Canada, Blue Ensign, HMCS Naval Jack, 1939 - 1945, WWII
This small, professionally made, machine sewn wool flag with a dye-screened badge was the official Royal Canadian Civil Ensign & Jack, and was the approved design from 1921 until 1957. It was used by His Majesty's Royal Canadian Navy as a jack and by vessels of the Canadian government as an ensign.
The flag is a jack, meaning that it is a flag of national character flown by vessels when anchored or when under way while dressing ship. Additionally, the flag bears the brand name "Pioneer" on the label, a trade mark of the venerable Jones Tent & Awning Company of Vancouver, British Columbia. The company, which was founded in 1887, was a manufacturer of sails, curtains, blinds, work clothing and during the Second World War, flags as well.
During World War II the Royal Canadian Navy grew from a scant 11 vessels in 1939 into the third largest allied navy of the war with over 400 ships. As a part of the war effort JT&A helped supply the Canadian vessels of the British Pacific Fleet, the Commonwealth Naval force deployed in the Pacific Ocean to fight the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Since this flag is too small (26"x 52") to have been used as an ensign, it is likely that this was a jack hoisted in the bows of Canadian warships when at anchor. Known alternately by its nick name of "Canadian Blue Ensign" or simply "Blue Ensign", it is one of the least known flags of Canada.
Provenance: Acquired at Internet Auction 2008.
ZFC Significant Flag
Sources:
List of Canadian flags, Wikipedia, 5 October 2011, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_flags
Fraser , Alister B., The Flags of Canada, 5 October 2011, from:
http://www.fraser.cc/FlagsCan/
Jones Tent & Awning Building - 1913, flicker, 5 October 2011, from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobkh/446350227/
Royal Canadian Navy, Wikipedia, 5 October 2011, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Navy
British Pacific Fleet, Wikipedia, 5 October 2011, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Pacific_Fleet
