RCN Officer's Insignia - Medical branch

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Continuing the series on RCN Oficer's insignia worn in the RCN...

Illustrated below is the Medical branch, consisting of Medical Doctors, Surgeons, Opthamologists, Radiologists, & other specialist medical fields...

Generally the officers in this branch were University trained prior to entering the RCN, having attended a University & obtained the degree of MD and a specialist degree, if applicable.

All Medical branch officers wore the scarlet cloth between the sleeve & shoulder board lace. Their collar insignia also had the scarlet colour between the gold bands. The Medical branch continued to wear the scarlet cloth after the branch distinguishing colours were abolished in mid 1950's.

As a review, a brief bit about RCN collar insignia -- Collar insignia appeared in the RCN when the post war Khaki uniforms were introduced in 1947. In addition to wearing shoulder boards, the officer wore, on the collars of his khaki shirt, brass rank insignia, they were attached by "clutch" fasteners.
Officers could also wear the collar insignia on the blue working shirt sometimes worn on board ship.

Entry level rank was Sub Lieut (Medical)

Bryan

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Lieut (Medical):

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Lieut Commander (Medical):

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Commander (Medical):

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Captain (Medical):

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Commodore (Medical):

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Rear Admiral (Medical).

This was the top rank for the Medical branch in old the RCN.
& the Medical officer holding this rank was the Surgeon General of the RCN

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I am very fortunate to have the uniform of Rear Admiral Walter Elliot CD, RCN, who held the appointment of Surgeon General of the RCN from 1964 to 1968.

Rear Adm Elliot received his Medical degree from Queens University (Kingston Ontario) in 1937 & entered the RNVR in 1940. He then joined the RCNVR from the RNVR in 1942 & saw much service during 2WW.
He transferred to the RCN in 1947.
He undertook graduate training in Toronto in 1944 & again in 1952-54 specializing in Opthalmology at University of Pennsylvania Naval Hospital.

He held various appointments in the 1950's, including PMO (Principal Medical Officer) HMCS Magnificent, & HMCS Bonaventure; PMO HMCS Naden & Principal Opthalmologist RCN Hospital; Command MO Pacific coast, Assistant Surgeon General RCN; Deputy Surgeon General RCN HQ.


RAdm Elliot's uniform & insignia shown below::

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Photo of Rear Admiral Elliot: