Merchant Navy uniform WW1 - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Jeff · #1 14-03-16, 11:59 AM

Hi.
I'm researching my grandfather's naval career and have this photo of him in uniform in 1917 or 1918.
We think he was a Sub Lieutenant in the Merchant Navy and that he was a Wireless Telegraphist (operator). We do know he served on an Australian ship SS Katoomba that was requisitioned as a troopship in the Eastern Meditteranean just prior to and immediately after the end of the War.
If anyone can decypher what his cap badge is or that 'flash' on his left breast means I'd be very grateful.
Thanks
Jeff Fenton

Bill A · #2 14-03-16, 12:11 PM

Hi Jeff, welcome to the Forum. Your post is active and open for replies.

Peter Brydon · #3 14-03-16, 12:30 PM

Welcome,

I cannot help with the cap badge but could the " flash" be the top of a handkerchief ?

P.B.

Phil2M · #4 14-03-16, 03:09 PM

Looks like a handkerchief to me too, just shadow giving an illusion of a voiding.

Cap badge looks like a RN rather than merchant but the crown is odd, it looks more Dutch.

Hoot · #5 14-03-16, 08:23 PM

The cap badge appears to be that of the Royal Naval Transport Service. Manned by personnel of the Mercantile Marine during and after WW1.

Jeff · #6 15-03-16, 11:46 AM

Thanks for replying Hoot.
Your identification of Royal Naval Transport Service makes sense & may be correct.
I know the Katoomba was an Australian cruiser prior to the War that must have requisitioned by the British Govt for war service. One of the surviving notes from my grandfather says, of the ship ' Royal Australian Navy Fleet Auxiliary' and, of himself '...after discharge from the Aust Navy.' but enquiries with the RAN have proved fruitless. So maybe he was Mercantile Marine, seconded into the RNTS as you suggest and put on an Australian (RAN) Fleet Auxiliary ship? Who knows but all very interesting! He left a journal from his voyage which I'm currently transcribing before it fades away completely. It makes a fascinating read! Thanks again
Jeff

Jeff · #7 15-03-16, 11:52 AM

Dear Phil
Many thanks for replying. It was probably just wishful thinking on my part that it was some sort of Radio Telegraphers wireless badge whereas in reality it's just an ordinary handkerchief!
Your suggestion that he was RN just adds to my confusion - I've had all sorts of suggestions - RN, Merchant Navy, Merchant Marine, Australian Navy and most recently Royal Naval Transport Service. I never knew there were so many navies!

Jeff · #8 15-03-16, 11:54 AM

PB
It probably is a just a hanky but I'd hoped it was some sort of badge.
Thanks anyway
Jeff

btns · #9 15-03-16, 10:14 PM

Would you please post a good close-up of the badge and of one or two of the buttons?

Phil2M · #10 15-03-16, 10:34 PM

Here is my RN Transport cap badge, to compare, if it is any help.

Cheers,

Phil

Hoot · #11 16-03-16, 12:53 AM

Jeff, just for the record, this same basic pattern of cap badge, with the title circle around the central anchor, was worn by officers of the Royal Naval Transport Service, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary, H.M. Transports and the War Department Fleet. They have the wording R.N. TRANSPORT., R.F.A., M.F.A., H.M. TRANSPORT., and W.D. or W.D.F. respectively. The first one is the most likely I think.

Jeff · #12 17-03-16, 10:48 AM

Here's that close-up you asked for - 2 sets of buttons (with different light falling on them) & his cap badge. It looks fairly indistinguishable to me - just an anchor surrounded by something but I'd very much welcome any observations you might have
Thanks

Jeff · #13 17-03-16, 10:58 AM

Dear Phil
Thanks for the close-up of your cap badge. If nothing else it serves to dismiss my Grandad's as being similar because to me it's clearly different with what looks (on his) to be a distinct, short 'name' in the area above the anchor and what looks like a simple wreath ? surrounding it; as opposed to a great, long title all around it.
I wish I could have made a copy as big as you did yours but anyway I hope you can blow it up at your end.PS I've enclosed the close-ups I made for 'btns' in case you're not copied in to my other responses. (Not sure what other members can see of this thread)
Jeff

btns · #14 17-03-16, 11:30 AM

Thank you for the images of the buttons. I copied and pasted them into Paint and resized them to 300%.
The buttons on the uniform are stock anchor buttons. They do not have a crown. Such buttons are used for multiple reasons including non availability of specific designs. They are not useful for further identification of your granfather's uniform.

Hoot · #15 17-03-16, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

Dear Phil
Thanks for the close-up of your cap badge. If nothing else it serves to dismiss my Grandad's as being similar because to me it's clearly different with what looks (on his) to be a distinct, short 'name' in the area above the anchor and what looks like a simple wreath ? surrounding it; as opposed to a great, long title all around it.
I wish I could have made a copy as big as you did yours but anyway I hope you can blow it up at your end.PS I've enclosed the close-ups I made for 'btns' in case you're not copied in to my other responses. (Not sure what other members can see of this thread)
Jeff

A short title at the top of the circle would, in your grandfather's case, read either R.F.A. or M.F.A.. See post 11.