That makes sense. There was, maybe still is, a similar tradition in the American navy.
In the United States Navy the senior ranking ensign (equivalent to a second lieutenant, sub-lieutenant or pilot officer) on the lineal list of any warship, naval station, squadron, etc. was commonly referred to as the "Bull Ensign". This was a strictly unofficial custom, see link below, with no substance in naval regulations.
As far as identifying who these individuals were, based on their uniform, was rather difficult. In the USN no modification on either the sleeve rank insignia or shoulder boards was allowed. The most common form of identification might be the word "Bull" inscribed on the gold bar device worn on working/service dress khakis, working blues, aviation greens, garrison caps (forage caps for folks in this forum) and sundry outer garments (i.e. raincoats, etc.). These devices were usually passed down from one "Bull Ensign" to the next.
I've provided a link to a brief article on the matter to be found on the Naval Heritage Command's website.
Link:
https://www.history.navy.mil/researc...ll-ensign.html