SHIPS/BADGES - CRESTS etc

[Odin]

Just wondering if any other forum Members had any interesting ships crests they could post. I mean the proper crests and not the very small copies or cardboard stickies that most ships use for PR.

I've a couple which I will dig out from their hiding places but here is one to get started

HM S/M SANGUINE
'S' Class Submarine Launched Cammell Laird 15.02.1945
Sold Israel 1958 - RAHAV 03.1959
Cannibilised for spares for TANIN 1968

Size: 8.5" x 6.5"
Material: Unpainted alloy
Acquired: Bric a Brac shop 1970s

[Odin]

Just been out in the rain to the mass storage space (shed) and found this one

HM S/M WARSPITE
Nuclear Submarine Launched Vickers Armstrong Barrow 25.09.1965
Paid Off 06.1991 laid up Devonport

Size: 13" x 10.5"
Material: Painted metal alloy on wooden back
Acquired: MOD source 1990s

[Odin]

Managed to locate the last one I have - this one needs a little refit work as it is slightly damaged.

HMS Wilton
Minehunter Launched Vosper Thornycroft 18.01.1972
Sold 08.2001 for possible conversion to yatch club

Size: 10.5" x 8.5"
Material: Painted plastercast on wooden back
Acquired: Militaria Dealer 1990s

[Odin]

Realised I had one more tucked away in a drawer - for a ship that never was!

NFR 90
NATO Frigate Replacement for 1990s
Project abandoned early 1990. Emblem on the crest depicts a frigate going through the badge of Hamburg, where the project was based

Size: 7.5" x 5.5"
Material: Plastic on wooden back
Acquired: Presented Dec 1989

This project was intended to provide a Frigate for eight NATO countries including the UK (our replacement for the Type 42 Destroyer). After the project was cancelled, there were various UK evolutions ended in the Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class).

[stewart mcloughlin]

Odin, that should be as rare as a King Edward VIII penny, or a stamp without the Queen's image on, and probably as valuable. I'd hang on to that one. Pity these projects don't come to fruition. Same ship, same spares, same connections, contributes to less likelyhood of conflict in the future. Wonder how much the project consumed before it was abandoned. Just think of all those new kitchens and TV's it could have bought for our beloved and trusted political leaders.
Stewart

[nogrub]

Ships Crests or Ships Badges?

I have books of Admirally Ships Badges (Original Patterns) 1919 - 1994, plus an Addendum 1995 - 1998, by T.P.Stopford it was printed by Midas Printing Hong Kong, I do not know if they are still available.

[Odin]

I've not seen that particular book but a quick look at E-bay shows several similar books are available. There is a ships badges book in my local reference library.

You are absolutely correct nogrub - they are ships badges and not crests. My initiate entry was to try and pick up the larger 'badges' rather than the smaller ones used for PR, so crests seemed a more appropriate description.

A lot of people acquire these small sticky badges.

[Stan.J]

I have a number of Ships badges in my garage. They belong to the Local R.N.Association and were removed from the old club when it was taken over. The association told me to get them to a good home. I have a Publican after some of them but I will list them and hope that some of you may want one of their oldship. (If I have it of course) All they would cost is the postage and a possible donation to our local R.N.A.
I will sort them out when I come back from holiday in ten days time.( I am off to Sunny Scotland??????) Cheers Stan.

[Kevin Denlay]

I have books of Admirally Ships Badges (Original Patterns) 1919 - 1994, plus an Addendum 1995 - 1998, by T.P.Stopford it was printed by Midas Printing Hong Kong, I do not know if they are still available.

There are two available on Internet. A used volume two for $30usd and an as new both volumes for a staggering $357usd!!!!!!! OUCH! It better be good!!

K

[Kevin Denlay]

I have a number of Ships badges in my garage. They belong to the Local R.N.Association and were removed from the old club when it was taken over. The association told me to get them to a good home. I have a Publican after some of them but I will list them and hope that some of you may want one of their oldship. (If I have it of course) All they would cost is the postage and a possible donation to our local R.N.A.
I will sort them out when I come back from holiday in ten days time.( I am off to Sunny Scotland??????) Cheers Stan.

I hope I am not being rude but................................let me express my strong interest in purchasing any/all of the following: HMS Exeter, HMS Encounter, HMS Electra, HMS Jupiter, HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, should you have any or all of them. :)

K

[stewart mcloughlin]

Has anyone got a copy of the crest of HMS Ribble. Trying to build up a collection of Ribble thingamajigs. Did it vary from the different ships to carry the name. Or even a picture of the 1980's minesweeper. E.mailing them could be the best reproductive alternative.
Many thanks.
Stewart

[nogrub]

I have a copy in one of my books of a lamb carrying a staff with a cross at the top and a pennant under the cross, the lamb is on a white triangle with blue lines that seem to represent the river. Does this description fit!

[stewart mcloughlin]

Surely does.
The Lamb of God is the motif of the now City of Preston (Priest's town) , on the bank (north) of the river and the blue line will be the river of course.
Don't know why it should adopt an image more in tune to Preston as opposed to any other town on the river's trail. She was adopted by the Yorkshire town of Settle, at the headwaters of the Ribble, in WW2.
Stewart

[tonclass]

RIBBLE's badge.

[nogrub]

Surely does.
The Lamb of God is the motif of the now City of Preston (Priest's town) , on the bank (north) of the river and the blue line will be the river of course.
Don't know why it should adopt an image more in tune to Preston as opposed to any other town on the river's trail. She was adopted by the Yorkshire town of Settle, at the headwaters of the Ribble, in WW2.
Stewart

This according to my book was designed for M 1220.4095

[nogrub]

There are two available on Internet. A used volume two for $30usd and an as new both volumes for a staggering $357usd!!!!!!! OUCH! It better be good!!

K

My set cost £45 plus £3 for the addendum new,they are as good as the day
they were bought.
I will enquire after the holiday if they are still available, or if there has been any
further addendums, plus cost .

[Stan.J]

Further to my post Number 8. Here is the list of Ships Crests I have in my Garage:-
Dreadnought
Caledonian
Norfolk
Zest
Repulse
Danae
Dartmouth
Juno
Iron Duke
Exmouth
Newcastle
Hurworth
Scarborough
St.Brides bay
Brighton
Sentinal
Ariadne.
I have already had a request for the Repulse, As I said the cost would be the postage plus a donation of your choice to my local R.N.Association.
Some are a little weighty, others smaller and more modern and lighter.
Cheers,Stan

[Stan.J]

Thought that I would bring this back, Just to remind you ex Matelots about the few Ships Badges(Crests)which I have.

[CYLLA]

I have read this form from fwd to aft,and find it most interesting,
i have two crest,s made from plaster of paris from two of my old ships,they were made for the 4.5inch guns,NOT THAT I WOULD SELL THEM,
do they have more value then the wooden ones that are around.???


cylla

[bob shayler]

6603

My favourite taking pride of place in my hobby room,
Bob

[Batstiger]

Having seen the crest of HM Gunboat posted by Chris Howat reminds me of how lucky can one be?
Every month I have a drink with a couple of ex matelots down at the Cock Hotel in Wellington Shropshire. One works for the "Gas" and the other is ex CID.(Both are Cavalier members)
Ron the gasman, who I saw last Wednesday, had been to a funeral of an ex matelot.
To cut a long story short he acquired two books of Gale and Polden ships crests. A lot of these were examples and his wife emailed me a couple which I would like to share.
He is researching the lot which he says runs into thousands so if I can tempt any more out of him I will stick them on this thread.
Here are the samples along with Chris's Gunboat motif.

Cheers, Bob.

[alanbenn]

Having had some interest already in ship's badges I thought I might start a new thread of ship's badges.
perhaps we could link it with photo's of the ships past and present, depicted by the badge, or even comparisons with the photo's of badges and those wall mounted plaster ones. Here's a few for starters.
regards
Alan

[tonclass]

Great thread, Alan. I have a few badges, but am missing loads, so, hopefully you can add the missing ones.

[alanbenn]

Rik, I hope this thread will grow not only for the badges but also the ships photo's. It always adds to a photo when framed if the badge is there also.
I don't know how many you have or more importantly how many you are missing, my collection is from the early days to 1998ish and currently stands at 1700+ badges along with the 116 Fleet Air Arm Squadron badges.

Cheers
Alan

[tonclass]

This is what I put together for my Brother-In-Law for his birthday, plus a another similar thing I've done using the funnel badge.

[alanbenn]

Rik, it must be a brother-in-law thing, here's my birthday present to my brother-in-law, we served at ganges together.

Alan

[tonclass]

Strange !! This a small project I did for a lady who wanted to surprise her Dad.

[tonclass]

This is my collection of ships badges beginning with the letter 'A' (apologies if yours appear again)

[tonclass]

More 'A's...........

[tonclass]

Yet more 'A's..................

[tonclass]

Some more 'A's...............

[alanbenn]

Rik, great to see so many variations of the badges, picking out Hms Alresford, the badge as you can see was in badly need of work as most are, it took me the best part of 5 years to retouch my collection the result as you can see was worth it.

Alan

[tonclass]

Last batch of 'A's (I think). If you can fill in the gaps, or improve on the quality, please post away.

[tonclass]

Great job, Alan. Much better than the one I posted !! Funnily enough, my daughters best friend & college buddy lives in Alresford !!

[vivian]

Alan and Rik, thanks for putting up the Badges, they are great and I'm looking forward to seeing more. I like the gifts you both made up, what a good idea.

Rik, you put up one for Assegai. Now I was told that my uncle was in a minesweeper in WW2 (a converted trawler) named Assegai. I've not been able to find any reference to any vessel of this name and started to have doubts. So I was pleased to see this reference but I don't know if it is the same one. I don't mean to sidetrack the thread but since the badge is shown here thought I'd ask if anyone has any more info.
Thanks and regards,
Vivian

[alanbenn]

Hi Vivian, here's the badge for assegai, I don't know if there was a trawler with that name, during ww2 Hms Assegai was a shore establishment in Durban, South Africa.
However I'm sure one of our resident experts will let you know if there was in fact an armed trawler by that name.

Regards
Alan

[vivian]

Thanks for that info Alan, I appreciate it.
regards,
Vivian

[CYLLA]

RIK, the one of HMS MOHAWK ,i think is the top hat ,with the way the cap talley has been placed on as well,.
That being one of my old ships .you have made a right good job on it ,

cylla

[jbryce1437]

Great thread Alan, your badges are the bee's knees and reflect the amount of work you have put into them. Do you know if the shape of the badge could be changed by local preference, or was it laid down what shape they had to be? Two attached of Apollo are different shapes, unless one is from the cruiser and one from the frigate.

[astraltrader]

Although I have never collected Ships Badges this is a really good thread and an asset to the forum. Well done Alan and Rik.

[tonclass]

Jim,

All cruiser badges were pentagonal shaped. All WW2 destroyers were shield shaped. At least that is what I understood. Also Shore bases were diamond-shaped.

Cylla,

Glad you like the MOHAWK pic. My Brother-in-Law did as well.

Vivian,

there was a WW1 yacht requisitioned by the Admiralty and named Assegai, but nothing in WW2.

[tonclass]

Some 'B's (which , I'm sure Alan can improve on)

[alanbenn]

Jim, you are spot on with your theory, the initial brief was as follows

Circular frames for Capital ships (battleships and battlecruisers)
Pentagonal frames for Cruisers
Shield shape for Destroyers
Offset Square for frigates, sloops auxiliary vessels, submarines, aircraft carriers.

This changed in 1940 when new ships were allocated round frames, as had been given to fleet air arm squadrons since 1936.
Shore establishments given a diamond shape, RFA'S took the cruiser shape pentagonal, existing ships were allowed to keep their original shapes.
Almost all ships now have round frames.
The colours of the name box below the crown were also different for particular ships classes, but now all are usually black background with gold lettering.

It does get confusing at times, but then when did 'pusser' ever make things easy?
regards
Alan

[tonclass]

Cheers Alan, for giving a more thorough explanation !!

Updated my badge pix to incorporate you latest.....

[alanbenn]

Pleased everyone likes these badges, here's some of the most popular by request to me over the years.
I was rather hoping that members of the forum would post some of their photo's in exchange for the badges to go with them, which seems fair.
My total collection as I said in earlier posts is over 1700 badges.
It is independently valued at over a 5 figure sum, hence my reluctance to just post the entire collection.
But hey, post some photo's......you can have the badge!

Regards
Alan

[vivian]

Thanks Rik and Alan for the info on Assegai, and once again, I just love these badges. They're wonderful.

[alanbenn]

A few interesting facts about ships badges and ships names.

Hms Weston was initially commissioned as weston-super-mare, however before she was even launched Jolly Jack Tar had already started to refer to the ship as 'Aggie on horseback' to which reference was 'aggie westons' the remainder typical naval humour. the admiralty took a dim view of this and so launched the ship as Hms Weston.

Hms Tideflow was commissioned as Tiderace, but at a time when a certain Flamboyant pianist was very popular and again Jolly Jack made reference to this, again the admiralty changed the name.

2 other ships that had altered names were Cromwell and Pitt, the names chosen to represent famous politicians, however King George V was against cromwell for obvious reasons and the 2nd name was an obvious target for Jolly Jack as it rhymes with S**T and so the admiralty names the said ships RENOWN and Repulse.

Alan

[alanbenn]

Thanks to all who are looking in on these post albiet not replying much,

Here are badges for ships that came to the RN under the lend lease agreement with the USA, notice that the star has been incorporated into the design.

Does anyone want a particular badge?

And lets see some photos of ships, I'll post the badge for them.

cheers
Alan

[Harley]

I'm surprised that they bothered giving the Town class badges. Bit pointless giving torpedo-magnets/mobile breakwaters badges - did they float :p?

Facetiousness aside, very nice!

Harley

[rumrat]

Here's one you may not have ST BRIDES BAY

Regards
Dave

[ceylon220]

Of all the badges shown I am dissappointed that not one refers to the ships/shore bases that I served in during my 20 years service with the Royal Navy,can any of you guys come up with the following:
RALEIGH, WHITESAND BAY,LOCH KILLISPORT, RNB(Portsmouth),ZEST,EXCELLENT,VANGUARD,CEYLON,BAR BICAN,COCHRANE, LOCHINVAR, ORWELL,TRACKER, please put me out of my misery.

[alanbenn]

Dave, Your misery has ended, badges as requested.

quote: ask and thou shalt receive......


Regards
Alan

[Stan.J]

Hi! Alan, How about Derby Haven...Swiftsure and Wildgoose, Cheers,Stan

[alanbenn]

Stan, here's your badges as requested and thank you for posting the ships photographs.

My collection of badges is worth a lot of money, however I'm more than happy to trade a decent sized photo of a ship for the badge, so can those who make requests bear this in mind please.

Regards
Alan

[rumrat]

Nice ones Alan got anything on RAPID DEFENDER and PHOEBE ??
ReGARDS
Dave

[alanbenn]

Dave, here's your badges for Defender, Phoebe and Rapid.


Regards
Alan

[rumrat]

Cheers Alan.
Dave

[Stan.J]

Thanks for the badges alan.Cheers,Stan

[bd popeye]

Very intresting.. Since I did serve in the USN I can tell you the USN has a varity of ship, NAVAIR and shore station patches/logos/seals.

This is my favorite. USS Texas SSN 775..

Sorry it won't post as a thumbnail..

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3761/60727149qd0.png

[alanbenn]

Popeye, thanks so much for the insight into US badges, I have seen quite a few and like ours are very artistic. The US Navy does not have restrictions on their badges like we do.
The Royal Navy badges are akin to heraldic crests and some are indeed variants of family crests. There are strict guidelines for the artists set out by the admiralty and any design not complying is duely rejected.

There are however multitudes of unofficial badges for RN ships designed by the Sailors themselves which are very much similar to US badges.

Feel free to post any US badges, it's always worth looking at comparisons.

Regards
Alan

[tylerryan]

Hi Alan,

My old ships where Ganges,Kenya ,Mauritius,Terror,Pembroke,Cockatrice, would like to see them please if possible , what a thread ! just beautiful to look at , they are pieces of art thank you .

[bd popeye]

Popeye, thanks so much for the insight into US badges, I have seen quite a few and like ours are very artistic. The US Navy does not have restrictions on their badges like we do

Thanks alanbenn. However the USN does have restrictions on the shape of those "badges" based on what type of command they badge is assigned to...don't ask me the details I can't remember..:(:o All badges must be approved by the chain of command.

1) USS Enterprise CV-6
2) USS Hancock CVA-19
3) USS Midway CV-41

[alanbenn]

Popeye, thanks again for the US Navy badges, I wasn't aware there were restrictions on them, probably due to the fact that you sometimes see more than one badge for a ship.
Keep them coming Popeye as I'm sure members who collect US Navy ship photo's would like to add the badge for those ship's to their collections.

Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

Ty, welcome to the forum, here's the badges you requested, there are a few ex-ganges boys among us, myself included. I also served at Hms Terror, Singapore in 1972. I have also included a nice photo of the mast manning, although I think it has been posted elsewhere, it is a larger copy than the one previously posted.

If you have any good photo's of Kenya and Mauritius there are plenty of us who would like to see them.

Regards
Alan

[bd popeye]

I really like the RN ships badges . They have an order about them..

Check out the diffrent forms the USN use to use..

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/5360/43832366ru6.png

USS Coral Sea CV-43

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4666/59362889nt0.png

USS Ranger CV-61

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/636/38786418rr9.png

USS Forrestal CV-59

[bd popeye]

Now compare those badges designed in the 50s compared to the ones the USN uses on all ships except CVNs and Submarimes. These type badges have been in use the last 30-25 years.

[tylerryan]

Thank you Alan for the badges , will have to get myself a Scanner

Tyler

[bd popeye]

Here's the ships badge from the not yet in service USS New York LPD-21 an San Antonio class LPD.

The US Navy calls a ships badge a "Coat of Arms".

[alanbenn]

Popeye, now those are badges I like, they are along the same sort of theme as Royal Navy ones, do they get passed on to ship that take the same name or is a new badge designed for each ship?


Regards

Alan

[tonclass]

Alan, another great set of badges !! I have one query ? This is the pic of PEMBROKES badge I already had. It doesn't match yours ?? Which one was the correct one ?

[bd popeye]

Popeye, now those are badges I like, they are along the same sort of theme as Royal Navy ones, do they get passed on to ship that take the same name or is a new badge designed for each ship?


Regards

Alan

When a ship with the same as one previous is comissioned there is a new coat of arms..but usally incorprating something from the ships namesake "coat of arms". Later I will find an example.

[alanbenn]

Rik, I have seen that photo before but I don't know where it originated from, although it looks official it's not in my database of badges.
The one I have posted was passed as an official pattern in 1956.

There is no reference to any other badge for Pembroke. The database I have depicts all badges from around 1915-20 up to and including 1995.

So unless someone can enlighten us further I don't know if that badge was ever sanctioned.

Alan

[bd popeye]

alanbenn, I really like those badges you post. I like the full size when they are opened;)

I cannot find a site decated to USN badges/seals/logos/crest etc.

The Iowa class battleships coat of arms.

[tonclass]

Cheers Alan. Must be one of those 'Unofficial' ones.

[historydavid]

Alan, did you know that the KENYA badge has "lost" its jewels?

[alanbenn]

David, I'm at a loss as to what you mean by Kenya badge has lost it's Jewels.

If you can elaborate I'll try and answer your message.

Regards

Alan

[historydavid]

Hello Alan, you are obviously too familiar with the badges to have spotted it.

All the other badges that you have posted have coloured "jewels" around the rim of the crown, but KENYA does not.

[historydavid]

Alan, I must say that I am fascinated by all these badges that have been posted; things that I am not familiar with.

In an earlier post you referred to your database, and I was wondering if this is a book that could be purchased or one that you have compiled yourself.

I would like to know if the IRON DUKE and LION wore badges at Jutland.

[alanbenn]

David. thanks for the little nudge regarding the Kenya badge.

There are still a few badges that I have to go over and touch up so to speak, That is one of them. Basically I have taken the original photo's that both myself and my Dad collected during our naval careers, scanned them, repainted them in a lot of cases, the end result is what you see.

The database I refer to is my own that I have built up over the years. Grabbing every bit of useless info I can, because somewhere along the line the useless info will become relevant and no longer useless but useful.

In answer to your 2 queries, Iron Dukes badge was submitted as a pattern on 24th July 1922 and Lion submitted her pattern on 27th October 1919.

The badges may well have been used unofficially prior to those dates
However many ships had smaller badges in the early days, without the naval crest above and were similar in the design, ie Hms Lion would have depicted a lion.
Here's another example of my tidying up work, Hms zodiac badge was a bit of a mess as the original shows, some 5-6 hours later the result is what you see here. Now imagine that amount of work x 1700 badges.

It took years and years to get the collection the way it is now.
And as you correctly pointed out some still need a little extra.

Regards
Alan

[Stan.J]

Alan, One here of "Bulawayo" Thought it was a little unusual?

[historydavid]

Thank you for that informative and detailed response, Alan.

I believe that the work you have produced is quite outstanding.

[alanbenn]

Stan, you are quite right with the Hms Bulawayo badge it is unusual.

The reason I say this is that it has the 'motto' underneath.

Quite a few badges had the ships motto underneath them. The original paintings all had this, they were produced on the old 'foolscape' paper. When the paper sizes changed ie. from foolscape to A4, A5, A6 etc. the old foolscape paper would not fit into A4 sized envelopes for storage.
Some dimwit therefore decide to guillotine all the originals down to A4 size rather than order A3 size envelopes. as a result all the motto's were removed from the original patterns.

You couldn't make it up could you? And so another piece of British history went into the waste bins of the M.O.D.

Here's my version of the badge....without motto!

Alan

[alanbenn]

David, thanks ever so much for your kind comments!

regards
Alan

[romft1945]

Thanks the whole thread was very interesting,I found a book, Royal Navy Ships Badges written by Peter C Smith in a junk shop the other day it is also very interesting written I believe in 1973,the amount of badges and crests I gave away when I left beggers belief but there we go water under the bridge now,
Romft

[doug.birch]

Yet another ship's badge,Fencer17052

[alanbenn]

Doug, thanks for the posting of Fencer. I have that photo although it's larger about 1.5mb. Here's another shot of Fencer if you don't already have it and my version of the badge.


Cheers
Alan

[rumrat]

Anyone got Crest's for the Cat Class Frigates LYNX, JAGUAR,PUMA and LEOPARD Please ?
Regards
Dave

[alanbenn]

Dave, here's the requested ships badges.

Do you have any decent photo's of the ships?

I do have some but always looking for more...

Regards
Alan

[astraltrader]

Sorry about this I moved this to the Ships Badges thread.
I feel that as we have created an excellent thread on Ships Badges and crests that it is important that any other posts requsting or posting them should be put there...

[bd popeye]

Some ships "badges" from USN Essex class CVs..

[bd popeye]

Ships "Badges" from USN Tarawa class LHAs and Wasp class LHDs.

[historydavid]

hello popeye, you have posted two different WASP badges; is it possible for you to date them to particular ships?

[bd popeye]

hello popeye, you have posted two different WASP badges; is it possible for you to date them to particular ships?

Sure In my post #69 that Wasp badge is from the USS Wasp CV/CV-18 an Essex class carrier. No longer in service.

In post # 70 that Wasp badge is from the present day USS Wasp LHD-1

[romft1945]

These are actual photos I have not badges hope they are exceptable,
ROMFT

P.S. If they are will post more

1 HMS CAVENDISH
2 HMS GLOWWORM
3 HMS MARLBOROUGH
4 HMS NELSON

[rumrat]

Alan,
Here's a few shots of the cats, I do have more but will post them on the other thread later.
Have sent you a PM Mate.
Regards
Dave

[rumrat]

Or at least i will post them when the site lets me.Anyone know why i can't upload photo's ??
Dave

[jbryce1437]

Appreciate your frustration Dave, had probs getting on myself, but seems ok now

[historydavid]

Popeye, thanks for the dating info.

[rumrat]

Cheers anyway Alan, Do you have crest's for any of them ?
Dave

[alanbenn]

Dave, sadly no individual badges for those ships they didn't fall into the required size. I will check though to see if there is a 'type' badge for them. i.e similar to say the 'ton' class badges, same badge for all ships just the name differs.

Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

The badge for these vessels is that of the standard minor vessels badge.

any minor vessel is allocated this badge, as is any vessel not previously issued with a badge.

Here's the badge with the name Bullfinch.

Alan

[astraltrader]

Alan could we please post all requests and actual crests or badges, in this excellent large thread you have already built up on the subject!

[tonclass]

Some more badges from minor warships with a 'sweeper theme !! Apologies for the various sizes !!!!

[alanbenn]

Rik, many thanks for the mixture of official and unofficial badges for these minesweepers.

For those who maybe interested, The official badges are:-

Abdiel, Caledonia, Wilton, Fittleton (ton class badge)
The next one along from Fittleton is the official badge for the 'Ford' class minesweepers.

The remainder although fascinating are all unofficial badges, as far as I am aware.

I'm sure there is a book with several unofficial badges for those ships that 'were forgotten'.

Anyone else got pics of these unofficial badges?

Regards
Alan

[NSR]

Rik, Do you have the badge of HMS Pincher, an Algerine Class sweeper. From memory it was a lobster perched on its tail.I would like to add it to my collection of photos of my old ship.

Ken

[tonclass]

Sorry Ken I don't, but Alan might......

[alanbenn]

Ken, Here's the photo of 'Pincher's' badge. Any chance of a decent sized photo of the ship, I have one of her but I am looking for a better one.

Regards

Alan

[bd popeye]

More USN "Ships Badges " for our fine members!

[tonclass]

HMS PINCHER photo....

[alanbenn]

Rik, fantastic photo of Pincher, thank you very much it is most appreciated.

Regards
Alan

[historydavid]

That is a bit strong, unseen.

Someone having a copy of a Sealed Pattern does not imply that they have ever heard of your friend.

[NSR]

Alan,

Thanks for the photo of Pincher's badge, it is now in my collection.

Three shots of Pincher taken during 1955/56.
1 Approaching Goole for a Navy week visit.
2 En Route to Brussels for the opening of the Buda Bridge.
3 Southern Families Week in the Outer Pool below Tower Bridge.

No 2 was from the Brussels Newspaper 'La Dernier Heure' which supplied us with photographs. It has been posted on another site dealing with naval topics.

Ken

[alanbenn]

Ken, thank you so much for the photo's you have posted, they are excellent.

Regards
Alan

[astraltrader]

Thanks Ken - much appreciated...

[andy4943]

Does anyone know where I can get a photo of HMS Penn ships badge? WW2 destroyer that helped Ohio into Malta during Op Pedestal.

[John Brown]

Andy


Welcome to the forum.

I'm sure Alan will be along shortly with a better one but I hope this is ok for now......


Regards ....John

[bd popeye]

Some USN carrier air wing & squadron "Badges"

The last two are;

9) VFA-34

10) CVW-19

CVW= Carrier Air Wing
VFA = Strike Fighter Squadron

[andy4943]

Hi John
Thanks for the welcome but I am a bit confused now. The badge shows a red lion but according to the heraldic data that I have managed to get, it says that the lion is black, otherwise the crest appears to according to the data,
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge :On a Field Barry wavy of six white and blue.
a demi lion erased Black, enfiled with a ducal coronet Gold.
Regards
Andy

[SCRG1970]

Hi Have just joined the forum so bear with me if I repeat any info you may have had already.
Have just trawled through the posts on Ships Badges ( an interest of mine ) and noticed requests for any books on the subject. These are the ones I work from....

"Admiralty Ships Badges" Vol1 and 2 by T.P. Stopford
This contains all the official patterns from 1919-1994 in colour wth heraldic description. Taken from the original documents which were housed in Chatham Dockyard, and yes some clown did cut them down to fit a filing cabinet thus destroying some mottos and inscribed notes.

"The A to Z of Royal Naval Ships Badges" by B.Wilkinson, T.Stopford and D.Taylor
A deeper description ,history of the ship and photo. Unfortunately only two volumes were published covering HMS Abdiel to Buzzard.

"Badges and Battle Honours of H.m.Ships" by Lt.Cdr K.Burns
Once again a deep description with many ship photos and battle honours. The drawback is that it only covers ships in commission at the time of publishing i.e. mid 1980s

"Royal Navy Ships Badges" by Peter.C.Smith
Cross section of fifty or so ships with an interesting section on boats badges.

"Crests and Badges of HM Ships" by Alfred Weightman
This is really the "Bible" covering not only the official badges but also the unofficial ones where known. The only publication that does this that I know of. The drawback is out of print and difficult/costly to purchase.

Hope this helps someone and apologies if I have waffled on for a FIRST POST

SCRG1970

[John Brown]

Hi John
Thanks for the welcome but I am a bit confused now. The badge shows a red lion but according to the heraldic data that I have managed to get, it says that the lion is black, otherwise the crest appears to according to the data,
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge :On a Field Barry wavy of six white and blue.
a demi lion erased Black, enfiled with a ducal coronet Gold.
Regards
Andy

Hi Andy

Sorry but I don't know which is correct. I just saw that plaque for sale on e-bay at

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/sis/_W0QQ_kwZSHIPSQ20CRESTQ20PLAQ51UEQ20BADGEQ20HMSQ20 FEARLESSQ20NAAFIQ20FALKLANDS

Perhaps you could drop Alanbenn a PM and ask him to clarify?


Regards...John

[historydavid]

Welcome aboard SRG. Your book list is interesting and will prove very useful.

[blackshuck]

Just wondering if anyone out there has the badge for HMS Emoor.

I had a copy of it and have somehow lost it not very good with these computer thingys

[doug.birch]

Yet another ship's badge.Fencer.doug.birch.




18665

[jbryce1437]

blackshuck, I assume you are referring to the Hunt class destroyer HMS Exmoor, not Emoor

[blackshuck]

OOps yup thats the one really should check my spelling before I post :o

[alanbenn]

Hi, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, been busy trying to stay alive.....(don't ask)

Hms Exmoor badge.....as requested.

Anyone got a good photo of this ship?

Regards
Alan

[astraltrader]

I have never seen a decent picture of her to date Alan.
This is the best that I have got.

[alanbenn]

Thanks for that one Terry, I find that most of the Hunt class are hard to obtain decent photo's. Shame really cos' there were plenty of em'.


Regards
Alan

[SCRG1970]

Perhaps you may be interested in the fore-runners to the official adopted badges.

Here are those for the INVINCIBLE Class of Battlecruiser.

Gerry

[alanbenn]

Hi Gerry, thanks for the versions of the unofficial badges, they look very much like the badges seen on the silk cards you often see around.

Quite alot of the official badges do show similarities to these older badges, obviously the artists at the time were trying to maintain the theme.

Regards

Alan

[ceylon220]

Sure In my post #69 that Wasp badge is from the USS Wasp CV/CV-18 an Essex class carrier. No longer in service.

In post # 70 that Wasp badge is from the present day USS Wasp LHD-1

Hi brother shipmate, I don`t suppose you have the badges for :
USS ST PAUL USS TALLEDEGA and the sub USS NAUTILUS in your collection.

DAVE.

[ceylon220]

Thanks Alan for posting plaques for the ones requested, sorry about taking so long to reply,mate.

[SCRG1970]

Hi Alan
Thanks for the response to the Unofficial Badges. They have been replicated as Silks and Cards by one of the Tobacco Companies.
Gale and Polden published a large wall chart depicting dozens of "Unofficials" most of which are documented in Weightman`s "Crests and badges".
Several ships carrying the Unofficial badge refused to accept the Official version, one ship that comes to mind is the cruiser Emerald. According to one of her ships company she stuck with the unofficial badge through WWII.
I will dig out a few more and post them.

Regards
Gerry

[alanbenn]

Gerry, more of the unofficials would be great, It's good to be able to compare against the official badges.

May I point out that the Emerald story is a bit of a Myth I'm afraid, the official badge for Hms Emerald was passed in 1923, long before the 2nd world war and was the only badge used as far as I'm aware.
I have not seen any other design and no others were put forward for consideration as official badges.

But, you know what sailors are, they know how to swing the lamp!

Regards
Alan

[SCRG1970]

Alan

Have enclosed copies of the unofficial Emerald crest. One is on a pamphlet produced by the ship in the mid-30s. The same crest is used with a naval crown on the Xmas card ,unfortunately undated but photo inside sugeests early 30s. The third is on the route card dated 1937 to 1938.

An ex Emerald assures me that this crest was affixed to the bridge and he never saw the official one used. I dont have any photographic evidence to back this up.

Enjoy.

Gerry

[unseen]

Quite an interest in badges here, but what do they mean and does the ships motto act in the design of the badge

Regards

[SCRG1970]

Hi Unseen

The ships badge is really a modern day link with the old ships figureheads and going back further to the designs painted on ancient sails. Its all about identification.

Most of the the present day badges have a link with a previous famous figure or event. Quite often the motto is also tied to this personage , alternatively badge and motto can be a pun on the ships name.

Hope this whets your appetite!

Regards

Gerry

[vivian]

I've been looking at the badge for HMS Exmoor and wondering what the two crossed pieces are. Don't laugh but they look like tails to me. Does anyone know? And how does it then relate to Exmoor?. :confused:

Hi to BlackShuck..... I'm curious about what "BlackShuck" means in relation to Norfolk/Suffolk border", and what is on your great looking Avatar.
KInd regards, Vivian.:)

[SCRG1970]

Vivian

You are right they are tails.

Exmoor was named after the Somerset Foxhunt and hence sports two fox brushes on her badge.

Regards

gerry

[vivian]

Ah! That's an interesting link and not obvious without more knowledge. Thanks for that Gerry,

regards
Vivian

[alanbenn]

Gerry, very interesting seeing the leaflet with the Emerald badge, it is possible they used the unofficial version for such things and possibly christmas cards etc.

The badge on the bridge however would be the official one, as it is crown property and would have to bear the badge recognised by the Crown.

As a matter of interest, the badge was taken from that of Captain Gilchrist of the Southampton which captured the French ship Emeraude in the 1700's

Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

Regarding the badge of Hms Exmoor, the badge depicts 2 foxes tails as already mentioned surrounded by stars. The Somerset foxhunt was know as the 'stars of the west' dating back to 1869.


Regards
Alan

[SCRG1970]

Alan

Thanks for info on Emerald. It really does open up a can of worms as to what a ship was supposed to do and what it actually did. I think it may have been down to the skipper!Have enclosed a scan from "The Irish Flagship" by Geoffrey Haskins ,its not very clear but definitely the unofficial badge on the bridge.

I have attempted to contact Tom Stopford .the author of "Admiralty Ships Badges" , on the Emerald but no reply.

Have just come across some info on unofficial submarine badges produced by Cecil Broad an Admiralty Overseer at Barrow-in-Furness from 1936. It appears that up to 10 boats survived the war and for some reason were never given an official badge or in the case of Sea Rover did not adopt it and used his designs instead. Wartime pressures probably meant this went overlooked.

Regards

Gerry

[alanbenn]

Hi Gerry, a fascinating photo showing the Badge of Emerald which is not the official one. There must have been exceptions I suspect, it is entirely possible that the ship may have put forward this design for official status and so continued to use it until it was granted, she may have been de-commissioned before the badge was given official status, thus the original pattern stands although obviously not used.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, Hms Repulse also declined the official badge and continued using her old badge up to tragic end.


Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

As promised previously here are the 1st batch of Fleet Air Arm Squadron badges....wouldn't want to leave out the 'Airy-Fairies' would we??


Regards
Alan

[unseen]

Some Submarine Badges

[alanbenn]

The 2nd batch of Fleet Air Arm Squadron badges, for the few that appear to be interested, although no-one upto now has commented on these works of art??????


Alan
(disgruntled)

[bob shayler]

Hi Alan,
I think they are works of art as well. My apologies for not commenting before,
regards,
Bob

[SCRG1970]

Alan I think they are appreciated for the artistic merit but doubly so when you realise the history behind it.

Keep them coming !!

Regards

gerry

[alanbenn]

Bob and Gerry, thanks ever so much for those kind comments, there are few places where you can obtain FAA Squadron badges, so it suprised me somewhat that there appeared to be little interest, yet there are several requests for pic's of carriers and quite an interest in Aircraft too!

still I will continue to post the squadron badges in batches of 10.

There are a total of 116 squadrons....each one a work of art.


Regards
Alan

[astraltrader]

Although up to now I have never explored any of these badges they are brilliant Alan and a real asset to the forum.

[jbryce1437]

Just catching up on a backlog of posts following my hols and pleased to see this thread is very popular. Many thanks to Alan for his works of art.
Just to see a ships crest brings a mental picture of the ship in question, especially those that were in commission when I served in the 60's and 70's.
Just about every pub in a Naval port had a large collection of ships crests adorning every nook and cranny :D;)

[alanbenn]

Terry & Jim thanks for the comments regarding the Squadron badges, I too remember seeing loads of badges in the Local pubs, during my time aboard Ark Royal we got the Freedom of the city of Leeds, we were invited to Yorkshire TV studios to record songs for the old programme Stars on Sunday with Jess Yates to be shown on Remembrance Sunday, billed as the Ark Royal choir although we were'nt a choir, we were the Royal Guard. Anyway we gave a presentation badge to the cast of Emmerdale who were recording their show, still see it in the 'Woolpack' from time to time, in fact they have a few, I also noticed one of Hms York.

Here's the next batch of Squadron badges.

Alan

[historydavid]

Alan, I find these "air" badges as fascinating as those of the ships, so please keep them coming.

In your last post, the 772 Sqn badge indicates that you have worked on it to make it like the embellished ships badges that you have displayed. This raises the question of how realistic your worked badge is compared with the others you have posted, which show a great variance in colour/shade of the surround and crown?

Please don't take my query as indicating that you are in any way wrong, as I am simply trying to assertain whether the badge surrounds were variable or of a constant colour. Being a landlubber I have no experience of either ships or squadron badges.

[SCRG1970]

David

Re your comments on the crest surrounds and variance in shade. All designs are submitted to the College of Heralds for official adoption and registration.
The early ones were submitted in watercolour and consequently there was quite a difference in shade. The rope surround can vary from a silvery gold to a dark yellow gold.
I think the more modern ones will have been computer coloured but they show variance of shade. The ones manufactured by the "Chippy" on board will have been painted in whatever shade of blue ,red etc he had to hand.
The official description from the College of Heralds will just specify the colour in French e.g Or = Gold.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Gerry

[alanbenn]

David, regarding your question, as already pointed out the originals were all water colour paintings, all done at the time by some of the countries leading 'artists' and so there were variations in the crown and surrounding rope. The actual paintings vary greatly too depending on the artist, some are quite basic, whilst others are very intricate.

Most of mine also vary from the originals as some of them didn't look good when scanned and needed re-painting digitally, hence some have different crowns. I used a blank crown and rope, so I only needed to concentrate on the actual painting then once completed put it inside the blank template.

Took numerous years to achieve the end result.

Here's the next batch of Squadron badges 11 this time to end the 700 series.

Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

Following on from the previous post, here's the templates I made so that if a badge wasn't good all I needed to do was repaint it (digitally) then cut it out and replace it into the corresponding shape.


Regards
Alan

[huw896]

Hi All,
An excellent thread, but I haven`t seen the excellent book "Admiralty Ships Badges (Original Patterns) 1919-1994" (Vol I & II)" by T.P. Stopford mentioned anywhere which is a very good source for a great many Royal navy Ships Badges.....

[tonclass]

The books are very rare Huw. I've spoken to Tim Stopford (AKA JONTY), on the phone and he doesn't have any copies left. He did try a few years ago to create a CD version but this proved to expensive to do, and so the originals have become very expensive (if you can find them).

I still don't have copies, but I know someone who does (next best thing!!)

[alanbenn]

I have heard of these books on a few occassions, some mention Volumes 1 and 2, some mention addendums?

I have seen a set advertised on Ebay for around £50 so they are quite rare.
Of the others that are available they aren't that good I don't think they cover all the ships.

Regards
Alan

[tonclass]

Correct Alan. If I'd seen them on eBay for £50 I'd have snapped them up straight away.

[historydavid]

Alan & Gerry, many thanks for your explanations of colouring and shading.

[SCRG1970]

Alan

Super collection of Squadron badges, didnt realise there were so many.

Any history on the reason for the individual designs ?

Regards

gerry

[alanbenn]

Gerry, Afraid I don't have any history on the individual designs but no doubt they would have followed the same guidelines as the Ships badges.

Obviously Squadrons were deployed among several ships and Air stations and so it would seem appropriate to give them their own badge as identity.

Here's the next batch of 10 Squadrons.

Regards
Alan

[SCRG1970]

Alan

I have looked (quickly) through Stopfords two volumes and can`t trace Squadron Badges.

They are so professional they must have been approved by the Admiralty and the College of Heralds wouldn`t you say?

I have emailed the FAA Museum at Yeovil to see if they can help and will keep you posted

Regards

gerry

[alanbenn]

Gerry, the squadron badges are the official badges as passed by the admiralty in exactly the same way as ships badges, the are seldom seen anywhere else on the internet which is why I was a bit puzzled at the start as to why no one seemed that interested. I am not aware of anywhere else that have the full 116 squadron badges, the FAA museum website don't display them either.

So the members here really are fortunate to see these rarities.


Next batch to follow shortly.

Regards
Alan

[astraltrader]

Absolutely Alan. Without any doubt this is one of the very best threads in the forum.

[jbryce1437]

I always wondered why the RN couldn't have produced embroidered patches of the ships crest which could have been sewn to No8 shirts etc. Similar to what the fly boys had on their flying suits and what the USN ships proudly displayed on their baseball caps.
They would have been great for collectors and a lot cheaper, lighter and take up less space than a mounted ships crest:D

[alanbenn]

Thanks for the kind comments Terry.


Jbryce, I can't agree with you there my friend, it would have been far more costly for every matelot to have patches for everyone of his uniforms, for every ship he ever served on. I moved to 4 different places within a year by the time I would have finished sewing on one set of badges, I'd be taking them off and sewing another lot on.....


I suppose that's another reason they are so collectable too! and what makes us different to everyone else...not many nations are as steeped in History.

Next batch for your perusal...
Regards
Alan

[jbryce1437]

It would be a dull world if everyone agreed with everyone else;)

[alanbenn]

Jim, I agree with you there...it would be a dull world if everyone agreed!

Anyway next batch of FAA Squadron badges...............



Regards
Alan

[vivian]

Hi Alan, I'm really enjoying this thread....all of the badges are remarkable. I've been waiting for 824 to come up (and it did in your last post) as the info I have on HMS Striker, Escort Carrier, my Dad's ship says that it carried 824 Squadron.

Thanks for all of these. They are so impressive and your efforts are much appreciated.

[alanbenn]

Vivien, thank you so much for your kind comments, 824 sqdn were indeed aboard Hms Striker, they also served aboard Eagle and Argus.

There are several more yet to come, I find them all fascinating, the artists had some imaginations to come up with some of these designs don't you think?

Regards
Alan

[vivian]

Yes Alan, it boggles the mind how they came up with all of these designs. They are works of art no doubt about it. And thanks for the extra info 824, Eagle and Argus.

Cheers :)

[alanbenn]

The next instalment of Squadron badges.....



Regards
Alan

[ceylon220]

The books are very rare Huw. I've spoken to Tim Stopford (AKA JONTY), on the phone and he doesn't have any copies left. He did try a few years ago to create a CD version but this proved to expensive to do, and so the originals have become very expensive (if you can find them).

I still don't have copies, but I know someone who does (next best thing!!)

Try Abe Books, if there is one about they will find it.

[ceylon220]

The FAA badges are great but come on lads how about giving some detailed information such as :what shore bases or carriers these squadrons were attached to etc,etc.

[alanbenn]

Dave, the ships and bases for the squadrons is quite exhaustive, there were numerous airfields in countries around the globe just for the duration of the war, there is a list on the FAA website. Even the ships can be quite long for example 807 squadron.....Hms Argus, Ark Royal, Battler, Eagle (1), Furious and Hunter....possibly more.

If anyone else would like to undertake this task please feel free, sadly I work full time and can't devote that amount of time.


Here's the next batch of badges.

Regards
Alan

[nogrub]

A few more squadron badges, not as good as the other posts,but it does show that the badges are Admiralty approved.
21339

21340

21341

21342

21343

[SCRG1970]

Nogrub

Nice set of badges and from the submission to the authorities. May I ask where they came from or were copied from ??

Regards
gerry

[alanbenn]

Nogrub, thanks for displaying those few photo's to show the official admiralty sanction. All of my photo's are like that, the writing has been removed digitally to give the finished version for displays etc. but the originals are exactly as you have shown.

Here is the next batch of Squadron badges....


Regards
Alan

[nogrub]

Gerry.

I got them from a friend, who sent them by E'Mail.
They were sent to guide me to a site on Google,which was selling CDs covering a lot of Naval material, if I remember correctly it was in Plymouth.
If you require further information I can contact him for other details

Regards

Harry

[alanbenn]

Nogrub, your Hms Snipe badge avatar looks a little out of focus....
here's a decent photo of it you can adjust if you wish.


Regards
Alan

[nogrub]

Re Ships Badges.

Alan

Thank you. HMS Snipe was my first sea going ship. I shall change it.
I have another request, have you a decent HMS Eastbourne badge the one I have is rather dull. Once again thank you.

Regards

Harry

[SCRG1970]

Gerry.

I got them from a friend, who sent them by E'Mail.
They were sent to guide me to a site on Google,which was selling CDs covering a lot of Naval material, if I remember correctly it was in Plymouth.
If you require further information I can contact him for other details

Regards

Harry
Harry
Would appreciate that cheers ops

Gerry

[alanbenn]

Harry, here's the badge for Hms Eastbourne as requested......


Regards
Alan

[historydavid]

In order not to side-track this thread I have posted details of some FAA / Ship allocations in the RN Ships and Crews section.

[nogrub]

Alan.

Thank you for HMS Eastbourne,s ships badge, its the best one I have seen.

Regards

Harry

[nogrub]

Dave.

I have T.P. Stopfords set of Admiralty Ships Badges, plus an addendum original patterns 1995 - 1998, it contains a further 16 badges
Agrippa,Bangor,CWTA, Eaglet,Flying Fox,Grimbsy,Kent,Pembroke,Penzance,Portland,Ramsey ,Scott,Sea Chieftain,Sea Crusader,Shoreham,and Wave Ruler.

Regards

Harry

[nogrub]

Gerry.

I have sent you a PM.

Regards

Harry

[Odin]

I wondered is there a ships badge for HMS Espiegle out there? Probably not as the name has been used several times for smaller vessels, the last time in WWII for a minesweeper. I believe they didn't have individual badges back then. My particular interest is the WWI Sloop which was also about the last ship the in Royal Navy to have a figure head.

[astraltrader]

A lovely old ship Odin.

This is for you...

[astraltrader]

As well as this...

[Odin]

Thanks very much for those photos Terry. I have a couple but yours are much clearer than those I have.

It's a pity that there aren't any colour pictures of this ship because at one time her C/O Wilfrid Nunn (later Vice Admiral), when asked if he wished to change the colour of the figurhead's hair, he opted for green (apparently some ladies at that time were wearing green wigs at dance clubs). There can't have been many ship's figureheads in the Royal Navy with green hair!

[astraltrader]

A pleasure Odin. It would be great to have a colour picture of her.
Still dont give up - you never know what tomorrow will bring up!
Any new picture at all of the ship that I find I will post in the forum for you.

[alanbenn]

Odin, here's the badge for espeigle, funny looking thing this one...


Regards
Alan

[SCRG1970]

Alan/Odin

Stopfords description is "The practical joker in theatre called Tilleunspiegel. Also a prize name of 1799."

Someone had a sense of Humour!

Regards
Gerry

[Odin]

Alan / Gerry

Thanks very much for that, was doubting if one had ever been produced. The name comes originally from a French prize that was taken in the 1790s. The meaning of the French word is mischievous or roguish - which explains the strange badge

[alanbenn]

Gerry, Thanks for the explanation for the Espiegle badge, makes sense now. Clever folks these artists.

Regards
Alan

[CYLLA]

My last sea going ship was the ARLINGHAM, and i have put her crest on the ship ,as my sig.

cylla

[alanbenn]

Cylla, the badges for these craft are also fascinating, originally classed as below the size of ship to be given individual badges they were allocated the 'type' badge. Interestingly, the other 'type' minesweepers also got their own 'type' badge.


Here's my versions of them.... name box is blank so any name can be added.
1......TON CLASS
2......FORD CLASS
3......HAM & LEY CLASS

Regards
Alan

[CYLLA]

Hi Alan,
YES they are very interesting set of badges,i have her name on her,s [arlingham] but hard to make out ,on my sig.


cylla

[astraltrader]

Hi Alan - I just wondered what your HMS Exeter badge looked like?
I have seen 3 that are all slightly diff.

[ChalkyWhite]

Hello Dave,

I've got both Admiralty Ships Badges books and both signed by Tom Stopford if ever I can help out with a particular badge. Also several shrets of additions 1995 - 1998 for new ships. 1998 was when I obtained my books from Tom Stopford.

The books not only contain the coloured badges of course but the origins of badges, the meaning of the badge, description of it's ancestry in heraldry if any, etc, etc.
Described are the different sizes, and shapes, for capital ships, etc and of how when the design was approved it went to a specialist firm for carving in wood before ending up in Chatham Dockyard for casting in brass.

I reckon your thread has given pleasure to many people. Well done.

Chalky White

[jbryce1437]

Interesting stuff about the generic badges for different classes of minesweepers. Were there any other classes that had generic badges? Possibly some where there were a prolific number of ships in the class, such as Bar boats, or did they all have different badges?

[tonclass]

I seem to remember BAR boats had a large anchor in the centre of their badge, and I'm pretty sure it was generic to the class, Jim.

[alanbenn]

Terry, a little uncanny but I have just got my latest photo of exeter Yesterday and scanned it today when I finished my nightshift.
So here's the badge and latest photo of her for you.


Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

Here are a few more of the 'type' badges...

1......Boom Defence Vessels
2......Fast Patrol Boats
3......Fleet Tugs
4......Tank Cleaning Vessels
5......Wireless Transmitter/receiver stations
6......X craft vessels


Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

carrying on the thread of FAA Squadrons, I thought It would be nice to include the Canadian squadrons too.


regards
Alan

[jbryce1437]

I didnt realise that there were so many generic badges. I suppose, when you sea a crest, your eyes are first drawn to the name of the vessel and the motif below that gets only a cursory glance. Following the posts on this thread I will be more aware.
The Canadian squadron badges are really good, particularly with the incorporation of the motto.

[alanbenn]

The 2nd batch of Canadian Squadron badges, these are very similar to our own R.A.F station and Squadron badges.


Regards
Alan

[blackshuck]

Alan sorry for the delay but thanks for the Exmoor badge.
Regrards to pictures of her they seem to be few and far between.

[lisamcd]

Hi there...can I see some badges of southampton,Iron Duke,Monarch,Bluebell,Pembroke and Columbine please?...These would be nice for my dad...I could get cross stitch charts done..For Christmas(Sorry..I know its early!!!**)
Thanks to everyone!!!!
Lisa

[astraltrader]

Terry, a little uncanny but I have just got my latest photo of exeter Yesterday and scanned it today when I finished my nightshift.
So here's the badge and latest photo of her for you.


Regards
Alan


Sorry Alan - only just seen your reply!

Excellent on both counts - and thank you very very much.

[alanbenn]

Terry, thanks for the comments, photo of Exeter I really like, it's the only decent one I have although I do have a few more.


Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

Lisa, here are the badges that I can supply you with, you will notice there are 2 for Pembroke. There is one that is the modified version, you may use either, obviously the first one was the original.

Hms Monarch sadly was not officially issued with a badge.


Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

My apologies for overlooking the post regarding Hms Penn, this must have been whilst I was in hospital.

As pointed out in that thread the Lion is indeed 'Black' and not 'Red'.
This happens regularly with some of the Plaster/resin badges as they are not as detailed and painted to suit, some are also changed slightly to overcome Copyright laws.

Regards
Alan

[SCRG1970]

Lisa

Here is the unofficial badge for Monarch

Regards

gerry

[lisamcd]

Hi Alan & Gerry...Thankyou so much!!!!
Lovely badges...I'm going to get a book on them...were existing badges all modified and changed after the first world war do you think?
Thanks again!!
Lisa x

[SCRG1970]

Lisa

Re your question. Badges started to be officially approved in 1919 but it obviously took years to desgn, approve and manufacture.

Only ships that were in the fleet , and shore bases of course, had badges approved and those that went for scrap or sunk etc before the Admiralty got around to approving a badge went without.

Prior to the official badges some ships designed and wore their own badge e.g. the one for Monarch that I posted.

Alan has got the official badges to hand and has made a firstclass job of improving the quality. My interest is mainly the unofficial ones !!

Its a fascinating thread and you could get hooked !!!!

Any questions please ask

Best regards

Gerry

[nogrub]

Alan.

Do you have the Ships Badge for HMS Urania, she was in the 6th Frigate Squadron. Photo's of her are rare,but I have never found her Badge.

Best regards

Harry

[battlestar]

G'Day People

This is a great thread, and the crests are great, I love them. But I hadn't seen any Ausssie ones, so here are some from the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm!

723 Squadron currently equipped with AS350 Squirrel helicopters
816 Squadron currently equipped with S-70B Seahawk helicopters
817 Squadron currently equipped with SK50 Westland Sea King helicopters (To be replaced by the NH-90)

805 Squadron was commissioned in 2001 for the Sea Sprite Helicopter, but with the cancellation of the program, the Squadron was decommissioned last month.

HMAS Albatross is the home of the RAN FAA in Nowra NSW.

The RAN Aviation Group is the overall command for Naval Aviation, you can find out more at - http://www.navy.gov.au/Aviation_Group

Enjoy

[SCRG1970]

Nice badges and good to see the Naval Crown still being used

Regards

gerry

[alanbenn]

Ian, as an avid collector of ships badges etc, I have tried for several years to get hold of the Australian badges, there are no books available as far as I know which illustrate them, similar to the books mentioned here on this thread regarding Uk ships badges.
Most of the websites that display some of the badges the images are too small to bother with and after being in touch with R.A.N they want loads of money for the copyright, so if I'm honest, I have lost all interest in Australian Navy issues. I will continue to add to my fine collection of Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and other Navies that actively promote their History.....apologies if I offend, it is not intentional but something I feel strongly about.

Regards
Alan

[alanbenn]

Harry, with great pleasure here's the badge for Urania, photo's of her are hard to find I only have one with penn. No. R05


By the way I have updated my collection with those additional badges, spent all weekend re-touching them and they have come out great.

Regards
Alan

[nogrub]

Alan

Thank you for Urania's Badge, it completes my collection of past ships badges.

Regards
Harry

[rumrat]

Harry ,
Here's a photo of URANIA taken January 1957,on the off chance that you haven't seen this shot before .
Regards
Dave

[nogrub]

Dave.

Thats a great Photo,thank you very much.

Regards

Harry

[joseph bonnici]

Hi Alan & Gerry...Thankyou so much!!!!
Lovely badges...I'm going to get a book on them...were existing badges all modified and changed after the first world war do you think?
Thanks again!!
Lisa x

im excited to see these badges. i worked at hm dockyard at malta and my job was a signwriter and i used to paint a lot of them on lifebuoys and crests. well done hope to see many more of them . thanks

[alanbenn]

Dave, that's a cracking photo of Urania thanks for posting that onto the thread.


Joseph, thank you for the comments, can you remember any particular ships on which you did the badges?


Regards
Alan

[tonclass]

Alan, I have the Oz 'ton' badges at a decent size if you're interested ?

[alanbenn]

Rik, yes please would be very interested, any edition to my collection is most welcomed.

Regards
Alan


sending you a pm regarding another badge.

[tonclass]

Ok then. Here goes:

[tonclass]

Anyone got any decent sized pics of the South African 'Tons' badges ?

[lisamcd]

Hi Alan & Gerry again...Do you have the badges for Ramilies and the Columbine?And by the way Alan...Thankyou for pointing out my Grandads last ship was the Columbine up to 1926 and not the 'Columbian' as I thought as it was , because when he was serving at Port Edgar in Scotland on the Columbine he must have met my Grandmother...She was a petite ,fiery (but lovely!)Scotswoman!
Regards
Lisa

[CYLLA]

To all of you who have been on a "west indies" commiss,....and your first stop was BERMUDA.
How many ships crests can you remember seeing ,along the wall, or other places where "jack" could paint a crest.

It was a very favorite spot to do some handy work. :)

[joseph bonnici]

its a long time now. i entered hm dockyard in 1958 at the age of 14. some of the badges i paint were (trafalgar, camperdown, lagos, dainty ,daring defender,agincourt,battleaxe,ursa,undaunted,troubr idge,zest,many ton class m/sweepers,surprise,woodbridge haven and so on. joe bonnici

[astraltrader]

Good information Cylla and Joseph. Does anybody know if they are still there - or if not when they went?

[rumrat]

I was in Bermuda 1970-72 0n PHOEBE as West Indies Guardship we painted our crest on the dockyard wall along with all the others but sadley now the dockyard is in decline a old oppo of mine was there last year. The old Dockyard at Ireland Island is still there more or less, there has been some attempts to restore the ships crests around the dockyard walls and buildings but not with much success as most are beyond repair .The yard is now used for commercial shipping ie cruise ships etc .
Here's a few pix of what remains.
Regards
Dave

[alanbenn]

Sadly I never got to Bermuda, fascinating pics of the badges painted on the Dockyard wall, shame it's gone into decline, it would have been worth preserving surely?


Regards
Alan

[astraltrader]

Thanks a lot for those Dave. What a shame to see that interesting history such as those are being allowed to rot/fade away.

As Alan rightly said, surely they would have been worth preserving them?

I would have thought that it would have been a popular photo-point for all the cruise ship passengers.

[tonclass]

Hello !!!! ??? Again, has anyone got any decent sized pics of the South African 'Tons' badges ?
(Would be nice if someone actually acknowledged a posting once in a while !! - I know Terry suffers from the same problem.......)

A simple 'NO' would have sufficed !!




(apologies if this offends but I'm full of the cold [Man-Flu] and have been in bed till 1pm today/yesterday & and have the patience of a serial killer !!!!!!)(Cough!)

[rumrat]

Sorry to hear of your ailments old boy stay in bed and drink lots of RUM
I ain't got any crest of S/A tons either.
Will get back to you later regarding your e-mail.
Regareds
Dave

[nogrub]

Dave.

I was on Ireland island in 1952 when the dockyard was in its final destoring, there was an R & R camp close by, the Malabar club was still in use, and the senior Officer lived in RNOs cottage.

I dont know if these are still in in use.

I served on Hms Phoebe in 1968, it was not a happy ship in those days, I hope you had a happier time.

Regards

Harry

[alanbenn]

Rik, hope your man-flu improves rapidly, sorry to say I don't have any S.A badges at all.


Regards
Alan

[rumrat]

Harry,
Re MALABAR,
Spent Christmas 71 alongside at Hamilton as guardship for the talks between Ted Heath and Tricky Dickie Nixon which were held onboard GLAMORGAN lots of secret squirrels running aound like headless chickens.
Did a couple of maintenance periods in MALABAR as it was our base port for the west indies guardships,also a drydocking at Chaggers (Can't spell the correct version ) after the navi rammmed the jetty in the Bahamas and bent the bow
Have plenty of fond memories of the Trap (Star of Indian Club) as it was known locally, 6d would buy you a very large shot of any poison that took your fancy there was plenty of bonny sights to be seen after midnight i can tell yer.
PHOEBE wasn't the best ship i sailed on but as always in the mob you have to make the best of things.
Regards
Dave

[alanbenn]

Joseph, here are some of the badges that you requested via PM sorry I can't do the full list as it was quite a long list.


Regards
Alan

[joseph bonnici]

hello alan thanks for your response. i appreciate it a lot. much obliged. joseph

[SCRG1970]

Alan

Welcome back. Did you see Lisas request for Ramillies and Columbine? I expect you have them if not let me know and I will post.

Regards
gerry

[alanbenn]

Gerry, yes I sent Lisa a PM to send her the badge for Ramillies in large format, Columbine wasn't issued a badge. I'm still waiting to hear from Lisa.


Regards
Alan