The George Cross - Flag Etiquette

[KevB]

I'll be flying the flag of St George from my boat this weekend as my own mark of respect for those who unselfishly put their lives on the line so I could lead the life I do today. I know there were many other nationalities involved so my George Cross will be for them too.
How does that stand as far as flag etiquette is concerned?

 

[AlexL]

I'm not sure about the etiquette, but I notice that a few clubs are going to Normandy this weekend and the boats will be fully dressed where possible.

On the subject of respect, in todays political climate it has become very fashionable for english and europeans to be american haters, but I for one would like to see some respect, and perhaps a few stars and stripes as well as the george cross flying this sunday to remember the horror that was the Normandy beaches - especially the unimaginable carnage on omaha beach 60 years ago. Perhaps we should all stop moaning about fuel tax, light dues and Mr Blair and think about what the young men of the American Airbourne, Army Rangers, Britsh Army, Navy et al were asked to do that morning in 1944.
I shall be out sailing on Sunday enjoying the freedom given to me and thankful of the sacrifice of all involved, regardless of nationality and how 2004 politics may view that nation.

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[Sybarite]

I think you have answered your own question. As you say it is YOUR mark of respect - and really, what else matters?

John

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[jimi]

Personally I would be offended as I consider the Union Jack to be the the flag of our nation.. and the flag that we have fought under in all recent conflicts, I tend to associate the St Georges Cross with football hooligans

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[Metabarca]

May I add, à propos of nothing, that it really p**ses me off in Italy on 25 April every year when they celebrate liberation day that no mention is ever made of all the poor sods who died to liberate Italy. One would imagine Italy was liberated by Italian partisans (ha ha) rather than by all the Americans, British and Commonwealth troops (of which my father was one). Not to denigrate the bravery of the (few) partisans, but really: it would be nice,say, if they were to invite the various ambassadors to the official dos, don't you think? Italians who only watch the box (most) are being given a very distorted picture of history.

rant over

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[KevB]

But I'm already flying that on my ensign. Not to fly the Flag of St George because of football hooligans would be a BIGGER insult.



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[Bejasus]

I think what jimi really means that those that died in the conflict, or indeed most of the conflicts we have been involved in over the last 300 years, from these islands were British and not just English and as such, never went to war under the Cross of St. George or St. Andrew or whatever, but rather as one nation under the Union Flag.

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[jimi]

Exactly! Well said.

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[cameronke]

Hear Hear!

Regards
Cameron

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[Twister_Ken]

Elections coming

Despite being as English as the White Cliffs of Dover, I'm with Jimi the Jock on this one. And in addition to the Union Jack, I'd be flying the Stars and Stripes, the Maple Leaf, the Tricolour, the Polish Flag, the Anzac flags and anything else I could get my hands on which represented the non-Axis side of the 1944 equation. There were more nationalities on those beaches than we could ever guess.

BTW, with an election due a few days after D-Day60, the X of St George might be seen by some as a BNP statement.

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[squidge]

I don't follow football but i do support England in any sporting ,social or historic event with a proud display of the George Cross. As do my Scotts and Welsh friendsfly there own for there own part of these islands.
It is true that our national flag has been tarnished by a few extremists and some of those who now look upon it only see the stain and not the flag . This will change when more people start using it for patriotism.
Fly yours with pride , the more that do the cleaner it gets.

PS ill fly mine right along with my union jack (flag)for the d day memorials.
pps its funny that st George was not English!



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<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by squidge on 03/06/2004 11:57 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Cornishman]

Don't you mean the Union Flag? The Union Jack may only be flown from the jackstaff from one of Her Majesty's ships.

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[jimi]

I am sad to see these sentiments expressed. Whilst we should be proud of our national heritage as far as I'm concerned any patriotism should be associated with the UK and not bits of it, I fear we have headed down a one way street which will lead to divisiveness and conflict .. sad day for me and those of the "one nation" camp!

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[squidge]

Please see amended version.
Do you meant to tell me that you don't fly the white and blue, no how ,never no way ?/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[cliff]

Hear hear, IF someone wants to fly their country's flag then fair enough BUT below the Union Flag or on the opposite cross tree (can't remember which should be which though - port side for the "Union" and starboard for individuals, home country or the otherway round?

Actually I would be very dissapointed to see any english, welsh, scottish or Ulster flags flown even below the Union flag - for one day at least can we not remember the fallen and what they died for - The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - United being the operative word. By all means let's have the Tri-Colour, Polish, American, Australian, Nepalese etc flags but do we the "boaty fraternity" have to try to divide the UK?

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[tome]

Re: Elections coming

And the Norwegian flag, in memory of the daft sods who followed Lord Lovat and his fearless piper Bill Millin up Sword beach. Did you know that Bill Millin played himself in the film 'The Longest Day'?

Not to mention the Danes, Free Poles and many other nations. Brave men, every one.

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[cliff]

As I can't be there in person

At least I'll be there in thought

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[Bejasus]

Re: Elections coming

Perhaps then, more appropriate to dress the boat, fore & aft, in as many different partaking nationality pennants as possible, including UK, as well as proudly displaying the Red Duster which itself is a huge tribute to our own merchant marine which played such a huge part throughout the war.

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[cliff]

Re: Elections coming

What about adding

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[tome]

Re: Elections coming

With you on this, especially the contribution of the ordinary brave men of the merchant marine. Whilst sailing this weekend we discussed two such men we knew who between them had been torpedoed no less than 5 times!

Which is why I'm proud to wear the red duster and regard it as superior to any defaced or coloured version.

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