ID of a Stoker rate

[RCN]

I have seen this Stoker rate in the past & also others with the weird crossed whatever they are below. They dont even make sense to me!

Can a member clear this one up pls?

Thanks!

Bryan

[Phil2M]

Jet washer nozzles? Or maybe something to do with underwater welding?

[DAVID B HOWELL]

Hi Bryan

You have the badge upside down. It is for a stoker in the RNXS. RNXS is shown by the crossed range finders. There are quiet a few RNXS badges around.

David

[Guzzman]

Hello Bryan

David (hello to you too) is quite right. The RNXS (Royal Naval Auxiliary Service) had the crossed sights on most (I won't say all as someone is bound to correct me!) of its ratings badges irrespective of the specialisation. Incidentally, all the members of the RNXS were volunteers and the ratings were known as 'Auxiliaryman' regardless of their gender. The RNXS was disbanded in 1994 as part of the 'peace dividend' following the end of the Cold War.

Pete

[RCN]

Thanks mates! Appreciate that!

Had no idea what the crossed range finders were. They sure dont look like the old pre 2WW Rangefinder rate tho!

I dont have the badge, a shot of it was sent to me. I try to avoid the modern rate badges.

Bryan

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Hello Bryan

David (hello to you too) is quite right. The RNXS (Royal Naval Auxiliary Service) had the crossed sights on most (I won't say all as someone is bound to correct me!) of its ratings badges irrespective of the specialisation. Incidentally, all the members of the RNXS were volunteers and the ratings were known as 'Auxiliaryman' regardless of their gender. The RNXS was disbanded in 1994 as part of the 'peace dividend' following the end of the Cold War.

Pete

Thats right but the crossed rangefinders was more common with the Royal Naval Mine Watching service (the rangefinder being the main tool of their job!) The RNMWS merge with the Admiralty Ferry Crews Association to become the RNXS. As Pete suggests the rangefinder device was incorporated less as the RNXS moved away from any mine watching tasking though they did keep the same cap badge with an exploding sea mine.

As such the badge may be older than you think?

Regards Tony

[Arnhemjim]

Hi Bryan,
Have a rating badge with the identical devices and two stars (1st Class), but no propeller (which would indicate Marine Engineering Mechanic (modern Stoker)). Believed mine to be Telecommunications Technician (Mechanical) as I thought the "devices" to be crossed teletype key levers. Acquired in 1987 so believe it to have been current at that time. Based on other responses, i.e. positive Royal Navy Auxiliary Service (RNXS), will change identification in my records. Certainly a weird configuration to the rear sight!
Arnhem Jim

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Arnhemjim

Hi Bryan,
Have a rating badge with the identical devices and two stars (1st Class), but no propeller (which would indicate Marine Engineering Mechanic (modern Stoker)). Believed mine to be Telecommunications Technician (Mechanical) as I thought the "devices" to be crossed teletype key levers. Acquired in 1987 so believe it to have been current at that time. Based on other responses, i.e. positive Royal Navy Auxiliary Service (RNXS), will change identification in my records. Certainly a weird configuration to the rear sight!
Arnhem Jim

Hi there, Some pictures that may make the configeration of the rear sight make sense! It was in fact a chin rest as seen in the first picture.

Regards Tony

[RCN]

Well that photo & illustration certainly helps a lot Tony!

thanks for posting it. I would never have figured out what the crossed configuration actually was!

Bryan

[Guzzman]

Hello all

All the above prompts me to ask if anyone knows where you can find information on the trade badges worn by members of the RNMWS and the RNXS? I have been looking for years but have never really found anything. In his second volume of 'Rank and Rate' E. Coleman provides information on the beret badges and rank insignia but nothing on the trade badges worn by Auxiliarymen. I must admit that I was still serving in the RN when the RNXS was disbanded and I 'liberated' lots of their manuals for future reference - however, I can't find anything in them about their badges. The only place I have found any info was on a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard a few years ago as there is an RNXS museum there. However, the museum was unmanned and there was no literature available, so I had to busy myself with pen and paper drawing sketches of the the badges and insignia on display! That was in the days before I had a camera on my mobile phone!

Pete

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Hello all

All the above prompts me to ask if anyone knows where you can find information on the trade badges worn by members of the RNMWS and the RNXS? I have been looking for years but have never really found anything. In his second volume of 'Rank and Rate' E. Coleman provides information on the beret badges and rank insignia but nothing on the trade badges worn by Auxiliarymen. I must admit that I was still serving in the RN when the RNXS was disbanded and I 'liberated' lots of their manuals for future reference - however, I can't find anything in them about their badges. The only place I have found any info was on a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard a few years ago as there is an RNXS museum there. However, the museum was unmanned and there was no literature available, so I had to busy myself with pen and paper drawing sketches of the the badges and insignia on display! That was in the days before I had a camera on my mobile phone!

Pete

Hi Pete, The Royal Naval Auxiliary Service - The First Twenty-Five Years by John Murray (ISBN 0-907771-37-8) is about the only reference I've ever been able to find! It does have some pictures of the old RNMWS badges and RNXS branch badges and grades but little specific detail on each. It does cover uniform of the whole period and has loads of photos with insignia clearly visible. I wish it was more detailed but still it is a good reference and as far as I know the only one presently available?

Regards Tony

[Guzzman]

Hi Tony

Many thanks for that. I presume that will have been published in about 1987? I'll have to try and track that one down! Thanks again.

Pete

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Hi Tony

Many thanks for that. I presume that will have been published in about 1987? I'll have to try and track that one down! Thanks again.

Pete

Hi Pete, Published by Maritime Books, Liskeard, Cornwall 1988

Regards Tony