Monmouth's Nelson Museum needs £2,000 to conserve an important piece of First World War history. A flag commemorating the sinking of HMS Monmouth in 1914 was gifted to the museum but has been kept in the archives as it is too fragile to be put on public display. The museum's records reveal that the flag was produced as a memorial to Midshipman C or G R Bruce of Stow House School, Broadstairs, West Lothian and originally hung in the Chapel there. Midshipman Bruce was lost during the sinking of HMS Monmouth at the Battle of Coronel on 1st November 1914. With the centenary of the sinking drawing near, the museum team is keen to share the item with the people of Monmouth. Senior custodian Sue Miles said: "If we can raise enough funds to have it conserved, it can be displayed properly in the museum and we will be able to let the flag be used at other commemorative events in the town over the next four years, which would be wonderful." The museum plan to use the flag in its own commemorations for HMS Monmouth and are hoping to work with members of the community to undertake further research about the flag and sailors lost in the sinking. The flag, which measures about 1 metre by 1.3 metres, is made of woven silk and embroidered with silk and metal wrapped threads. The embroidered design includes a pieced silk Union Jack in one corner. It is hoped that enough money can be raised to clean the flag, stabilise the splits and cracks in the silk and re-mount and re-frame it. It's been estimated that this will cost in the region of £2,000. The museum has already received a very generous donation towards the project from the Royal Naval Association in Monmouth, for which is it very grateful. If you would like to make a contribution towards this fundraising appeal, contact the museums fundraising officer on 01291 625981 or email [email protected]">[email protected]