Naval Colours (Australia)

Last modified: 2005-04-02 by jonathan dixon
Keywords: australia | white ensign | stars: southern cross | southern cross: blue | garter | royal cypher |
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• Queen's Colours for RAN
• RAN silk flag
• History of the King's/Queen's Colours for the RAN

See also:

• Naval Flags
• Army Regimental Flags
• Air Force Colours, Standards and Banners
• Australia
• Other Australian flags

Queen's Colours for the Royal Australian Navy

by Martin Grieve, 31 Mar 2004
Click here for a close up of the royal crown/cypher/garter.

There are two [Queen's Colours for the Royal Australian Navy], which are the Australian White Ensign, 36 by 45 inches, with the Royal cipher in gold on white, surrounded by the Garter and crowned, at the lower centre. No fringe, gold and silver cord and tassels. The Naval Crown is used as a finial.
Miles Li, 25 Jan 2002

The two Colours are not identical. The image by Martin is from a photograph of the Fleet Colour, provided by GW Davidson, RAN. In this case, the tag at the end of the garter has been placed centrally at the base of the garter. On the Establishment Colour it is displaced to the left to be in line with the run of the garter.
David Prothero, 31 Mar 2004

Royal Australian Navy silk flag

by Martin Grieve, 3 May 2004

In a book published by the Australian Navy that I looked through today, I saw a colour party carrying an Australian white ensign-type flag that appeared to be the usual 36 x 45 inch dimensions for colours, with fringe, cord, and tassels, but without the royal cypher. Any idea what that would be?
Joe McMillan, 2 Feb 2002

Under British custom, which Australia has inherited, Queen's Colours are only paraded when there are some very important people present (Royalty, for example). Therefore on other occasions the White Ensign, the National Flag or RAAF Ensign, or 'squarish' forms of them, are used instead. I believe such 'squarish' ensigns are not officially specified - The White Ensign I have seen once in a church had white fringes on it!
Miles Li, 3 May 2004

History of the King's/Queen's Colours for the RAN

King George V

In March 1924 King George V approved a Colour for the Royal Navy, that corresponded to the King's Colours carried by the Military Forces. Admiralty Fleet Order 1057/1924 covering its use was passed to the Royal Australian Navy in May. On 16 June 1924 the First Naval Member, Rear Admiral Percival Henry Hall Thompson, agreed that King George V should be asked to grant a similar Colour to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This was approved in March 1925. Two Colours were ordered, one for the Flagship of th