Charity flags

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

36533

Title

Charity flags sold to raise funds for World War 1 causes

Description

Three paper flags mounted on metal pins. Printed in colour. From left: Rectangular flag featuring a British flag and the words 'Leith St Sailors' Hostel Edinburgh'; shield-shaped flag with insignia of the Royal Scots; rectangular flag with the words 'Hospitality to Sailors & Soldiers/ At/ Waverley Station/ Edinburgh/ May 5th 1917'.

Date

1916

Type

Paper

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

HH1902/1-90/59

Paper charity flags on pins were distributed throughout the War in return for donations to local and national charities. They were issued on the street by volunteer collectors. Metal or cloth flags were sometimes issued, as were artificial flowers. The flags were generally worn on coat lapels, often many at a time.

Large numbers of servicemen arrived in Edinburgh on leave during the War, many of them not knowing the City. A refreshment room was established for them at Waverley Station. Volunteers would meet the men from their trains and lead them to the refreshment room for teas and other refreshments before they moved on.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Badges

Communication > Written > Emblems

Communication > Written > Flags

Events > Wars > War reliefs

Events > Wars > World wars

People > Military activities > Sailors

People > Military activities > Soldiers

People > Politics and government > Lord Provosts

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Waverley Station