Plumber branch - post 1950 rate badges.

[RCN]

Actually the Plumber branch really belongs in the Artisan branch, but I decided to show it alone as the Plumber rate was the only rate that retained a distinctive badge of the former pre 1950 Artisan branch.

The Plumber rate badge was new in 1949, & had not been used before that time, so I guess one might say its a unique RCN rate badge.

Plumbers were still being recruited in the RCN in the early 1960's, there was one in my New Entry class. Plumbers only existed in Trade groups 1 & 2 though, in trade groups 3 & 4 they became HT's & wore the Shipwright/Hull technician rate badge.

Bryan

[Stokes]

In 1963 this badge was worn by the Hull Mechanics in the regular force and in the reserves by the plumbers.

Hull mechanics were the trade group 1 and 2 members of the hull branch. When a Hull Mechanic qualified as trade group 3 he was re-badged as a Hull Technician.

Stokes