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Union Jack Handkerchief
This small cotton handkerchief with a Union Jack printed on one side was part of a ‘housewife’ kit used during WW2.
It was issued to the donor while she was on active service in the Royal Scots Regiment and the War Office during the Second World War.
Jess has drawn the Union Jack flag on the handkerchief, colouring it with red, white and blue. She has made a clever link to the present day by drawing a rainbow on the opposite side of the page, a picture displayed in many homes during the Coronavirus lockdown.
Jess has also written a poem about the flag which uses the first letters of the words ‘Union Jack.
“Union jack is the United Kingdom flag.
Nothing is better than the Union Jack.
Is there?
On VE day the union jack is everywhere.
No one misses it.
Jack is a name but is also the end name of this flag.
Any different flag would not look like this.
Can you think of any?
King George VI was king at that time.”
Matylda has drawn a Union Jack flag based on the design of the handkerchief, using blue pencil and red pen.
She has written an interesting interpretation of the original object, which explains how it was used but also what important history it represents, which we should remember.
“Union Jack:
The Union Jack handkerchief was used by housewives. I think it represents that Britain won the war and want people to remember that day.
Britain has won the war!
People need to remember VE Day, May 8th 1945.”
Gus has drawn an interpretation of the Union Jack handkerchief and coloured it in red, white and blue.
He has cleverly linked this to the 75th anniversary of V.E Day by drawing the VE Day 75 logo in bold black letters over the top of the flag.
Arina has drawn a fantastic replica of the handkerchief’s Union Jack flag, and coloured it using red, white and blue pencils.
She has written “Union Jack” over the top of it, alternating red and blue colours for each letter.
Erin has used the design on the handkerchief to draw a copy of it. She has coloured this in red, white and blue and has linked the image to the celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of V.E day.
Austin has painted a Union Jack in red, white and blue in the middle of the page.
He has written the following message explaining what V.E Day means and how we remember it today.
“VE Day is a special day because of the second world war. It ended about six years. On the day we make Union Jack flags.
We think of the soldiers who have died and have a happy day. Victory in Europe!
Back when it ended people celebrated in the streets. They were driving cars and shouting out the windows.
On VE Day we have red, white and blue. We normally have street parties because it ended.”
Heidi has drawn a large picture of the Union Jack like the one on the handkerchief, and has coloured it in red, white and blue.
She has written a short piece underneath this which gives a sense of what it might have been like during the war:
“World War 2 is much more than you.
BE CAREFUL, A BOMB!
But what about soldier Tom?”
Blaise has drawn a replica of the Union Jack handkerchief, and has coloured it carefully using red, white and blue pen.
She has written a museum-style caption for the original object, describing its appearance and original use.
“This was a small, cotton hand-kerchief with a Union Jack printed on one side. Part of a housewife kit used during the Second World War.”
Imogen has interpreted the handkerchief by drawing a detailed image of four people, all holding their own handkerchiefs with different coloured flags.
The people all look happy and are celebrating VE Day.
Chimdalu has drawn the Union Jack handkerchief design and has also written a piece about the the Union Jack flag and its meaning, to give a historical background to the object.
“The Union flag is made from 4 different countries. They’re England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The flag is a symbol of unity. During the World War 2, the women use the union handkerchief in the kitchen, to remind them of the fallen heroes in the war and to also show their support, solidarity. The women also pray for them.”
Giselle has drawn and coloured the Union Jack flag from the handkerchief using paint.
She has written a beautiful poem underneath, which makes some important points about the war and what V.E Day was like.
“Understand many people died in the war.
Now we celebrate VE Day.
I am happy England won the war.
On VE Day people have tea parties.
Nearly all the soldiers got hurt.
Jam was probably served on VE Day.
And we had street parties.
Could your family come back alive?
Know that they fought hard for us.”
Ellis has drawn a lovely picture of the Union Jack Handkerchief and coloured it in pencil using red, white and blue.
He has written a short description above this about what the Union Jack flag is and means.
“The Union Jack is our British flag.”
Adam has created a brilliant image based on the Union Jack handkerchief. He has drawn and coloured three bunting flags with the Union Jack design and colours of red, white and blue, and has linked 1945 and the present day by noting their shared commemoration of VE Day.
“1945, 8th May VE, 2020
Adam: Year 2.”
Jacob has used the design on the handkerchief to draw his own brilliant Union Jack flag, and has coloured it neatly using red, white and blue coloured pen.
He has linked the flag to remembrance of fallen soldiers by drawing four red poppies and adding one to each corner of the flag.
