Customs and Postal Services Ensign 1929–1948

(British Mandate of Palestine 1922–1948)

Last modified: 2023-12-09 by martin karner
Keywords: british mandate of palestine | customs | postal | disc (white): badge | canton: union flag |
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1:2 image by Željko Heimer

See also:

• Customs, Excise and Trade Department Jack 1929–1948
• Postal Service Jack 1929–1948
• British Mandate of Palestine 1922–1948
• United Kingdom: ensigns
• United Kingdom
• Israel

On 25th March 1929 the Post Master General requested a flag that could be used to identify mail carrying vessels. A Blue Ensign defaced 'PALESTINE POSTS' was considered until it was pointed out that since there was now a Palestine Red Ensign it would be more in keeping with Colonial Regulations to have just 'PALESTINE' on a white disc for both the Customs Service and the Postal Department.
The existing Customs ensign was cancelled and Admiralty Letter NL.1284/29 of 2nd May 1929 directed that,

the flag to be flown on Customs Houses and Vessels in the service of the Customs shall be the Blue Ensign defaced by the word PALESTINE in a white circle. Vessels in the service of the Customs shall fly, in addition to the defaced Blue Ensign at the stern, a jack at the bow consisting of a square blue flag with a Union in the upper canton next the staff, defaced in the fly by the word CUSTOMS.

Similar ensigns and jacks were authorised for mail carrying vessels, with the word 'POSTS' replacing 'CUSTOMS' in the fly of the jack.

David Prothero, 4 March 2002

The Customs Ordenance of 1929 probably replaced previous Turkish legislation.
Dov Gutterman, 9 September 2001