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• FOLLOW SHIRLEY'S FLAG •

SHIRLEY'S FLAG... the story so far..

Telling the story of a union flag and it's journey through D-Day to VE Day

Join us on our journey as we follow Shirley’s Flag from D-Day through to
​VE Day!

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Image credit: The D-Day Story, Portsmouth

Explore and discover the story of a Union Flag, which left our shores in 1944, just after D-Day.

Shirley's Flag was given to troopers of the Grenadier Guards, by the Whittle family including young Shirley, just before they embarked for Normandy. The Whittle's befriended the tank crew outside their house in Bedhampton, Hampshire. The original flag (and a replacement) travelled to near Bremen, Germany by VE Day - 8th May 1945.


Shirley Whittle

Shirley Whittle was 4 years old when she became friends with the troopers from the Grenadier Guards. During WW2 the Guards where lined up in their tanks along Hulbert Road, Bedhampton. Waiting to go off to D-day. 
The Whittle family and the Guards became friends and exchanged letters throughout the war. Young Shirley presented them with a Union Flag Before the Guards set off on their journey. The Guards placed it on the front of their tank and off they went. 

Flag It Up!
Idea's Research & Testing at the D-Day Story, Portsmouth

Seekers ran a workshop at the D-Day Story. Families listened to Shirley's Story and looked at some of the letters sent home from Lance Sergeant 'Jack' Sorenson to Shirley's family. The group came up with some great ideas on how to tell the story of the flags journey in the form of a trail.

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Grenadier Day

On Saturday 14th July 2019 Seekers met with a whole bunch of inspirational people from the Grenadier Guards Association.
Grenadier Day is held annually. 

Off we go with Shirley's Flag!

On Saturday 14th September 2019 Seekers were honoured to be part of 'Pompey Remembers' a commemorative event hosted Pompey Pals Charity in the Guildhall Square, Portsmouth.
It was great to finally meet face to face with our friends from the Grenadier Guards after weeks of exchanging emails and messages via Whats App. The Guards spent the day helping out with our 'Follow Shirley's Flag Trail' in Victoria Park, located just next door to the event.
We were delighted to have special guest Shirley Whittle and family in attendance to talk to people about the story of the flag and to hand out flags to children who completed the trail. 

Flag Building With The Connaught Cadet Challenge

Seekers were delighted to be invited along to the Connaught Cadet Challenge on Whale Island.
​The Connaught Cadet Challenge took place across HMS Excellent and included an overnight stay for Cadets upon HMS Bristol.
Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force, Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Corps had to complete a number of fun team challenges, testing their teamwork and communication skills.
Unfortunately, the Volunteer Police Cadets were unable to join in the fun this year, but with some quick thinking, Tim Collins literally pulled it out the bag and created a superb flag building challenge.
VIP guest Commander Eleanor Stack (Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan, who featured in Channel 5's 'Warship Life at Sea') helped judge the final challenge.

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​Seekers are delighted to be awarded a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund to bring this story to life in the form of exciting trail events and workshops. 

Support us!

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Seekers Mission

​Seekers mission is to engage, motivate and inspire young people to be confident in their creativity.

Seekers vision is to create engaging learning environments and unique experiences which spark creative thinking and doing to bring about positive social change.
​

Contact Us

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  • Seekers
  • Explore Our Programme
    • Unlock The Door To Your Imagination >
      • Solent Sky Services
      • Seekers Program Guide
      • Seekers >
        • Seeker Conference
        • Who are our Seekers? >
          • Mission, Vision & Values
  • Discover Our Trails
    • Seekers Conference Trail
    • Portsmouth Millennium Trail
    • Spice Island Trail >
      • Spice Island Trail Making Blog
    • Gosport Waterfront Trail
    • Seekers Sail Trail
    • Hilsea Lido Trail
    • Shirley’s Flag Trail >
      • Shirley’s Flag Story
      • 3. Gosport
    • Communities Can Trail >
      • Communities Can, Trail Blog
    • My Dog Sighs Trail
  • Create Your Future
    • Volunteer
    • Theory of Change
    • Doodle Your Dreams
  • Contact