ears of corn and a gold circlet. | |
| 1909–1936 | Flag of the governor-general of Australia | A Union Jack defaced with a seven pointed star, surmounted with the Tudor Crown, surrounded by ears of corn and a gold circlet. | |
| 1903–1961 | Flag of the governor of Seychelles | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Seychelles. | |
| 1961–1976 | Flag of the governor of Seychelles | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Seychelles | |
| 1904–1946 | Flag of the governor of the Straits Settlements | A Union Jack defaced with the badge of Straits Settlements. | |
| 1906–1968 | Flag of the governor of Mauritius | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Colonial Mauritius. | |
| 1906–1953 | Flag of the resident commissioner of the British New Hebrides | A Union Jack defaced with the badge of British New Hebrides. | |
| 1952–1980 | Flag of the resident commissioner of the British New Hebrides | A Union Jack defaced with the badge of British New Hebrides. | |
| 1910–1955 | Flag flown on Government House, Hong Kong and the governor's official car during British rule | A Union Jack defaced with the then Colonial Badge of Hong Kong. | |
| 1955–1959 | Flag flown on Government House, Hong Kong and the governor's official car during British rule | A Union Jack defaced with the then Colonial Badge of Hong Kong. | |
| 1959–1997 | Flag flown on Government House, Hong Kong and the governor's official car during British rule | A Union Jack defaced with the then Coat of arms of Hong Kong. | |
| 1910–1931 | Flag of the governor-general of the Union of South Africa | A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of Arms of South Africa. | |
| 1914–1952 | Flag of the governor(-general) of Nigeria | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Nigeria. | |
| 1952–1960 | Flag of the governor(-general) of Nigeria | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Nigeria. | |
| 1914–1964 | Flag of the governor of Nyasaland | A Union Jack defaced with the badge of Nyasaland. | |
| 1921–1922 | Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland | A Union Flag defaced with an Irish Harp. | |
| Until 1973 | Personal flag of the governor of Northern Ireland | A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Northern Ireland. | |
| 1922–1956 | Flag of the governor-general of the Sudan | A Union Flag defaced with a white disc surrounded by a wreath of laurel. As no badge or coat of arms existed for Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, the disc instead contained the words "Governor General of the SUDAN". | |
| 1924–1951 | Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia | A Union Jack defaced with the shield from Coat of Arms of Southern Rhodesia. | |
| 1951–1952 | Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia | A blue flag with a Tudor Crown in the centre (in official proportions of 7:9). | |
| 1952–1965 (de jure 1952–1970) | Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia | A blue flag withna St. Edward's Crown in the centre (in official proportions of 7:9). | |
| 1940–1952 | Household flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia | A red flag with a Tudor Crown in the centre, used as a car flag. | |
| 1952–1965 | Household flag of governor of Southern Rhodesia | A red flag with the representation of the Zimbabwe Bird in yellow, used as a car flag. | |
| 1929– | Personal flag of the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia | A Union Jack defaced with the shield of the Arms of Her Majesty in Right of Nova Scotia surrounded by a circle of 18 green maple leaves. | |
| 1939–1964 | Flag of the governor of Northern Rhodesia | A Union Jack defaced with the shield from Coat of Arms of Northern Rhodesia. | |
| 1946–1963 | Flag of the governor of Sarawak | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Sarawak Crown Colony. | |
| 1946–1952 | Flag of the governor of Singapore | A Union Jack defaced with the Badge of Singapore Crown Colony. | |
| 1951–1966 | Flag of the resident commissioner of Basutoland | A Union Jack defaced with the badge of Basutoland. | |
| 1953–1963 | Flag of the governor-general of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland | A dark blue flag with the crest from the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom at the top, and the words "Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland" on a golden scroll below. | |
| 1955–1963 | Flag of the British resident of Zanzibar | A Union Jack defaced with a badge of sailboat that surmounted by a crown. | |
| 1959–1965 | Flag of the lieutenant governor of Ontario | The Canadian Red Ensign defaced by a disc bearing the shield of the Arms of Ontario surrounded by a chain of green maple leaves. | |
| 1967–1981 | Flag used by the British governor of Antigua and Barbuda | A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Antigua and Barbuda. |
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More information Flag, Date ...
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600–1858 | Flag of the English/British East India Company | Numerous white and red stripes (no set number) with the St George's Cross in the canton. | |
| 1707–1800 | Flag of the British East India Company | Numerous white and red stripes with the Union Jack of Great Britain in the canton. Accepted to be one of the inspirations for the Grand Union Flag that eventually evolved into the current flag of the United States. | |
| 1801–1858 | Flag of the British East India Company | Numerous white and red stripes with the Union Jack of the United Kingdom in the canton. | |
| 1682–1707 | Flag of the Hudson's Bay Company | The English Red Ensign defaced with the initials of the company. | |
| 1707–1801 | Flag of the Hudson's Bay Company | The pre-1801 Red Ensign defaced with the initials of the company. | |
| c. 1801–1965 | Flag of the Hudson's Bay Company | A Red Ensign defaced with the initials of the company. | |
| pre–1801 | Flag of the North West Company | The pre-1801 Red Ensign defaced with the initials of the company. | |
| c. 1801–1821 | Flag of the North West Company | A Red Ensign defaced with the initials of the company. | |
| 1889–1961 | Flag of the British South Africa Company | A Union Jack with the logo of the British South Africa Company in the middle. | |
| 1889–1961 | Ensign of the British South Africa Company | A Blue Ensign defaced with the Symbol of the British South Africa Company. | |
| 1801–1922 | Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland | The Union Jack defaced with the Coat of Arms of Ireland. | |
| c. 1701–post 1800 | Green Ensign | An unofficial merchant navy flag consisting of a green field with an earlier version of the golden harp and the Flag of England in the canton, no record of its actual use. | |
| Post 1800–c. 1922 | Green Ensign | An unofficial merchant navy flag consisting of green field with golden harp and the Union Jack in the canton, no record of its actual use. | |
| Post 1910–c. 1921 | British Empire flag | An unofficial flag of the British Empire featuring its constituent dominions and India. Its origins are unclear, but it could not have been in use until after 1910 when South Africa was granted a coat of arms. Flown by civilians throughout the empire for coronations, the British Empire Exhibition and Empire Day. This variant was likely created for the 1911 coronation of King George V.[9] | |
| 1921– | British Empire flag of the Dangarsleigh War Memorial | An unofficial flag of the British Empire featuring its constituent dominions and India. A unique design was featured at the 1921 opening of the Dangarsleigh War Memorial, and it is still sometimes flown today on special occasions.[10] | |
| Post 1930–c. 1945 | British Empire flag | An unofficial flag of the British Empire featuring its constituent dominions and India. This variant was likely created for the 1937 coronation of King George VI. |
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- "Flags of the British Empire and Commonwealth". Historical Flags of Our Ancestors. Archived from the original on 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
- "The history of the National Flag of Canada". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- "Flags of New Zealand Page 3 – Union Jack". nzhistory.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- "NewspaperSG". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- Ausflag (1995) 'Queensland', http://www.ausflag.com.au/flags/qld.doc Archived 2008-05-22 at the Wayback Machine, [9 March 2004]
- Merchant Shipping Act 1951 (South Africa); South Africa Government Gazette No 6085 dated 25 July 1958.
- The flag is the colonial flag which replaced the "Vierkleur" of the South African Republic (horizontally red, white and blue with a vertical green stripe at the hoist).
- "Union Jack flag with Fijian crest Archived 2020-08-01 at the Wayback Machine", Museum of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- Kelly, Ralph (8 August 2017). "A flag for the Empire" (PDF). The Flag Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- Ingall, Jennifer (4 June 2021). "Why the Dangarsleigh war memorial flies the Empire flag and what it means to the community". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
Historical flags of the British Empire and the overseas territories at Wikipedia's sister projects:
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