The house flag of Walter Runciman & Co., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A white burgee with blue edges and a blue 'R' in the centre. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

Walter Runciman and Company was founded by Walter Runciman, later the First Baron Runciman of Shoreston. Runciman was born in Dunbar, Scotland and ran away to sea at age 11. Runciman bought his first ship in 1885, and four years later founded the South Shields Steam Shipping Company Limited, based in South Shields on the River Tyne in England. By 1895 Runciman had acquired 20 steamers. 11 of these were in his own name, and 9 belonged to his company. In 1897 the company’s name was changed to the Moor Line and by 1904 it owned 23 steamers, and at the start of World War I it owned 40. The company suffered losses during the war, and in 1919 Runciman sold all of the company’s 13 remaining ships to Western Counties Shipping Company Limited. That company folded in 1922 and Runciman decided to buy 8 of these ships back at a much reduced cost. The company acquired a controlling interest in the Anchor Line in 1935, which had been previously owned by Cunard. In 1937, Sir Walter Runciman died and the company changed its name (while still managing the Moor Line) to Runciman Shipping Company Limited, managed by Walter Runciman and Company Limited. The two companies merged in 1947 to acquire the latter name. The Anchor Line was sold to Runciman in 1965 and three years later the ownership of the Moor Line was transferred to Anchor Line Shipping Management Limited, while Runicman Shipping Limited ran day-to-day operations of the ships. By 1976 Runciman Shipping Limited was one of five divisions of Anchor Line Company Limited, running the administration of the company. (Research: Rebecca Hernandez)