The flag was in fair condition, complete but heavily soiled with dark surface soiling. Very greasy and slightly sticky to the touch. Small areas of darning at the centre top. Small area of darning at the centre top and both sides of the flag. Small brown stain and a larger lighter brown stain at the midpoint on the viewing left (VL). Overall colour of the flag is grey with brighter lines running horizontally down the piece. Historic repairs present.
The flag was surface clean with low powered vacuum suction to remove surface soiling.
The fibres were tested for colourfastness and proved to be fast, therefore wet cleaning was undertaken to remove ingrained soiling, rep-hydrate the fibres, reduce the staining and enable the fibres to be realigned.
Prior to wet cleaning the previous repairs were removed, as these were unsightly and pulling at the fibres of the flag.
The flag was wet cleaned using 0.3% Dehypon no-ionic detergent + 0.05% Sodium Carboxymethyl cellulose in softened water. It was given one wash-bath and gently sponged to lift soiling before being rinsed to remove detergent residue.
It was laid out face up, held with weights and entomological pins and drying was accelerated by drying in a flow of warm air.
The areas of loss and loose fibres from previous repairs were supported with a lightweight adhesive coated crepeline patch. This was chosen, as using a fabric of heavier weight, resulted in a shadow of the patch being visible, due to the fineness of the wool. Laid couching using fine polyester thread, was worked over the areas of loss, working into strong areas, and securing the fibres in place.
The resulting areas are fully supported, and the loose fibres secure with a minimal visual impact. A padded board using two sheets of correx, padded with wadding, covered with calico and lined with a cream cotton fabric, was made up, leaving a 5cm handling edge around all four sides.
The flag was secured onto the padded board using fine polyester thread. Grid lines were worked down the brighter white strips, to ensure the flag had good contact with the board and to distribute the weight.
Stitching was worked along the pole sleeve both at the lower edge and along the outside edge. The edges of the flag were stitched using the same fine polyester thread and long and short stitch, holding the edges flat to the surface of the board.