of the Blue Squadron Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron Vice-Admiral of the White Squadron Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron Rear-Admiral of the Red Squadron Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron Rear-Admiral of the Blue Squadron Admirals without an appointment were colloquially referred to as Yellow Admirals. Ships of the Royal Navy flew the Ensign that coincided with the squadron of their commanding officer. See also List of command flags of the Royal Navy Citations Sources Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "Flags of Command: Admirals Flags". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press. Squadron Colours" (2014), (PDF). National Museum of the Royal Navy. Military ranks of the Royal Navy