Changes in RCN Rank insignia after Integration

[RCN]

I had done a brief writup on this in a previous thread, but since unrelated to the original posted header have decided to repeat it under its own heading as a new topic:


After the Tri Service integration period in 1968 some of the RCN rank insignia changed to conform to the Tri Service identity -- thus RCN Petty Officers 2nd class became Sergeants, Petty Officers 1st class became Warrant Officers, CPO2's became MWO, & CPO1's became CWO's.

Prior to the changeover to the CAF green uniforms the PO1, CPO2, & CPO1 insignia changed from the former RCN insignia to that worn by the Army/RCAF insignia :

Thus - PO1 now wore the crown, CPO2's wore the MWO insignia & CPO1's wore the CWO insignia - all were worn on the lower sleeves of the tunic.
This changeover took place in 1969 as I recall.

Another item that is not well known as it was only in existance for a short period of time, just prior to the integrated green uniforms coming in -- the Petty Officer 2nd class ratings changed from their former sailor blues, to the Fore & Aft rig worn by PO1's & CPO's, & continued to wear their rank(crossed anchors) & GCB's as formerly worn by PO1's. Their rank insignia did not change, they just changed uniforms. This took place in '69 as well.

Bryan

[RCN]

& here are illustrations of the Tri Service Insignia that replaced the former
PO1, CPO2, & CPO1 insignia, all were worn on the lower sleeves of the tunic, similar to that worn by the Army & Air forces.

[RCN]

Another post Integration anomoly that faced the RCN rank system was the newly created Tri Service rank of MASTER CORPORAL.

The former RCN ranks had no equivalent for this new rank so it was created in this fashion:
The Master Corporal rank was designated as MASTER SEAMAN, & as it ranked one above the old rank of LEADING SEAMAN, a crown was added above the LS single anchor insignia.
This insignia may have been precedented by the old pre 1913 RN rank of PO2second class whose insginia was a single anchor surmounted by either a Victorian or Edwardian crown.

Many senior LS were subsequently advanced to Master Seaman (MS) & as no formal badge was issued for the new ranks (likely due to the immenent arrival of the new green Tri service uniforms), they simply took the Crown from a PO1 insignia & sewed it above their anchor.

Illustration below:

As mentioned in post above, this insignia was very short lived, coming in in mid 1969 & being abolished in 1970 wiuth the issuance of the Tri service greens.

Bryan