Two pensioners in their 90s have been branded "insulting" in an anonymous letter posted through their door after the married couple flew a Union Jack upside down.
Betty and Maurice Curtis, both aged 96, were shocked to receive the "horrible" note that included an illustration of the "correct way to display the flag."
The pair, who have been married for 75 years after meeting during the Second World War, claim they have flown the flag on a 15ft pole in the back garden of their home in Weymouth, Dorset, for years without any concern from locals.
They said the error was a “genuine mistake” and they “didn’t know”, the Dorset Echo reports.
Flying the Union Jack proved controversial (stock pic)
GETTYThe letter read: “To whom it should concern. Is it in ignorance or arrogance that you persist in flying the ‘Union Jack’ upside down?
“To do so, other than in genuine need to send an ‘S-O-S’, is an insult!
“For your education, please refer to the illustration below, which shows the correct way to display the flag of the union.”
At the foot of the letter, the sender included an image of a Union Jack flag with the message: "Prevalent part of white uppermost diagonal should be atop the red diagonal.”
The couple, who brand themselves big royalists, frequently hang flags for various occasions such as national holidays and birthdays (stock pic)
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There is then an image of a Union Flag with the message: “Prevalent part of white uppermost diagonal should be atop the red diagonal.”
The couple, who brand themselves big royalists, frequently hang flags for various occasions such as national holidays and birthdays and proudly display their anniversary card from King Charles on their lounge table.
When asked who the mystery sender could be, Betty said it could have been an ex-service person who saw the flag while passing by on a bus or train.
She said: “I know the person could have served in the services, but there is no need for that.
She went on to say that her 96-year-old husband, Maurice, sometimes struggles to change the flag due to windy conditions (stock pic)
GETTY
She went on to say that her 96-year-old husband, Maurice, sometimes struggles to change the flag due to windy conditions.
Betty added: “They could have just knocked on the door, and we would have changed it around straight away. Why can’t people just be nice?
“We don’t know who it could be. Our neighbours are all lovely so it may even have been someone passing on the main street or bus, but to take the time and trouble to come up the drive is horrible.
“It was a genuine mistake. We didn’t know and we didn’t persist. We all make mistakes; haven’t they ever done so?”
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