Complex sentence: Early on, a Union Jack defaced with the badge of the NLC was used, albeit unofficially, but in 1918 a request was made to the British Admiralty to use a blue ensign defaced with the badge of the navy league on the fly.
Split into simpler sentences: Early on, a Union Jack defaced with the badge of the NLC was used, albeit unofficially. In 1918, a request was made to the British Admiralty to use a blue ensign defaced with the badge of the Navy League on the fly.