Royal Navy Shore Wireless Service

[Postwarden]

Juat acquired this nice group photo, apparently the crew - if that's the correct term - of an RN Shore Wireless Service stations.

So far the only reference I can find is this Admiralty Fleet Order of 1939; AFO 139 12/1/39; Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service; To be inaugurated – to man certain shore WT and DF stations at home and abroad

The two CPOs in the picture have an SWS arm badge, whilst the young men in civilian clothes wear the lapel badge of the RN Volunteer Wireless Reserve. I have also shown a badge with the letters S.S.S. - Shore Signal Service? - and a cap tally for the RN Shore Wireless.

Can anyone tie up the loose ends in this group of badges etc please?

Jon

[manchesters]

Jon,

SSS is indeed the RN Shore Signal Service.
The badge introduce din 1925.

regards

[Alex Rice]

Very interesting, thanks. I see all the PO's have 3 good conduct badges and at least 2 have LSGC medals. Any idea where this was taken?
Cheers,
Alex

[Guzzman]

Hi!

I can give you some information on the Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve whose enamelled metal lapel badge you have shown.

In the early-1930s a special RNVR Wirless Division was formed. The Division failed to attract many volunteers, but in 1935 it was augmented by members of the separate Wireless Auxiliary Reserve, a body of amateur wireless enthusiasts, recognised by the Admiralty, but civilian in character. These amateurs served on board ships of the Fleet during exercises in 1935, and so impressed the Commanding Officers of the ships by their efficiency that suggestions were made to place them on a more official footing. Their wearing civilian clothes and their lack of status on board a ship-of-war was considered unfortunate, and so it was proposed to attach them as part of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Some of the amateurs, however, were not keen to wear naval uniform and on being subject to Naval Discipline, but others preferred this to their present unofficial status. Out of their number and those few Wireless Telegraphists of the RNVR Wireless Division, a new Wirless Reserve, with its own officers, was formed. This was to be known as the Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve, with the short title of RNV(W)R.

The RNV(W)R was established in 1939. On 1st November 1958 the RNV(W)R amalgamated with the Royal Naval Reserve.

This information came from 'The R.N.V.R.: A Record of Achievement' by J. Lennox Kerr and Wilfred Granville and published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd in 1957.

Pete

[Postwarden]

The photo has a photographer's stamp for Grimsby.

Jon

[Cleeman]

Hi guys,

I have just come across this thread when researching this badge, which I recently purchased.

Would I be correct in thinking this is from WW1 and the precursor to the Shore Wireless Service.

The only information I can find online on this unit is from a thesis published online. https://www.commsmuseum.co.uk/dykes/...dfs/thesis.pdf page 174.

Does anyone else have any information on this.

Thanks,
Andy

[mike_vee]

Don't know if this helps.

Post Office and Marconi Company radio stations taken over for naval war service were operated 1915–1925 as the RNVR Shore Wireless Service and the staff wore uniforms. They were replaced in 1925 by the Shore Wireless Service and the Shore Signal Service. They were uniformed permanent forces manned mainly by naval pensioners taking over duties that were formerly carried out by Coast Guard staff who were in turn transferred to the Board of Trade.

https://www.nauticapedia.ca/Articles...serve_Orgs.php

NB. To get to page 174 of the thesis enter 41/281 at top of page.

.

[Home Guard]

This is a very interesting thread and lots of great information and pictures.

Thanks to all for sharing!!!

Terry

[Cleeman]

Excellent thank you. Some great information. Thank you for the link.

Regards,
Andy

[royston]

Many thanks for an interesting thread

[Mike Jackson]

Very interesting subject. In the group photograph the Sub-Lieutenant's taste in shirt collars seems to have been stuck in the 19th Century. I wonder why?

[lettman]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Very interesting subject. In the group photograph the Sub-Lieutenant's taste in shirt collars seems to have been stuck in the 19th Century. I wonder why?

I think that sort of collar was still part of formal evening dress of the period ('Putting on my top hat . . . brushing off my tails'), so he probably regarded it as the proper thing to wear for the photo.

Thanks for a fascinating thread, and yet more interesting items to watch out for.