Indian WWII Petty Officer rank?

[Phill Lockett]

Gidday friends

I know absolutely nothing on this Indian Navy rank.

I think its pre 53 WWII Indian Navy PO rank?

cheers

Phill

[Guzzman]

Hi Phill

This is not a WWII PO's badge. The Royal Indian Navy wore the same PO's badges as the Royal Navy during WWII (and before). They continued to wear the same badges until India became a republic in 1950.

What you have looks more like a blazer badge. The anchor within a shield device, topped by a crown, was the symbol of the Royal Indian Navy

Pete

[Guzzman]

The modern Indian Navy still uses a similar design as it's logo. As indeed does the Pakistan Navy.

Pete

[Phill Lockett]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Hi Phill

This is not a WWII PO's badge. The Royal Indian Navy wore the same PO's badges as the Royal Navy during WWII (and before). They continued to wear the same badges until India became a republic in 1950.

What you have looks more like a blazer badge. The anchor within a shield device, topped by a crown, was the symbol of the Royal Indian Navy

Pete

Thanks Pete

So when would you think this blazer badge was made and worn?

Obviously worn by a veteran could it have been a later date?

cheers

Phill

[Guzzman]

Hi Phill

As a blazer badge this probably would have been worn by a veteran.

In 1934 the Royal Indian Marine became the Royal Indian Navy and I think this design was adopted at that time. I have never found any evidence of it being in use before that date. In 1947 India (and Pakistan) became independent but the naval service of India continued to be called the Royal Indian Navy and even continued to fly the White Ensign - as did the newly formed Royal Pakistan Navy!

It wasn't until 1950, when India became a republic, that the navy ceased to be the Royal Indian Navy and simply became the Indian Navy. That is when the design changed and the crown was removed from the badge. Slight variations have been made in the design since that date, resulting in the modern Indian Navy version shown above.

So the Royal Indian Navy was in existence between 1934 and 1950. It is therefore probable that this badge was worn by a veteran who served at some time between those dates.

It's imposible for me to say when the badge was made as i presume that as long as there was a demand for them, they would have continued to be manufactured!

Pete

[Phill Lockett]

Thanks Pete

I appreciate the information and the background.

I purchased the item because I liked the embroidery which I think is hand made using an outline/ template(?).

Will put this in my database for future reference.

cheers

Phill

[Guzzman]

Hi Phill

Yes, your badge is a beauty! Not much R.I.N. stuff turns up - well worth hanging on to.

Pete

[btns]

Thank you all for your contributions to this thread.
Here is the button that goes with the badge.

[Phill Lockett]

Thanks adding btns.

Hopefully others can add to the thread.

Phill

[pinfrin]

Originally Posted by btns

Thank you all for your contributions to this thread.
Here is the button that goes with the badge.

Not been able to figure out why this tilted stock version
design was adopted in 1934. (tilt retained by the Pakistan Navy
to today. The indian Navy straightened it out in 1950)

When was the tilted stock anchor design last used for the RN ( < 1870 /1880 ?)

(incidentally the PA wears full medals swing style and the IA court mounted)