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Colonial Flags of Sierra Leone

Last modified: 2011-06-11 by rob raeside
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Colonial Flags of Sierra Leone

1889-1914 flag

by Martin Grieve

Based on an illustration in "Flags of Maritime Nations", 1914

Used 1889-1914
David Prothero, 23 September 2000

The none-too imaginative British had the same badge for all their minor West African possessions. This one is for Sierra Leone. The Gambia differs only by having the initial "G." instead of "S.L.", and the Gold Coast (now Ghana) had "G.C."
Josh Fruhlinger, 13 February 1998


They were not that unimaginative! Although what you say is true of Gambia and Gold Coast, Sierra Leone adopted its own coat of arms in 1914. A second coat of arms (still used) was adopted in 1960: a gold lion passant on a green field; a white chief dancetty (zig-zagged) upon which are three torches. At the base two blue wavy lines on white symbolizing the sea.

With the addition of a crown surmounded 'E' on a blue disc surrounded by a chaplet of gold roses, the arms formed the Royal flag of Sierra Leone until the country became a republic in 1971.

Stuart Notholt, 14 February 1996

Detail of the Badge

by Martin Grieve

Governor's Flag

by Martin Grieve


1916-1961 blue ensign

by Martin Grieve, 25 April 2009

According to Capt. EMC Barraclough in "Flags of the world), 1965 on page 91:
"The badge on the Union Flag and Blue Ensign which this flag supersedes comprised a Union Flag as it was before 1801. The lower part was divided into halves: a liberated slave seated on the seashore with a ship, reputed to be H.M. brig "Miro", in the offing; and a palm-tree on a golden ground. Beneath was a motto "AUSPICE BRITTANIA LIBER" ("Free under Britain's protection")"
It is somewhat of a mystery as to what seat the native is sitting upon.
Martin Grieve, 25 April 2009

Detail of the Badge

image by Martin Grieve, 25 April 2009


Governor's flag 1916-1961

image by Martin Grieve, 26 April 2009

A Union Jack with the national badge centred.