Canada Flashes

[Gino]

I recently saw a picture taken in a ship's messdeck c 1968 where a sailor has Canada flashes on the sleeves of his gunshirt. Does anyone know if that was common practice as I don't think I've seen that before. I know that rate badges were worn, though.

[RCN]

Gino I noted your post when you first inserted it, & thought about it,but before responding wished to speak to a couple other RCN vets I know that were in the same time as me as my memory is not what it used to be & we are looking back at a "difficult time" in the history of the RCN, or as it was then, the CAF(N)!
In the pre 1968 RCN Canada titles were not worn on the white fronts (gunshirts), but yes, the rate(trade) & rank badges were worn, but this was not compulsory. Most of the guys just wore their hook(s) {ie: LS & PO2} on the white fronts.

During & after 1968 there were many changes (& fairly quick changes) in the uniform & insignia of the old RCN. It is quite possible that Canada titles were worn in that two year pre green uniform changeover period. The two former sailors I spoke to seem to recall the Canada titles being worn but could not be 100% certain. It may have been optional & might depend upon where the rating was serving - ie: the ship or establishment Captain's policy at the time.

One change we all recalled quite clearly was the addition of the crown over the LS anchor to denote the new rank of Master Seaman.

Hope this helps somewhat.....

Bryan

[Gino]

Many thanks for taking the time to look into that. It may well have been a product of the interval between Unification and the ubiquity of the jolly green garbage bag.

WRT the MS badge, I have heard about it and it was even referred to in the post-Unification seaman's handbook CFP 152, but I have never actually seen any photos of someone wearing it.

[RCN]

Gino I have never seen photos of a seaman wearing the post '68 MS (Master Seaman) Insignia but I have seen the insignia on a seaman's tunic in red on black (ie; the old number 2 rig) & black on white (ie: the old number 11 rig).

I have never seen a tunic with gold MS insignia, but I do have at least three examples of the gold embroidered MS insignia & have shown them here on the Forum.

I have also never seen the CFB 152 Seaman's Handbook you mention- might you post that section?.

B

[Gino]

I can give you a download link to the entire pub if you like, although it is 175MB in size. Interestingly, I was just skimming through it and in Ch 12, it shows photos of a killick in 2As passing a life line in a whaler, and lo and behold he has Canada flashes on his gunshirt. The pub is very much a 1970 update to BRCN 3029(62) Seaman's Handbook.

[RCN]

Originally Posted by Gino

Interestingly, I was just skimming through it and in Ch 12, it shows photos of a killick in 2As passing a life line in a whaler, and lo and behold he has Canada flashes on his gunshirt. The pub is very much a 1970 update to BRCN 3029(62) Seaman's Handbook.

Might you post the photo of the killick in2A's pls?

But the question now becomes "when was this photo taken?"
It could have been pre Integration, perhaps in the original BRCN 3029, or post 1968 period?

B

[Gino]

Originally Posted by RCN

Might you post the photo of the killick in2A's pls?

But the question now becomes "when was this photo taken?"
It could have been pre Integration, perhaps in the original BRCN 3029, or post 1968 period?

B

I would guess that since the photo is a series of about 5 showing how to pass the life line that they would probably have been taken specifically for this manual. Anyway, here you go.