The COMMANDO Australian Red Ensign Flag Patch features the historic red version of Australia's flag, distinguished by its red background and familiar combination of the Union Jack, Commonwealth Star and Southern Cross. Measuring 75 x 50 mm, this compact rectangular patch reproduces the traditional design in red, white and blue embroidery, finished with a red border.

The Australian Red Ensign has an important place in the country's maritime and national history. Its origins date back to 1901, when the newly established Commonwealth Government held a competition to select designs for Australia's flags. Two versions of the winning design were produced: a blue ensign for official purposes and a red ensign intended for merchant shipping. The red version retained the same stars and Union Jack as the blue flag, with the background changed to red.

The Red Ensign was approved alongside the blue design in the early years of Federation and became closely associated with Australian merchant vessels. During the first half of the twentieth century, it was also widely used on land, and Australians served under it during both World Wars. Its status was clarified by the Flags Act 1953, which established the blue ensign as Australia's National Flag and recognised the Red Ensign as the flag for Australian-registered merchant ships. The Shipping Registration Act 1981 subsequently confirmed its official maritime role.

Today, the Australian Red Ensign remains an important symbol of Australia's merchant shipping heritage and is particularly associated with the service and contribution of the Australian Merchant Navy.

Features

• Traditional Australian Red Ensign design
• Red background with Union Jack in the upper-left corner
• White Commonwealth Star beneath the Union Jack
• Five stars representing the Southern Cross
• Embroidered flag details
• Red embroidered outer border
• Compact rectangular format
• Suitable for Australian flag collections and maritime memorabilia

Specifications

Brand: COMMANDO
Product Code: BD0466
Design: Australian Red Ensign
Construction: Embroidered patch
Dimensions: 75 x 50 mm

The COMMANDO Australian Red Ensign Flag Patch is a distinctive piece of Australian maritime memorabilia, recognising a flag with more than a century of history and its enduring connection to the nation's merchant shipping tradition.