The Red Ensign has no a place at Vimy Ridge
A thread at Army.ca. I also think it's true that during WW II the Union Jack flew over our Parliament Buildings. More here.
The Ensign however would be very right for Juno Beach--where it does not appear to fly (though I could be wrong).
Update: Title changed thanks to a very helpful comment by Chris Taylor.
The Ensign however would be very right for Juno Beach--where it does not appear to fly (though I could be wrong).
Update: Title changed thanks to a very helpful comment by Chris Taylor.
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 7:53 p.m.
4 Comments:
With all due respect Mark, I believe your lengthy missive at Army.ca is mistaken.
There is no question about official government policy at the time. I do not dispute the historical record of government use, but rather the imputation that flying it at the Vimy memorial would be inappropriate.
The ensign appeared on Great War recruiting posters (and political campaign posters) of the time.
The Imperial War Museum thought way back in 1918 that a Red Ensign was appropriate to denote Canadian achievements at Vimy Ridge.
And, as CanWest News / Ottawa Citizen (2nd para of linked article) mentioned a few days ago, the entire Vimy memorial was draped in a Canadian red ensign at the time of its unveiling in 1936.
Clearly the men who fought there thought it had a clear association with Canada, even if the official flag at that date was the Royal Union.
Good points Chris: But, to be historically accurate, it would have to be the Ensign used at the time with the coats of arms of the nine provinces.
The best solution I think would be to fly all three flags, the Maple Leaf in front with the Jack and Ensign behind a bit and equistdistant from the current flag.
Thanks very much for the comment--I will alter the title of the post.
Mark
Ottawa
It'll be interesting to see what flavour of ensign ends up flying over Vimy on the anniversary. The PM appears to favour it and even goes so far as to note that "the Red Ensign of 1917 will fly over Vimy". Good luck to the protocol meisters on figuring out which unofficial variant that was, right? =)
The 9-shield ensign (with laurels) appears on the recruiting poster, but the Imperial War Museum displays a 4-shield ensign (sans laurels).
Presumably it's going to be one of those two, I just hope they don't chintz out and substitute the later 1922 or 1957 patterns.
I noticed with deep regret when I visited my home town of Winnipeg after 5 years that the Canadian red ensign that once flew alongside the current flag and the provincial flag at the cenotaph has now been replaced by another Manitoban flag. I suppose the powers-that-be feel that, what the hell, it's so much easier to replace the national flag under which so many died fighting aggression in two world wars and Korea with a cheaper and similar-looking provincial one that few would notice as they hurried by rather than go through the inconvenience of having to go out and find the appropriate flag. This view that convenience must triumph over any outdated sense of duty and respect is further strengthened in my mind by the decision to not even bother to continue flying the RCAF flag at the nearby memorial. Lest we forget, indeed.
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