Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section)

[Guzzman]

In 1910 the Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section) was formed to recruit and train fishermen for wartime service in minesweepers and other small warships.

Skippers became warrant officers, wearing the uniform of that rank. They could become chief skippers, who wore a single RNR type stripe. Enginemen, deckhands and trimmers all wore naval uniforms and badges featuring the letters RNR over the letter T.

All the references to their uniforms that I have come across simply refer to them wearing RNR buttons and I had always thought that they just wore the standard RNR buttons of the period.

However, I recently purchased a bag of buttons of a distinctive design I hadn't seen before and which were described as RNR (T) buttons. Where the Kings Crown would be on a normal naval button there were the letters 'R N R' around the rim with a letter 'T' beneath the 'N'. Beneath the 'T' is a foul anchor. Some images of the buttons are shown below. I have no reason to doubt that these are Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section) buttons.

I have also included an image of an RNR (T) Engineman and a close-up of one of his buttons. If you enlarge the image it is just possible to make out the letters at the top of the button.

As I say, I had never seen or heard of these buttons before and I am posting them here in the hope that they might be of interest.

Pete

[Guzzman]

I forgot to add that in 1921 the RNR (T) was abolished as a separate section of the RNR, so the buttons would only have been in use for about 11 years.

Pete

[Roy]

Hi Pete,

Fascinating details and buttons, many thanks for sharing these.

I have a passing interest as one of my rifles (part of an Admiralty purchase) it is believed was for use on trawlers.

I confess I haven't looked into the any details regarding these ships during WWI but from what I gather details are scant at best. So great to see your button discovery.

Cheerio,

Roy.

[elgee45]

Minesweeping trawlers were used in the Naval part of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, but they arrived after significant mine damage to the fleet was done, and the Naval attempt to force the straits had been abandoned.

[Alex Rice]

Fantastic, thanks for showing them. If there are any going spare, please keep me in mind!

[Shiny]

Perfect timing! I have just discovered a relative and found he was in the Tyneside Division of the trawler section, something I'd never heard of before.

Now I have an idea of what it was, thank you.

Michael

[btns]

I am taking the liberty to add a different design to this thread.
It has gothic letters R.N.T. and I have no reference to it at all.
With the black horn RNR (Trawler Section) buttons used by other ranks, could this be a warrant officers' button?

[Guzzman]

Alex

I've sent you a PM.

Pete

[Guzzman]

Morning btns

That's a very interesting button! It could well be a warrant officers button. The only other option I can think of it being is the Royal Naval Transport Service. Apart from their cap badges I have never heard anything at all about their uniforms and insignia. If they wore RN type rank insignia then it's quite feasible that they wore distinguishing buttons like the RNR and the RNVR. Certainly worthy of further investigation.

Pete

[Paul Spellman]

You may find this page interesting
www.mcdoa.org.uk if you look in branch history lots of info
Paul

[Paul Spellman]

The Royal Naval Patrol Service site
Which used Trawlers etc from 1939
www.rnpsa.co.uk

I picked up one of the badges recently
Paul

[Shiny]

What cap badge would a deck hand in the trawler section have worn?

Michael

[btns]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Morning btns

That's a very interesting button! It could well be a warrant officers button. The only other option I can think of it being is the Royal Naval Transport Service. Apart from their cap badges I have never heard anything at all about their uniforms and insignia. If they wore RN type rank insignia then it's quite feasible that they wore distinguishing buttons like the RNR and the RNVR. Certainly worthy of further investigation.

Pete

Thank you. You could well be right with your suggestion (Royal Naval Transport).

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by Shiny

What cap badge would a deck hand in the trawler section have worn?

Michael

Hi Michael
Coleman's book lists 4 variations.
Skipper - Gold and silver wire standard pattern ratins badge with silver anchor
with letters RNRT above anchor.
Deckhand/stoker - Same but red embroidered cotton
Engineman (1914) - All gold-wire badge with purple backing to gilt anchor and letters RNRT above anchor.
Engineman (1914-1921) - As above but gold and silver wire and silver anchor.
Cheers,
Alex

[Guzzman]

You beat me to it Alex!

Here's the cap badge for Deckhand/Trimmer RNR (T).

Pete