Charity flags

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

36535

Title

Charity flags sold to raise funds for World War 1 causes

Description

Two paper flags mounted on metal pins. Printed in colour. From left: Rectangular flag featuring an image of a woman in uniform and the words 'Edinburgh Women's Emergency Corps'; rectangular flag printed with the words 'Sphagnum Moss War Dressings' and an abstracted image of sphagnum moss.

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.

Sphagnum moss was harvested for use in wound dressings in the field due to its absorbency and antibacterial properties.

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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

Landscape > Land > Battlefields

People > Adults > Women

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Places > Edinburgh areas