WWII Royal Navy Ensign Flown From the British Landing Ship SS Empire Crossbow, Gold Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944. Printed on wool, measuring approximately 18 ½ x 37-inches overall. 1 ½-inch cotton hoist with hemp halyards at each end and a central brass grommet. The flag has been stitched along the border to a black cloth backing and framed to an overall size of 22 x 41-inches. Accompanying the ensign is an engraved brass plaque which reads in full: ""D" Day Flag / THIS FLAG FLEW FROM THE FIRST BRITISH / LANDING CRAFT (S.S. EMPIRE CROSSBOW) TO REACH / "GOLD BEACH" NORMANDY, ON 6 JUNE 1944. / VERIFICATION BY: / W.G. WILLIAMS, SUB LT. "E" (R.N.N.R.) / 104 TEASDALE AVENUE / BILLINGHAM, DURHAM, ENGLAND / LT. R. A. HERSEY, R. M. / SOUTHERNDOWN / ROTTENGDEAN, SUSSEX, ENGLAND / RECEIVED BY: MAJOR RAY WERNIG / NOVEMBER 1944 PARIS, FRANCE".

The SS Empire Crossbow was constructed in 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corporation in Wilmington, California as the merchant vessel Cape Washington. In 1944 she was transferred to the British Ministry of Transport and renamed Empire Crossbow. She was designated an LSI(L) (Landing Ship Infantry, Large). During Operation Overlord (the D-Day landings), Empire Crossbow, under the command of Captain Alexander Rodger, carried A and B Company, Hampshire Regiment, with C and D company on Empire Arquebus. They were landed on Gold Beach. The Hampshires achieved their objective to capture Le Hamel and Arromanches. Empire Crossbow lost three LCAs (Landing Craft Assault boats) during the landings.

Condition: Excellent. Exhibiting only a few scattered small holes.