flag

human history

Other Name
Multi-national Allies flag (Gt Britain, France, Russia, Belgium), WW1 (descriptive name)
8/2250 Gerald Innes Atkinson, Otago Infantry Battalion, NZEF (associated name)
Description
Multi national flag taken in [to] Samoa in 1914 by Innes Atkinson, WW1.
four flags make up one flag with the Union Jack in the top left corner, the French flag in the top right corner, the bottom right corner is the Belgian flag and the bottom left corner is the Russian Imperial tricolour(since 1896); the flag quarters are separated by a large cross of St George.
probably made from bunting; four nationalities depicted in one flag (clockwise): Britain, France, Belgium & Russian Empire.
Place
[Samoa]/Pacific
Associated Place
Samoa/Pacific
Accession Number
1980.5
Accession Date
1980
Other Id
F129 (flag)
Department
History
War History

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flag, 1980.5, F129

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Credit Line
Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, F129
Primary Maker
unknown (Flag maker)
Place
[Samoa]/Pacific
Date
[1914]
Associated Notes
The original collection note that this is a "Multi national flag taken in Samoa in 1914 by Innes Atkinson, later killed on Gallipoli," is unlikely to be true. The flag represents neutral Belgium which was invaded by Germany in August 1914 plus three Allied forces at the beginning of WW1. Thus it's more likely to have been taken to Samoa by the Samoa Advance Party, as a demonstration of patriotism and attachment to the allied cause.
It was gifted to the museum by a relative of 8/2250 Gerald Innes Atkinson nearly 50 years after his death.Innes was killed at Chunuk Bair on 8 August 1915.
Associated Event
WW1; 1914-1918
Capture of Samoa, WW1; Aug 1914; Samoa/Pacific
Associated Person
Samoa Advance Party, WW1
Pte Gerald Innes Atkinson
1NZEF
Allied Forces, WW1
Associated Place
Samoa/Pacific
Associated Date
1914
Period
World War 1, 1914-18/Wars
Media
cloth
Measurement Description
970mm x 1740mm (980mm x 1800 mm)
Measurement Reading
1790mm
965mm
Subject Category
occupation/wars
wars of empire/wars
imperialism/British Empire
Classification
flag, ensign
flag

Flag, Ensign
Flag, Maritime
Flag
Organisational Objects
Ceremonial Artifacts
08 Communication Artifacts
Last Update
15 May 2023

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