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Archiver > GENBRIT > 1999-03 > 0920298145


From: "Brian Sharrock" <>
Subject: Re: Navy question: Uniform and Insignia
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 14:22:25 -0000


John Stark <> wrote in message
news:...
>
>Dad was a stoker. In 1940 he became a Petty Officer and later a Chief.
>In his bits and pieces there are some brocaded insignia. What do they
>mean?:
>
>- A three bladed propeller with a crown above. I have several photos of
>him in a ratings(?) uniform - bell bottoms and peakless flat cap with
>the bib thing at the back of the shoulders (I expect there's a name for
>it). He is wearing the insignia on his right sleeve, between the elbow
>and shoulder. I have only one insignia and from the photos it looks like
>it was only worn on the right arm.

Royal Navy badges are left/right arm differentiated;-

The right arm indicating what type of work or rate the person
is performing, Seaman, Telegraphist, Writer, Stoker ... etc
The rate/trade will be depicted by an appropriate device, in the
example cited a screw (propeller). The crown represents seniority
within this rate/trade.

The left arm indicates the rating (level);-
blank = ordinary and able rating
single anchor = Leading rating ("Hooky")
crossed anchors = Petty Officer

Note references should be to Able Telegraphist, ... Leading stoker etc.

>- Two stripes, like a corporal wears. I have no photos of him wearing
>this (but I think I have one where he may be wearing one stripe - it's
>not very clear).

These stripes cause lots of confusion to folks translating such
stripes into "army speak", they are "good conduct" stripes awarded
for periods of unblemished service, or more cynically "undetected crime".
There should be a correlation between the number of good conduct
stripes and rating badges. But, while a crossed anchors without stripes
would be unusual (rapid promotion) a "three stripe AB" was not unknown.

>- 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).
>
The changeover from "square-rig" to "fore-and-aft rig" takes place
at the Petty Officer rank/rating.

Brian Sharrock

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