The First Union Flag
The First Union Flag, which came into being in England in the year 1606, is the flag which symbolizes the heritage of the United Empire Loyalists. Created at the command of James 1 of England (formerly James VI of Scotland), it symbolized the unity of those two countries under his rule. The flag was composed of the Cross of St. George, patron saint of England (a red cross on a white background), and Cross of St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland (a diagonal white cross on a blue background). By 1707, the flag, then known as the Union Jack, was accepted without question as the flag of the British Empire.

This flag was flown on the ships of such explorers as Henry Hudson and James Cook. It flew from the ramparts of the Hudson's Bay Company trading posts and the British military forts all over the world. The forces of Gen. James Wolfe and Col. George Washington marched behind this flag during the Seven Years War in America and it replaced the French "fleur-de-lis" on the fortifications of Louisburg and the Upper Town of Quebec when those strongholds fell to the British in 1758 and 1759, respectively. It flew from the masts of the ships, which brought the despised tea belonging to the East India Company to Boston in 1773.

When the Continental Congress of the Thirteen Colonies adopted the "Stars and Stripes" in 1777, forces loyal to the British government continued to display the Union Jack. Indeed, the Union Jack still flies at Colonial historic sites in the United States. When the United Empire Loyalists left the United States for their new homes in British North America, they brought their flag with them. Col. John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, one of the colonies created because of the arrival of the Loyalists in British North America, saluted the Union Jack when he opened the first parliament at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in 1792.

The St. Andrew Flag

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make the First Union Flag
 
The Royal Union Jack became the official Flag of Great Britain in 1801 when the cross of St. Patrick of Ireland (a diagonal red cross on a white field) was incorporated in the first Union Flag. The word "Jack" comes from the same roots as Jacket and refers to the coat which warriors and knights wore for protection as early as the Crusades. The cross of the patron saint of each warrior was sewn on his surcoat and served as identification.

In 1892, The Canadian Red Ensign, a red flag with the Union Jack in the upper corner next to the staff and the Canadian Coat-of-Arms to the right became the official flag of Canadian ships. The ensign, along with the Union Jack, was accepted as Canada's flags until 1965 when the Canadian Parliament approved a distinctive National Flag.
The Union Jack is flown in Canada today as the national flag of the United Kingdom and as a symbol of Canada's membership in the Commonwealth and allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Canada. It is flown during Royal visits, for example, and is flown, along with Canada's National Flag, on such occasions as the official observance of Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday (Victoria Day, the Monday preceding May 24).

The first British flag to fly over the Province of Ontario was the First Union Flag, however. To commemorate the contribution of the United Empire Loyalists to the development of Ontario, the First Union Flag was raised over the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen's Park on June 18,1998 for the first time since 1801.

Originally the symbol of the union of two peoples, today the Union Flag represents the unity of the British Empire for which the Loyalists stood. In addition, it reminds us of the tradition of peace, order and good government, which the Loyalists upheld and brought with them to their new homes.
   
In honour of the Queen Mother's Birthday!
On August 6, 2000, our congregation celebrated the Queen Mother's 100th Birthday. The Grand River Branch of The United Empire Loyalists' Association generously donated a First Union flag as part of the celebration. The flags hung from the tower for the day and are now at the front of the sanctuary.

To learn more about the United Empire Loyalist Association, visit them at their website .

 

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