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British South Africa Company

Description of the flags

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United Kingdom

Description of the flag

The flag of the British South Africa Company (BSAC) was first hoisted in the Matabele capital of Bulawayo on 4 November 1893 after the Company's forces had driven the native Matabele from the town. The flag consisted of a Union Jack emblazoned with the BSAC badge in the centre. The badge comprised a yellow lion holding an elephant's tusk and standing on a yellow and red wreath under which were the letters B.S.A.C. in black. The badge was derived from the Arms of the Company.

The company flag hoisted at the occupation of Bulawayo and presumably used elsewhere in the area under company jurisdiction was not described in the Company Charter. The lack of such a description probably accounts for the discrepancies in the different versions of the company flag which exist. The most important anomaly relates to the red ring which surrounds the crest in some cases and is absent in others. (The flag which I have in my possession does have the red ring while I have seen other examples in museums in Zambia and Zimbabwe without a ring!).

The BSAC was also entitled to use two other flags. These were the British Blue and red ensigns with the Company crest in the fly. In the Red Ensign version the crest is depicted above the black initials of the Company in the centre of a white disk (or roundel) while in the Blue Ensign variant the disk is omitted and the lettering is in yellow (not black) and imprinted directly on the flag. Ensigns are primarily intended for use as maritime flags and, although the Company's possessions never included a ocastline, it was empowered by its Charter to own and operate ships. There is no evidence to suggest that the BSAC ever owned any vessels and as such it is doubtful whether these ensigns were ever used although they are found on flag charts from that period.

The Company Administrator, serving as the Crown's representative in terms of the Charter, was also entitled to a distinctive flag for his personal use in common with British governors in other parts of the world. This would have had the Company crest in the centre of a Union Jack within a green laurel garland. Again, it is doubtful whether such a flag actually existed as there is no record of it being actually used nor are there any on display in local museums.

The flag was used until 30 September 1923 in what became Southern Rhodesia and until 31 March 1924 in Northern Rhodesia. Thereafter it remained the "house" flag of the Company until 1968 when the BSAC was amalgamated with the Anglo American Company. I have the last flag that flew at the Company's head office in Salisbury (now Harare) in my collection.

Bruce Berry, 1996-MAY-23