ENSIGN

formerly, in the British army, the officer who carried the flag or colours of an infantry regiment; for this title, second lieutenant has been substituted since 1871. In naval language the ensign is the flag over the poop or stern ‘which distinguishes the ships of different nations. In the Royal Navy of Britain it is a flag with a white field divided into quarters by the red cro of St. George, and having the union (or Union Jack, as it is commonly called) in the upper corner next the staff. A similar ensign with a red field is flown by the merchant service.