Red Ensign c1950s/1960s.

An original flag from one of the ‘Northern’ trawlers.

The Red Ensign or “Red Duster” is the civil ensign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is one of the British ensigns and it is used either plain or defaced with a badge or other emblem, mostly in the right half.

During WW2, nearly one third of the world’s Merchant ships flew the “Red Duster”.