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  #16  
Old 08-12-20, 07:10 AM
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I originally saw the photograph on the "Frontline Ulster" website , they have a very informative article :

Guarding the Coast


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  #17  
Old 08-12-20, 09:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Rice View Post
Just to add my 5c worth. I have done a lot of research into Naval badges and have never seen candidate officers wearing armbands in the navy. I am highly doubtful that that is what it was for and the Coast Watch seems like a far more likely answer.
Cheers,
Alex
I've never seen Candidates for Wardroom wearing an armband either (just white bands round a ratings cap) but just remembered CW from the book! Good to get a definitive identification though. In 47 years of collecting and researching naval insignia (and more than half of that in or around the maritime world in the RN/RNR/RFA/MN/SCC and HM Coastguard) I had never come across such an armband, so purely a guess on my part!

Regards

Tony
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  #18  
Old 09-12-20, 06:51 AM
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Yes, good guess anyway, there are always exceptions to prove the rule...
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  #19  
Old 09-12-20, 01:19 PM
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I would just like to say many thanks to everyone for all their input and help. My guess that the armlet might be for a CW candidate was simply that - a guess. I didn't really think that would turn out to be the answer but it was all I could think of! I would never have correctly identified the armlet without the help of the members of this forum. The incredible knowledge of the members here never ceases to amaze me!

There is very little information anywhere on the Coast Watching Service and, as previously stated, just the one known photograph. So I guess the armlet is a pretty rare item!

And can I just take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And lets hope we can all return to some normality in 2021.

Thanks again

Pete
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  #20  
Old 04-04-21, 04:21 PM
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I have a enamel badge with RN Coast Watcher on it , I presumed it was the ww2 coast watchers badge but turns out it was not .
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  #21  
Old 05-04-21, 02:34 PM
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Default Mystery 'CW' Armlet

Many thanks for showing the enamel badge - it's really interesting! I guess they would have worn that when they weren't on duty.

I haven't ever seen one like that. I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for another. Although I should think they are pretty rare!

Once again, many thanks.

Pete
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  #22  
Old 27-08-21, 03:05 PM
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Default WRNS Coast watcher 1918

For information on Coast Watcher, please note postcard currently on ebay. I hope the link works otherwise search for Miss Sinclair MBE Dunbeath Castle WRNS Coast watcher 1918


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1850064366...S&LH_Auction=1
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  #23  
Old 27-08-21, 03:55 PM
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Link works OK , thanks for posting it !

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  #24  
Old 27-08-21, 03:57 PM
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It also looks like she is wearing the round Coast Watcher pin on the lapel of her jacket. This is all very cool, and I have enjoyed reading through this thread!!!

Terry
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  #25  
Old 28-08-21, 01:45 PM
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That's brilliant! That's only the second known image of a Coast Watcher wearing their armlet! And the fact she is wearing her badge too makes it even better!

Pete
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  #26  
Old 28-08-21, 02:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guzzman View Post
That's brilliant! That's only the second known image of a Coast Watcher wearing their armlet! And the fact she is wearing her badge too makes it even better!

Pete
Another photo of her on IWM site.

Quote:
Coast Watcher Miss Stroma Alexander-Sinclair MBE, Royal Navy.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205379828


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  #27  
Old 29-08-21, 07:47 AM
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That's good news! When I contacted the IWM last they only knew of the one image. And now we have three (even if two are of the same person!).

Hopefully a few more will turn up now people are starting to recognise them for what they are. I like to think this forum has played it's part in raising awareness.

Pete
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  #28  
Old 29-08-21, 09:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guzzman View Post
And now we have three (even if two are of the same person!).
Make that four !

Found a brief mention in a thesis from Cardiff University.

Quote:
A system of coast watching was witnessed across Pembrokeshire. At Newport on the north coast, three watchers were officially appointed by the Royal Navy complete with special armbands to denote their official status, similar to their colleagues at Manorbier (Illustration 32). 1766
https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/76366/1/2015hancocksphd.pdf

NB - 1766 (credited to County Echo).

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  #29  
Old 29-08-21, 09:45 AM
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Interlude

It appears that Coast Watching could , apart from being patriotic , also be profitable !

Quote:
REWARDS TO COAST WATCHERS AND CIVILIANS ON SHORE

The Admiralty offer the following rewards to persons on shore for information concerning hostile Submarines , Minelayers , and other War Vessels , and for reports of Mines washed up.
Rewards £100 , £25 , £5 , £1.

Unfortuanately the photo of the poster (dated February 1915) is not sharp enough to read the details.

https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/asset...exhibition.pdf

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  #30  
Old 07-09-21, 04:47 PM
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From HANSARD Deb 04 November 1918 :CIVILIAN COAST WATCHERS.

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-h...coast-watchers

Another interesting discovery is on the WW1 war memorial in Conaglen , Inverness-shire. It lists : HCW-RN Earl of Morton.

HCW stands for Head Coast Watcher !

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Last edited by mike_vee; 08-09-21 at 07:33 AM. Reason: spelling
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