Royal Navy - or Coast Guard?
 

Thoughts on the identity of the service of the man shown in the photo - his uniform looks naval but not quite - and the date it might have been taken - would be appreciated.

Jon

Royal Navy - or Coast Guard?
 

Hi Jon,

Not quite sure what your man is - I'll have to try and enlarge his cap badge to try and confirm what it is. Prior to 1923 the Coast Guard were administered by the Admiralty and since their ranks were made up of ex-RN personnel they formed a reserve for the Fleet. Their uniform was therefore virtually identical to that of the Royal Navy. Your man isn't wearing any RN uniform that I recognise. Since he appears to have a crown on his cap badge perhaps he's something like a Lifeboat Coxswain?

I'll try and enlarge an image of his cap badge and see if I can identify it. I'll also post some images of Coast Guards to show you what I mean about them wearing RN uniforms.

Pete

He could, perhaps, be from Trinity House. The 'crown' does not look evenly shaped and there appears to be quadrants on the main body of the badge.

Another suggestion, would he be in the RNLI?
Cheers, Tinto

I agree, Trinity House. The "crown" is actually the demi-lion holding a sword and resting on a torse. At least that's what it looks like to me.

The "demi lion" I couldn't for the life of me remember that. Cheers :)

I also agree about Trinity House. When I enlarged the image the quality wasn't very good but the shape of the 'crown' was noticeable and it was just possible to make out the quadrants on the badge.

As it seems to have been positively identified I won't bother posting the images of coastguards I put together!

Pete

I'm quite sure there are many of us who would still be interested in seeing the images you put together! As a serving Coastguard myself with a keen interest in the history of my service I would certainly like to see them please!

Tony

It now appears that the family of this man had connections with Hull so I'm wondering if he might be Royal Naval Reserve, Trawler Section?

Jon

Hull has a lighthouse

Royal Navy - or Coast Guard?
 

Here are some images of members of the Coastguard taken in the 1890s and 1900s. From the 1850s until the 1920s the Coastguard was administered by the Admiralty. It's members were all ex-RN and it was used by the Royal Navy as a reserve of experienced seamen. This is reflected by the uniforms worn by Coastguards during this period which are all basically standard naval uniform.

Jon - your man is not a member of the RNR(T). I have posted several images of them elsewhere on the site and a quick search will show that their uniform is very different from what your man is wearing.

Pete

Pete,

Thanks for the update. He remains a mystery.

Jon

Why does he remain a mystery?