Join us on our journey as we follow Shirley’s Flag from D-Day through to
VE Day!
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.
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.
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Flag It Up!
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Grenadier DayOn 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.
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.
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Flag Building With The Connaught Cadet ChallengeSeekers 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. |
Where did the flag go?
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Our thanks to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for enabling us to bring this story to life in the form of exciting trail events and workshops.
Our thanks to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for enabling us to bring this story to life in the form of exciting trail events and workshops.
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