The only surviving union jack from the Battle of Trafalgar could fetch £15,000 at auction after it was found in a drawer, auctioneers say.
The flag was flown from one of Nelson's warships, HMS Spartiate, in the naval battle off the Spanish coast in 1805.
It was presented by the 540-strong crew to Fife-born Lieutenant James Clephan after the conflict, a high honour bestowed upon an officer by his men.
Search Commissioned Sea Offices of the Royal Navy 1660-1815 on Familyrelatives.com where the entry for James Clepham can be found
The flag is being sold by one of his descendants living in Australia.
Clephan, who later went on to command his own ship, was one of the few men to have risen through the ranks and was greatly admired by his crew.
The flag, measuring 7ft 4in x 11ft 7in, is made of 31 panels sewn together by the crew on board the ship.
It bears a number of "battle scars" - holes caused by shot and shell splinter damage sustained during the conflict.
The union jack will go under the hammer later this month after being put up for sale by one of Clephan's descendants. Read more>>
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