Souvenir felt naval pennant - The Missions to Seamen

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c. 1939 - 1945

Overview

World War Two era triangular souvenir naval pennant in horizontal orientation made from a navy blue felt base with printed red, white and green detailing.
The graphics and text on the pennant are screen-printed using oil-based paint or thick lacquer ink.
The wide end of the pennant has two fabric ties attached to the edge for hanging. On the left, there is the official Merchant Navy (MN) monogram enclosed in an oval rope border, topped with a naval/maritime crown.
Above this is a flagpole flying a banner reading 'THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN' surrounding their traditional emblem of an angel flying over the waves carrying a scroll.
A depiction of a two toned brown and beige kangaroo is positioned to the right of the banner.
To the right of the kangaroo are the words 'Greetings from Port Kembla' extending along the centre of the tapering pennant. The word 'AUSTRALIA' is printed in red on the far right.
The reverse is plain and there is no maker's tag.

Historical information

The Missions to Seamen is a prominent Christian welfare charity that provides practical, emotional, and spiritual support to merchant crew members worldwide. It was founded in 1856 in the United Kingdom to care for the welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths.
In 1858, the mission adopted its famous Flying Angel logo. The iconic symbol is based on a verse from the biblical Book of Revelation: "Then I saw an angel flying in mid-heaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those on earth..."
The organisation is now known globally as The Mission to Seafarers.

Felt naval pennants were highly popular wartime souvenirs throughout the British Commonwealth—most notably across New Zealand and Australia - during and post WWII.
They were frequently purchased by service members, merchant mariners, or civilians as patriotic keepsakes, homefront memorabilia, or gifts for family members to commemorate maritime service.

This particular pennant relates to The Missions to Seamen or Flying Angel Club situated in Port Kembla - a major industrial seaport located 10 kilometres south of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01108

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Pennants

Souvenirs

Themes

Social History

Transport

War and Conflict