NELSON Museum has raised £2,000 to conserve a First World War flag with the help of Monmouthshire residents.

In the summer of 2014 the campaign was launched seeking funding to repair the splits and cracks in the flag’s silk.

The flag was made to commemorate the mid-shipman Gervase Bruce from Broadstairs, Kent who was just 15 years old when he was killed on HMS Monmouth when it was lost at the Battle of Coronel.

A total of 1,600 British officers and men died after the ship was sunk off the coast of central Chile on the 1st November 1914.

The flag was originally created to be hung in Bruce’s school chapel. It was subsequently moved to Scotland then gifted to the Nelson Museum.

After two years of fundraising, the flag is now in the conservation process and is being restored by Textile Conservation Limited, Bristol.

Work is ongoing to repair splits and cracks in the silk. It will then be re-mounted and re-framed.

Joanne Terry, Nelson Museum’s fundraising officer, said: “The flag represents a loss of HMS Monmouth and the family and friends of those who died.

“The money was raised from local individuals and organisations in Monmouthshire and the museum would like to thank all those who donated to the fundraising campaign.

“Relatives of Gervase have been in touch with the museum to say thank you for keeping the flag.”

The flag is anticipated to return to the museum in May where people will be invited to come and view it.

Although it won’t be on permanent display because of its age, it is hoped the flag will be used for an HMS commemoration event in St Mary’s Priory, Monmouth in November. It will also be taken to various schools to teach children about the Battle of Coronel.