RN Chevrons & Wound StripesThe Naval way of doing things! See how the Admiralty words its edict taking into account the sophistication of its sailors and their reluctance to be put upon. Remember many sailors had served in the trenches as infantry men whilst serving in the RND (Royal Naval Division). Note that this edict was over 4 years since peace was declared after WW1. I can relate to this. When naval rigs were changed away from the wearing of a smart jacket (my No1's were doeskin, No 2's a woolen barathea and in the 'old' days No 3's in a non too rough serge) all with medal ribbons (medals worn on No1's) adornments and badges, in favour of wearing a blue wooly pully, we lost the opportunity to show off our medals ribbons, submarine/FAA badges/brooches and level of branch expertise (the OPS BRANCH Instructor rate with two stars beneath the branch badge). Simultaneously, we also lost our caps, mine always topped with a brilliant white starched cloth cap cover, for that damned hideous beret. True, it reduced our uniform cost outlay and the loss of a silly beret didn't hit the pocket like the loss of a cap did, but there is more to life than just the money factor!The hideous beret was not a new item of clothing/uniform and was widely worn during in WW2 by officers and for ten years after the end of it. This picture of 1955 courtesy of the IWM© shows Admiral of the Fleet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh wearing a beret about to undergo a precipitous light jackstay transfer from the carrier Centaur, high up from just forward of the Island back to the Royal Yacht lower down!
As a Lt Cdr he was the CO of the frigate Magpie in 1949-1950. Now a Commander he re-visits the ship in Malta in 1952 and is taken for a short trip in his old ship. Note again the head gear worn. © Royal Collection. |
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SPECIAL CLASSES | SHARES |
Admiral Commander-in-Chief Admiral Commanding a Squadron Vice Admiral Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Commanding a Squadron Vice Admiral Rear Admiral Commander-in-Chief Read Admiral Commanding a Squadron Rear Admiral Commodore 1st Class Commander-in-Chief Commodore 1st Class Commanding a Squadron Commodore 1st Class Commodore 2nd Class Commanding a Squadron Commodore 2nd Class Captain-in-Command, after nine years' service in that rank Captain-in-Command, after six years' service in that rank Captain-in-Command, after three years' service in that rank Captain-in-Command, with not more than three years' service in that rank | 125010001000750500750500300750500250250160160140120100 |
FIRST CLASS | SHARES |
Commander-in-Command | 60 |
SECOND CLASS | SHARES |
Captain not in CommandCommander serving as second in Command in a ship Commanded by a CaptainEngineering Commander and Commander (E) in charge of the engines of a ship commanded by a CaptainLieutenant Commander in Command | 40404040 |
THIRD CLASS | SHARES |
Commander not in Command Lieutenant Commander serving as Second in Command in a ship commanded by a CaptainEngineer Lieutenant Commander and Lieutenant Commander (E) in charge of the engines of a ship commanded by a CaptainLieutenant in Command | 30303030 |
FOURTH CLASS | SHARES |
Lieutenant Commander not in CommandLieutenant serving as Second in Command in a ship commanded by a CaptainLieutenant (E) in charge of the engines of a ship commanded by a Captain | 252525 |
FIFTH CLASS | SHARES |
Lieutenant not in CommandSub Lieutenant in CommandCommissioned Officer from Warrant Rank in Command | 202020 |
SIXTH CLASS | SHARES |
Sub Lieutenant not in Command Commissioned Officer from Warrant Rank not in CommandWarrant Officer in Command | 151515 |
SEVENTH CLASS | SHARES |
Warrant Officer not in Command | 12 |
EIGHTH CLASS | SHARES |
Midshipmen and Chief Petty Officers | 10 |
NINTH CLASS | SHARES |
Naval Cadet and Petty Officers | 10 |
TENTH CLASS | SHARES |
Leading Seaman | 6 |
ELEVENTH CLASS | SHARES |
Able Seaman | 5 |
TWELFTH CLASS | SHARES |
Ordinary Seaman and Boys | 3 |