Handkerchief

In the centre is a crown over a shield bearing the Union flag. Flags of four allied nations are to the left and four to right. On the left from top to bottom: Japan war ensign since 1889. Italy flag since reunification 1861, bearing the arms of Savoy. Serbia flag used from 1835-8 when the colours were reversed from white over blue over red to red over blue over white, like Russia then and now. Portugal 1830-1911, replaced by present red/green flag 1911. On left in descending order: Russia emperor's standard since 17th century yellow ground with black double-headed eagle deriving from Byzantium, confusingly similar to centuries' old standard of his Great War enemy, the Austrian emperor. Montenegro 1881-1918 Russian national tricolour overlaid with 'H.I' (Cyrillic NI) for Nikola I prince 1860, king 1910, dethroned 1918 aged 77. Belgium tricolour adopted on independence 1831 with colours derived from the golden lion of Brabant with red claws and tongue on black field. France tricolour from 1794, the white Bourbon cockade added to the revolutionary cockade of blue and red, the livery colours of France.

The presence of Portugal, on which Germany declared war 9/2/16, but not of Romania which declared war on Austro-Hungary 27/8/16, suggests the embroidery was completed in the first half of 1916.