Gallipoli Flag / Red Ensign

GALLIPOLI FLAG/RED ENSIGN.

Provenance: The flag held in the museum was flown at Gallipoli from April to December 1915. It was taken to France by Norman Bignell and subsequently came back to Australia with him. He gave it to his friend John Gowing, who passed it on to his daughter Ruth Gowing. She donated it to the Bega Valley Historical Society.

THE AUSTRALIAN RED ENSIGN

It resulted from the 1901 Commonwealth Government Federation Flag Design Competition. This required two entries; one for official Commonwealth Government use and one for state, local government, mercantile marine, private organisations and individuals.

The winning design was based on the British Red Ensign, Federation Southern Cross and Commonwealth Star which at that time had five points. It was changed to six points in and the current seven points in in 1908

From 1901 to 1954 the red ensign was used as a civil flag by state and local government, mercantile marine, private organisations and individuals.

In 1954 Sir Robert Menzies deemed that the commonwealth flag, which was blue, should be available for anyone to use.