GENBRIT-L Archives

Archiver > GENBRIT > 1999-03 > 0920278121


From: Les Kirkham <>
Subject: Re: Navy question: Uniform and Insignia
Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 12:48:41 +0400


John Stark wrote:

> - A three bladed propeller with a crown above.

As far as I remember (could be wrong here), this indicates a (Chief?)
Stoker.

> - Two stripes, like a corporal wears.

Probably service stripes - each given for 3 years good unblemished service.

> - A cap badge, and two arm badges with a crown above crossed anchors. I
> have a number of photos of him wearing this in a double breasted jacket
> and peaked cap. I assume this is a Petty Officers uniform. (Dad was
> made up to Chief just before demob so I doubt if he had any of the
> trappings).

Yes - the badge indicates a Petty Officer. A Chief Petty Officer has 3 gold
buttons at the cuff. Ratings have the 'square rig' with peakless hat & the
3-striped collar, and the more modern jacket & peaked hat or 'fore & aft
uniform' was introduced for senior NCOs in the 19th century.

> I have two photos taken in
> Dunfermline (when he was stationed at Rosyth) where in one there appears
> to be no ship's name, and in the other HMS only is visible. This was
> 1940 - so were the ship's names removed as a security measure?

Yes - "HMS" was a security measure.

> In some photos he is wearing dark uniform, in others white - sometimes
> in not so short shorts. Clearly this is cold and hot climate uniform,
> but were there any regulations about when and where these should be
> worn? I hope to map the photos to his service in various ships/places.

I think the tropical uniform was introduced just before the war. What they
wore would have been determined by the Orders of the Day.

Les Kirkham, UAE

This thread: