A Red Ensign, hand-sewn and made of wool bunting with a linen hoist and a rope for hoisting. It belonged to Captain Sir Robert Oliver who died in 1848.

The Red Ensign was worn by British merchant vessels from the early part of the 17th century. At this time the Cross of St George was placed in the canton. After the Act of Union in 1707 this was replaced by the Union Flag. This is the modern version introduced in 1801 with St Patrick's saltire in the Union Flag. Before the squadronal system was abandoned in 1864, the Red Ensign was also used by naval ships commanded by a flag officer of the red squadron, or detached from a squadron because engaged in an activity such as surveying or exploration.

Sir Robert Oliver entered the Royal Navy on 23 May 1800. He was commissioned Lieutenant on 22 February 1810, and was promoted to Commander on 29 October 1827. He became a Captain on 28 August 1834 and became Superintendant of the Indian Navy in 1837, a post he held until his death on 5 August 1848. The Indian Navy was the naval arm of the Honourable East India Company. It provided steamers that played a crucial role in naval operations during the First China War as they were able to penetrate the interior of China along its rivers.