Old sailor sees red at flag ban

From the archive, first published Saturday 26th Nov 2005.

SEADOG Phil Strong has hit out at plans to ban our ships from flying the famous Red Ensign. Bureaucrats in Brussels want Britain's merchant fleet to fly the European flag instead.

But the 81-year-old, from Broad Hinton, near Wroughton, says penpushers can expect a fight.

The Red Ensign ­ nicknamed the Red Duster ­ has been the official flag of the Merchant Navy since 1864.

If the EU gets its way, ships will be forced to fly the blue European flag with its ring of yellow stars.

Veterans of the high seas, including former naval gunner Mr Strong, say it is an insult and have vowed to fight to save the flag.

Mr Strong, who served on the Russian convoys during the Second World War, said the flag is a symbol of pride.

"I am very angry ­ these people have never been on a ship while it's being bombed and torpedoed," he said.

"I should like to meet these people in Brussels face to face and I would tell them exactly what I think about their plan to scrap the Red Duster.

"The French and Germans seem to be running around telling everyone else what to do and I don't like that one bit.

"They clearly have a lot to learn about history."

Mr Strong, who can recall freezing and miserable conditions on board the ships as they delivered vital supplies for the allied war effort, added: "They should keep their traps shut.

"This flag has been around for yonks ­ there is no real reason to change."

The timing of the proposal ­ after Britain celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar victory over the French, was seen to compound the insult.

EU Ministers say the change would help recognition at sea of vessels meeting the strictest European safety standards.

Today the Red Ensign is flown by nearly 600 UK-registered ships.

During the war the Merchant Navy had a higher ratio of casualties than any of the Armed Forces.

Nearly 32,000 men and women were killed as they shipped ammunition, food and fuel.

Nine merchant seamen died in the Falklands War in 1982 when the Atlantic Conveyor was sunk.

Kevin Shoesmith

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