Interesting photo - Naval Officers(?)

[RCN]

Their Insignia appears to be for RNR Officers (note Red Ensign in background), but notice the cap badges they are wearing - appear to be CPO KC badges post 1WW.

I don't have the photo so unable to show a closeup of the cap badges.

RCN Bryan

[RBJ MIlitaria]

Clue could be in the ensign which appears to have a round device on it ? possibly similar to the cap badges ?

[RCN]

Noticed that, but no idea what it represents!
Could be something inside the circle we are unable to see.
B

[RBJ MIlitaria]

a lot of colonial type flags have a device in the field

[RCN]

Originally Posted by RBJ MIlitaria

a lot of colonial type flags have a device in the field

Agree - see attached:

[David Tremain]

Not all are CPOs. The guy on the left looks like a Lieutenant with something above the curl. The guy with the cat is either a Commander or Captain, with the oak leaves on the peak.
David

[manchesters]

Is that Captain Blofeld in the centre?

[Chacal]

Originally Posted by manchesters

Is that Captain Blofeld in the centre?

Glad I'm not the only one to think that.

[RCN]

Originally Posted by David Tremain

Not all are CPOs. The guy on the left looks like a Lieutenant with something above the curl. The guy with the cat is either a Commander or Captain, with the oak leaves on the peak.
David

No, not CPO's David, they are definitely Officers, & lace appears to be RNR type.
Some have the peculiar RNR curl above & some don't. Presumbaly those with no curl are Civil branch (perhaps Engineer officers)
The Officer (presumably the ship's Captain) in centre is a Commander.

B

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
Sorry, but these aren't RN badges! It must be some private company cap badge, definitely not RNR officers badges. Some of the officers are wearing RNR shoulder straps with the 'interwoven' curl though others have plain stripes without a curl. I believe it was a common practise for RNR officers to wear their RNR shoulder straps with merchant navy uniforms.
The flag in the background may well be a merchant navy red-duster with a company logo.
Cheers,
Alex

[RCN]

Originally Posted by manchesters

Is that Captain Blofeld in the centre?

Ernst Stavro Blofeld

photo somewhat before his time!

B

[royston]

It's probably the crew from Gilbert & Sullivan "Pirates of Penzance, a mixture of officer's lace & Senior Rates cap badges!!!!

[Phil2M]

Looks like they are on an old wooden ship with a mast. I think they look like actors too, the choices of pose, the strange badges and so on. There appears to be scaffolding up behind the flag.

[RCN]

Thanks for all the responses mates, I am pretty certain this group of Officers is a Merchant Marine Company, but I thought it was interesting given the somewhat different lace & the what appear to be CPO cap badges,

Bryan

[Alex Rice]

Hi Bryan
Totally agree - merchant navy company, not a theatre troupe! I'm sure the rigging is genuine and the flag a back-drop. I think the overhead canvas screen is exactly that, a sun screen rigged up for the tropics.
Cheers,
Alex