Union Flag

A British Union Flag (post-1801 pattern). It is made of hand-sewn wool bunting. There is a canvas panel with a painted inscription sewn to the first canton: 'ALBION'S UNION JACK NAVAL BRIGADE CRIMEA Presented to W.H. Cruys Chief Boatswain's Mate On return to the Albion in the Bosphorus off Sultan's valley. Presented and cheered by all.' A rope and toggle are attached.

HMS 'Albion' 1842, 90 guns, took part in the bombardment of the Russian naval base at Sebastopol (Sevastopol, Ukraine) and a naval brigade, including men from this ship, served on shore during the 11-month siege of the city in 1854-55.

William H Cruys joined the Royal Navy in 1839 at the age of 13, as a Boy 2nd Class on HMS Pique. He joined HMS Albion in 1851 as an Able Seaman and was made Chief Boatswain's Mate in July 1855. His career continued to advance and he was named Acting Boatswain on HMS Royal William in December 1855 and Chief Boatswain on HMS Royal Adelaide in 1872, before retiring in 1881. Unusually, William served on HMS Albion at the same time as his father, who was also called William Cruys. His father had joined the ship as Master at Arms in 1849 and was invalided out of the navy in May 1854 due to rheumatism, a few months before the siege.