The 'Birdwood' Flag

The 'Birdwood' Flag is an important historical artefact for the Australian nation. The funds for the flag's creation and manufacture camee from a public appeal organised by Miss Dora Sparke and the Newcastle Field Force Fund, which she established across New South Wales to raise money, make clothing, and gather gifts and soldiers' comforts. The ensign was presented to General William Riddell Birdwood (1865-1951) the commander of Australian forces on the Western Front during the latter part of WW1. The Birdwood flag served as the Australian ensign, and was the first recorded, and officially sanctioned, presentation of an Australian flag in the field of war. The Australians had previously flown the Union Jack.

The flag had been hung in the St Michaels chapel in Christ Church Cathedral since 1924 after being personally handed back to Miss Sparke by General Birwood. After 60 years it began to disintegrate and fell into many hundreds of pieces which were collected by the former Dean and stored in a cardboard box.
After being discovered in a storage room the remnants of the flag were treated and mounted on a replica of the ensign during an 18 month restoration.

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