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Naval Uniforms - World Naval Ships Forums Archive (Page 2)

Naval Uniforms (Page 2)

Posts 51 to 100

VIVID is [U]still [/U]the RNR division at Devonport! Mik

jumper so tight you needed assistance to get out of it. Burberry worn with white silk scarf, U shaped front of jumper instead of V shape, long tails from the silk bow & wider bell bottoms than pussers suits. Jack me tickler ashore turned back sleeve cuffs ( I used to envy American matelots they had the inside of their cuffs embroided) cap flat aback. On leave all the girls wanted to touch a sailors collar for luck. The crafty ploy of getting a girl to put her arms around you to hold down your collar when donning the Burb. The chant before shore leave " do us a sub, lend us a quid, give us a loan of your Burberry. All that compensated for lousy pay & food, great times! ;);):):):D:cool:

No one has mentioned night clothing yet, and by that I don't mean pyjamas! Number 2's or Number 3's without blue jean collar and without lanyard. Bob.

Of course. I remember the night clothing and trying to find a place to hide during evening rounds if you couldn't be bothered to change. I used to go up to the Opps room and play with the RADAR table when at sea Can't remember what No. is was assigned!

Night clothing was the rig when mustering on the flight deck for evening quarters. Most stokers used to prefer loafing about in a clean pair of overalls so went and hid when evening quarters was piped. There was a 'bit of a do' one day when only Knocker turned up by himself to represent the other 80 odd who should have been there. You can write your own scenario of the outcome. Re trade badges, I think qprdave is right. A star above and below the propellor could be an Acting POS(M) who has not yet obtained his Boiler Room Certificate. Incidentally, on that Mechanician's course were three Micky Mice (MMs or Motor Mechanics). These were diesel and petrol engine specialists from the motor trade who had been recruited to maintain the engines of MGBs and MTBs. They were highly skilled fitters but had to learn about steam plant following the reduction of the numbers involved in coastal forces after the war. Ken

[QUOTE=mik43;57133]VIVID is [U]still [/U]the RNR division at Devonport! Mik[/QUOTE] Sorry, meant to edit the "for a while" out, but it obviously didn't work.

[QUOTE=qprdave;57144]Of course. I remember the night clothing and trying to find a place to hide during evening rounds if you couldn't be bothered to change. I used to go up to the Opps room and play with the RADAR table when at sea Can't remember what No. is was assigned![/QUOTE] Night Clothing; noz 4.

[B]Well Gentlemen[/B]...........That got the grey cells twitching a tad........... Thank you all so much for your contributions .....for which I am very grateful and welcome to the new kids on the block.....Special thanks to Trotonelower for the detail of the clothing and remarks included Thank your Jan ....... but I was aware what a shirt lifter was ....you didn't need to be in the Navy to know that little gem Did any of you enjoy the use of ...for instance "Thai silk suits" I purchased a couple whilst in Thailand a couple of years ago and I think they are both the best fitting ,most comfortable and well made suits I have ever owned. The detail ,and attention to the lined trousers and stitching amazed me and the whole thing was measured fitted and made in two days..at a price £50 quid lower than I would pay for a suit off the rail in the UK.:)

Sorry to be a bit late with this one but.... I once served with a PO ex submariner who joined the ship in his No.4 suit, the rest of his kit was in a pussers holdall! Why No.4 suit - it was for working, for going ashore, for divisions, for PO of the Patrol (His last act as a PO but thats another story)...in fact 4 everything! He didn't last long Fairlead

[QUOTE=Jan Steer;56941]Almost as silly as seeing the present day female sailors in sailor suits!! best wishes Jan[/QUOTE] I`m with you there Jan, the old WRNS uniform was more suitable, but there again, they should`nt be on warships and classed as sailors.

Anybody remembers UNIFIT the navy tailors in Queen St, Portsmouth (no longer there). Just another reminder of wearing the uniform was when wearing a Burberry(raincoat) and having to ask the young girls to put their arms thro` to pull your collar straight-crafty way of getting a hug in those days----I noticed when I was down in Portsmouth 3 years ago the absence of the naval uniform on the street, is there a reason for this? What was the branch coloured strips in between the gold braid in the 50s, I remember the Purple for Engineers, White for Supply,Orange for the Doctors, and Green for Electrical, Exec branch had no coloured strip? and of course the Ministers of the church although they wore Officers uniform had no rank at all, was there any others that I`ve missed out. Dave

[B]"having to ask the young girls to put their arms thro` to pull your collar straight"[/B] Been there, Done it (Haven't we all) I know they stopp us wearing uniform ashore in the 1970s as the I.R.A. threatened to kill any servicemen saw in uniform. Certainly lost out getting rides when thumbing it home for W/end The colour strips which denoted non-exec. Officers, as you have said. It had stopped by the time that I joined in 1966. I seem to remember way back in the mists of time that Docs. retained theirs!

The only "Naval Jailor's" along Queen Street now, is Baun's. Although there is a former "Sew Sew" operating under the name of "Tailor Lee" a little further along. But not really the same thing. For branch colours, Naval Officers, try this... [url]http://www.gwpda.org/naval/perrncol.htm[/url] Not mentioned is the Corps of Naval Constructors, which if memory serves, was light grey.

Very interesting thread. My dad (RAN WW2) used to put the "wave" in his cap by bending it somehow on his knee. Couldn't be seen with a flat cap. He reckoned you could tell the "Poms" by their "Flat caps". He also used the trick of tying the tally around a coin and used to sow small lead sinkers in the cuffs of his No.1's to make them swirl better when he walked. What a lair! Unfortunately the flat cap seems to be the norm in the current RAN. Looks terrible. Have a photo of him in khaki shorts and khaki shirt with a square collar. Was this used only by the RAN?. Also, where does the term "tiddly suit" originate? Cheers Bruce

[QUOTE=Batstiger;57136]No one has mentioned night clothing yet, and by that I don't mean pyjamas! Number 2's or Number 3's without blue jean collar and without lanyard. Bob.[/QUOTE] I can also remember wearing winter rig where the blue (and extremely itchy:() jumper was worn instead of a white front.

[QUOTE=TrotOneLower;57125]Got my last noz one suite from "Tingaling's" in Tamar. Uniform 1965.[/QUOTE] Don`t suppose you have the up todate version of branch badges,mate---navy seem to give fancy names to the branches these days and as for the badge,just take the old Stokers propellor now used by the seamans branch and others ---very confusing to us old matelots!!!! :confused::confused::confused: Dave (ceylon220)

My old man (ex MN & RN) WHO SERVED DURING THE 1914-18 war as an A/B gunner made me a bow in my cap tally when I was in training at RALEIGH in 1953, he used a small button for the centre and a "tiddly" bow set over my left eye. Captains divisions day the Captain was inspecting the guard which I was one, he stopped in front of me, eyed me up from the boots to the hat, took a closer look at my tally and said :"The bow in your hat is not of this vintage" when I explained who had done it,he said to tell him that we do things differant in todays navy----old man was`nt too pleased with that when I told him. As I`ve read in other forums it seems as if the bow comes ready made now and is stitched to the tally---must be a load of thicko`s that can`t make a proper bow, stand by for aggro from serving members!!!!!! :rolleyes::) Thanks Trotone lower(funny title???) for the branch colours, I can remember them when I served in the early 50s and the medical staff still us it to this day an orange strip in between the braid----- I always thought that it was unfair that the poor old Padre was`nt given a rank in the Navy yet they are recognised in the Army, what are your thoughts on this. Dave (ceylon220)

Interesting thought about the Padre, Dave. I think they have a nominal rank but it is only that as not being 'ranked' as such allows them to go anywhere they please on a ship instead of being bound by tradition etc etc. Mik

I was led to believe that the Padre was always the same rank as the person that he was talking to.

That makes sense, but it is to logical to be correct, as everyone knows when has the navy, any navy, been logical!!! Mik

The Padre on the Hermes was a great guy. Very well spoken. He used to enjoy coming down the messdeck for a few beers. Always brought a crate down. He was reprimanded once for being down the Stokers mess socialising!!!! when he should have been in the Wardroom for one of their functions. He used to come down the SCR and sit at one of the sets and just ping around for an hour totally enjoying himself. I know that he used to do it with all the other departments.

Try this link for Branch Badges etc. Also gives a breakdown on "modern" uniform. A "Sparker" is now basically an internet operator....CIS. I also noted that CTs now have a branch badge. Not so when I were an (sub)mariner. No more Buntings, from what I could gather, hoisting and lowering flags is now the Buffer's job. [url]http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/rn-life/uniforms-and-badges-of-rank/royal-navy-branch-badges/[/url]

[QUOTE=ceylon220;57201]Anybody remembers UNIFIT the navy tailors in Queen St, Portsmouth (no longer there). Just another reminder of wearing the uniform was when wearing a Burberry(raincoat) and having to ask the young girls to put their arms thro` to pull your collar straight-crafty way of getting a hug in those days----I noticed when I was down in Portsmouth 3 years ago the absence of the naval uniform on the street, is there a reason for this? What was the branch coloured strips in between the gold braid in the 50s, I remember the Purple for Engineers, White for Supply,Orange for the Doctors, and Green for Electrical, Exec branch had no coloured strip? and of course the Ministers of the church although they wore Officers uniform had no rank at all, was there any others that I`ve missed out. Dave[/QUOTE] I think red for Doctors, Orange for Dentists, salmon pink for Wardmasters, silver grey for Constructers. The thin gold stripe for Warrent Officers went in about 1950.

[QUOTE=TrotOneLower;57348]Try this link for Branch Badges etc. Also gives a breakdown on "modern" uniform. A "Sparker" is now basically an internet operator....CIS. I also noted that CTs now have a branch badge. Not so when I were an (sub)mariner. No more Buntings, from what I could gather, hoisting and lowering flags is now the Buffer's job. [url]http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/rn-life/uniforms-and-badges-of-rank/royal-navy-branch-badges/[/url][/QUOTE] Now then TrotOneLower, 1st'ly re CT's... I wish we (S) branch geezers (way back then) ... had been given the level of pay now recognised as appropriate for CT's. and 2nd'ly you nearly ruined the myth mate:- I was always taught that there are no ex Submariners!!! once a [B]S[/B]ubmariner always a [B]S[/B]ubmariner. Please note you guys always qualify for a capital [B]S[/B] in my book. Little h

Still got my Dolphins. Received on the first issue by the then Capt SM1. These were of the "brooch" type, and the original issue has WJD B'ham, in relief, on the back. Unfortunately, no longer get my SSP(SM). Didn't go to slops and get my "Sausage on a Stick", so like everyone else, made do with the cap tally until the Dolphins were approved. Also joined as an RO(S), but we then had to remove our Wings, and accept "Tiffs" pay as poor compensation.

[QUOTE=spruso;57262]Very interesting thread. My dad (RAN WW2) used to put the "wave" in his cap by bending it somehow on his knee. Couldn't be seen with a flat cap. He reckoned you could tell the "Poms" by their "Flat caps". He also used the trick of tying the tally around a coin and used to sow small lead sinkers in th€e cuffs of his No.1's to make them swirl better when he walked. What a lair! Unfortunately the flat cap seems to be the norm in the current RAN. Looks terrible. Have a photo of him in khaki shorts and khaki shirt with a square collar. Was this used only by the RAN?. Also, where does the term "tiddly suit" originate? Cheers Bruce[/QUOTE] Bruce, Yes,the khaki rig was warn by the RAN as tropical rig,as opposed to the RN's whites. Look at my photo,that's it. I served in the RAN for a time in '43. Could'nt agree with you more about the caps,but I think it's because no one goes ashore in uniform any more,so has not the reason to be 'tiddly' - and I'm sorry I don't know the origin of the term,except to say it's been used for donkeys years.

In navy parlance "tiddley" is the seaman`s term for neat or smart - something that must be fussed over. I have looked to find out where the word originated from but with no luck at all. This link is quite interesting. [URL]http://www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org/resource_pages/sailor_life/tiddley.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=TrotOneLower;57397]Still got my Dolphins. Received on the first issue by the then Capt SM1. These were of the "brooch" type, and the original issue has WJD B'ham, in relief, on the back. Unfortunately, no longer get my SSP(SM). Didn't go to slops and get my "Sausage on a Stick", so like everyone else, made do with the cap tally until the Dolphins were approved. Also joined as an RO(S), but we then had to remove our Wings, and accept "Tiffs" pay as poor compensation.[/QUOTE] TrotOneLower good reply mate any chance you could contribute some info in your profile. I managed to pick up the inferences but me thinks it would assist others to more readily appreciate your service background. Little h

[QUOTE=TACKLINE;57414]Bruce, Yes,the khaki rig was warn by the RAN as tropical rig,as opposed to the RN's whites. Look at my photo,that's it. I served in the RAN for a time in '43. Could'nt agree with you more about the caps,but I think it's because no one goes ashore in uniform any more,so has not the reason to be 'tiddly' - and I'm sorry I don't know the origin of the term,except to say it's been used for donkeys years.[/QUOTE] Thanks for that info. I think my dads shirt was converted to a "camp shirt" when I was in the Boy Scouts. Had a lot of navy badges and stuff sewn on it. Wish I'd have kept it now as some of those items would have been good to hand down to my kids. Cheers Bruce

[QUOTE=astraltrader;57415]In navy parlance "tiddley" is the seaman`s term for neat or smart - something that must be fussed over. I have looked to find out where the word originated from but with no luck at all. This link is quite interesting. [URL]http://www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org/resource_pages/sailor_life/tiddley.html[/URL][/QUOTE] Hi all, Interesting thread - just saw your mention of tiddly/tiddley and remembered that my Dad finished off one of his stories about his MGB357 (post#34 Aegean Memories)with "it was a lucky, tiddly little boat." I'd always just thought that he was referring to it being small - although it did strike me as a bit strange that he used two words for little. But as Astraltrader says the meaning - "neat, smart - something that must be fussed over" fits the bill better, as I know that's what my Dad and his fellow crew members thought of their little boat. Regards, Bee p.s. I'll see if I can find out where it originated from.

Joined at St George, Gosport and was issued with pusser's kit that fitted where it touched. The classes ahead of us gave us the address of a lady off Queen's Street, Portsmouth who would tailor the No 2 suits on the spot. Went there with some mates and was told to stand still while she checked the jumper. She just seemed to grab a handful of cloth and the told me to get it off. Ripped up the seams, cut chunks off and machined it back together. Twenty minutes later it fitted like a glove. Cost 5 shillings but was worth every penny. Later was able to get a No 1 suit with gold badges from a naval tailor having had to scrounge the clothing cupons. Remember them? Ken

Thanks Bee - please call me Terry!:)

Will do Terry:) (Apologies if I occasionally forget - as the "Originally posted" message comes up with the top name...e.g. "Astraltrader"...in your case - and as I've got same name "Bee" top and btm (as have some others) - I sometimes use that inadvertently.:o Regards, Bee

[quote=astraltrader;57471]Thanks Bee - please call me Terry!:)[/quote] [SIZE=3][B]HUH ...[/B][SIZE=2]and they call me a smooth operator ![/SIZE][/SIZE] :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[QUOTE=Francis Stanley;57287]I can also remember wearing winter rig where the blue (and extremely itchy:() jumper was worn instead of a white front.[/QUOTE] Us more sensitive skinned ratings of the Radio Branch cut the itchy jersey down, sewed it on a white front and under No 1s it was perfect!!! Regards Gerry

Curse it Ivor. Nothing seems to get past you!:eek:

[QUOTE=astraltrader;57538]Curse it Ivor. Nothing seems to get past you!:eek:[/QUOTE] Terry that is because he [B][COLOR="Purple"][I]'Tap Toes' [/I][/COLOR][/B]his way around the Threads Little h

[quote=harry.gibbon;57540]Terry that is because he [B][COLOR=Purple][I]'Tap Toes' [/I][/COLOR][/B]his way around the Threads Little h[/quote] How the hell can anyone [COLOR=Magenta]"[B]TAP TOE[/B]"[/COLOR] wearing Fins I ask myself :confused:

Hello everyone. When the royal family are wearing naval uniform, do they still have thicker gold braid on their sleeves or is that a thing of the past. Kevin.

[quote=Kevin123;57547]Hello everyone. When the royal family are wearing naval uniform, do they still have thicker gold braid on their sleeves or is that a thing of the past. Kevin.[/quote] I think they do Kevin, I was reading a site about uniforms and I think it said on there that they still do

Hello Ivorthediver. I think the difference is about an eighth of an inch. I don't know why though. Kevin.

Probably the only people in the UK who can afford the extra gold!!!!!

[quote=qprdave;57685]Probably the only people in the UK who can afford the extra gold!!!!![/quote] Tell me about it..........

[QUOTE=oldsalt;57365]I think red for Doctors, Orange for Dentists, salmon pink for Wardmasters, silver grey for Constructers. The thin gold stripe for Warrent Officers went in about 1950.[/QUOTE] Still one missing. Blue for Education branch (Schoolies). Warrant Officers became Sub-Lieutenants in the early 50s when the WO rank was abolised. It was reinstated as I left the RN in 1963 on my 12. Rob T

With reference to the Naval Tailor; The Naval Tailor At one time a sailor could make a monthly allotment to his chosen Naval Tailor. A monthly allotment can be best described as like todays standing order from your bank. Except in the 1950’s and 60’s this was taken from your fortnightly pay and the navy would credit the Tailor. How much you allotted was up to you. As the Naval pay for a Junior rate, in those days was about £1 a day, it was common for the allotment to be about £1 a month. This got you £12 worth of credit from the tailor. Naval tailors that I recall were Jack Blair, Seagulls, Flemmings and Bernards. All located in Queen Street, Portsmouth. A good location as it was the closest road to the Naval Base and the RN Barracks. If you were into a blank week, ie the week after pay day and you were short of some run ashore monies, the answer was the Naval Tailor. If you were in credit with the tailor all fine but if not you started an allotment. You then visited your chosen tailor and purchased some goods, normally officers leather shoes. These were then taken to “Ma’s”, the old girl who had a shop, also in Queen Street, where you sold the asaid shoes for a greatly reduced price, but walking away with some run ashore dosh!:D I recall those tailors reps arriving on board promptly at noon and again at about 4.30, lugging the biggest suitcases in the world, topped up with their wares. The bosuns mate would pipe “ Bernards ( or whoever) Naval Tailors are now in attendance in the canteen flat”. If I recall, I bumped my Naval Tailor when I left the mob for the first time in 1978. Too late now to grab back their £12!!!!.....excuse me there is someone at the front door, with a big case and an allotment form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND the Bailiff.;)

Bernards (of Harwich), did a good trade knocking out Noz Ones for passing out Trogs. A Couple of thousand, not so tiddly blue suits every year. Hate to say this, but the Raleigh suits were much better. At Mercury we had Mr Daufman's, located in a Nissen hut opposite the OOWs and Clock Tower. Before one was moved and the other taken down for relocation. After the revamp, and Nissen huts became (with a few exceptions) a thing of the past, Jack Blair took up residence in the all noo supply block. (Sorry, just noticed that some of this has already been covered, never mind).

Robby, In 1948 the pay was 4 shillings a day...A £1 a day was riches beyond compare!

First of Robby,Welcome aboard WNSF, glad to see another ex Grey funnel joining us(add a bit more to your profile ie: service time,rate etc) your 1st piece on the forum "Navy tailors"----blank week a trip to your tailors, mine being Unfits in Queen St, no longer there, get a pair of shoes,any size and go next doors to Ma`s and get half price for them, mine were £4 a pair at the time-- £2 from Ma`s and this was your money for the nights run ashore---mind you a pint of beer was only 1/6p---2/6p to get into the Savoy Ball room at Southsea--a few more pints--fish & chips and a nights kip at Aggie Westons 2/- and still money left for a breakfast in the morning before reporting back to the ship---all this in 1950/60. Great night ashore,if only you could bring those days back---happy days! Regards. Dave(ceylon220)

[QUOTE=TrotOneLower;57863]Bernards (of Harwich), did a good trade knocking out Noz Ones for passing out Trogs. A Couple of thousand, not so tiddly blue suits every year. Hate to say this, but the Raleigh suits were much better. At Mercury we had Mr Daufman's, located in a Nissen hut opposite the OOWs and Clock Tower. Before one was moved and the other taken down for relocation. After the revamp, and Nissen huts became (with a few exceptions) a thing of the past, Jack Blair took up residence in the all noo supply block. (Sorry, just noticed that some of this has already been covered, never mind).[/QUOTE] you've got a PM awaiting you mate Little h

If you manage to spot a RN rating , ashore in uniform, it's most likely he/she will be in working dress. I have spotted them in Hull, from a visiting ship, & Plymouth. The last one I spotted at a bus stop on Royal Parade was in 8's chomping away on a giant sausage roll. These sightings brought on a feeling of shame & nostalgia for the good old days.

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