Wellington's 1911 flag of friendship from across the world
There are many flags to catch the eye in this picture taken in Wellington on Coronation Day back in 1911, but only one of them is a gift from schoolchildren the other side of the world.
In an international link-up from the far reaches of the British Empire, schoolchildren in Wellington, New Zealand, presented a flag to their counterparts in Wellington, Shropshire.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand was invited to make the presentation, but perhaps understandably, he couldn't make it.
Coronation celebrations were held on Thursday, June 22, and this photo is a postcard which bore the caption "Coronation, Wellington, 1911. Presentation of flag from New Zealand children." Wellington drill hall is on the left, incidentally.
But which of these flags is it? There is a platform in the distance with a hanging flag. However we think that the little group just left of centre might be carrying a large flag.
The picture comes from Mrs Lynne Purcell, of Telford, and is from the collection of her late father Fred Brown, who came from Wellington and was a historian, particularly remembered for his knowledge of local cinemas.
As to what's going on, we can dip in to the programme for the day's celebrations, which was printed in advance in the Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News.
"2 p.m. - The Children will assemble from their several Sunday Schools at the Field in King Street, kindly lent by Messrs. Hughes and Stirling, where Hymns will be sung. Presentation by the Chairman of the Urban District Council of a handsome National Flag, the kindly and patriotic gift of the Children of Wellington, New Zealand, to the Children of Wellington."
There followed at 2.20pm a children's procession through the town, and later a bonfire on The Wrekin, although "children from infected houses are absolutely prohibited from attending" - there had been an outbreak of measles which hit the numbers of children attending the celebrations.
In the absence of New Zealand's Prime Minister, Mr T. Taylor, chairman of Wellington Urban Council, presented the Union Jack to the local schoolchildren on behalf of their counterparts in New Zealand. It was received by Miss Millicent Barbara Clift, "the pretty little daughter of Mr and Mrs J W Clift."
There was to be a sequel, as in 1913 the children of Wellington, Shropshire, returned the compliment - the town's Constitution Hill School sent a Union Jack to Wellington in New Zealand.
One question does arise from all this - where is the flag that was presented to Wellington, Shropshire, now? Does it still exist?
