Help from Naval experts please

[Malcolm Davey]

Not a clue guys any help greatly appreciated
The Aeroplane one I have in White and blue also
Cheers
Malc

For some reason it keeps posting the last one upside down

[Guzzman]

Firstly it is important to remember that stars and crowns are added to badges to denote appropriate standards of qualification, but the significance of these stars has changed many times.

The first badge is worn by a Naval Airman. The 'H' below the Aeroplane signifies that it was worn by an Aircraft Handler. The star above and star below signify the ratings qualification within their particular trade. But these change repeatedly over time. For instance between 1945-48 this badge would have been worn by an Aircraft Handler, Ist Class but after 1948 by an Aircraft Handler, 2nd Class. This badge is still in use today.

The Three-bladed propeller was used by engineering personnel. This badge is no longer worn. The badge without any letters or stars is the one that would be worn by new members of the branch - those without any specialisation. The one with a star above and star below would have been worn by a Leading Stoker Mechanic/Leading Engineering Mechanic. The 'M' below the stars signifies that the wearer specialised in being a Marine Engineering Mechanic (Mechanical) as opposed to an 'L' which would have shown that they were a Marine Enginering Mechanic (Electrical). As I say the actual titles changed repeatedly over the years.

Gold badges were worn on No. 1 Dress (best) uniforms, red badges were worn on No. 2 Dress but were discontinued in 1994. The blue on white badges are worn on tropical uniform.

Trade badges are very complex! Identifying the title of the wearer of the badge depends very much upon when a particular badge was issued.

Pete

[Malcolm Davey]

Many thanks Pete for a very in depth reply very useful information.

[Ian Dummer]

Hi

In the 1970s the qualification set up was

Trade badge
-Class 2 - No stars
-Class 1 - Star above
-Leading hand - Star above and below
-Petty Officer - Crown above
-Chief Petty Officer - Crown above, Star below

Gold badge - No 1s
Red badge - No 2s
Blue embroidered badge - Tropicals
Blue printed Badge - No 8s working dress

The electrical trade was split into three branches with the following letters below the trade sign
-RE Radio Electrical Mechanics
-CE Control Eelectrical Mechanics
-OE Ordance Electrical Mechanics

In the early 1980s the Ordance branch split into two branches
-WEM (O) Weapons Electrical Mechanics (Ordance)
-MEM (L) Marine Engineering Mechanics (Electrical)

Regards

Ian

[Malcolm Davey]

More Great Info Cheers Ian