Hi All,
Have found this very interesting and decided to add my small bit of information. I have collected (I think most of) the South African Navy trade badges and the collection can be viewed at:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...ome-and-garden.
The "trade badges" are also known as mustering badges or Non substantive badges because the level is not directly connected to the rank, although the collar badge does indicate a CPO rank. In the SA Navy the levels were
Just the badge: training (normally National Serviceman)
Star above: Part 1 (normally AB)
Star above and Below Part 2 (normally Leading Seaman)
Lion above and Star below Part 3 ( normally PO)
Lion above and two stars below Instr (normally CPO / WO)
Also issued the 3 colors Yellow on black (winter dress) Blue on white (work dress) and red on black (sea going tunic (red sea dress) discontinued late 1970's). I have tried to build up the collection of part 3 badges in yellow on black but have had to add some others where badges are not available. Hope this is of some interest and help.