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  #1  
Old 09-08-16, 01:39 PM
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Default Tommy Brown GM

Hi All,

I'm trying to put together a little enigma type display and wanted some badges for Tommy Brown GM, the NAAFI canteen assistant on board HMS Petard who helped capture an enigma.

I've found these photos of him on line but he appears (to me) to be in RN uniform. Is that correct?

I was thinking I'd need a NAAFI cap badge for him but this isn't a NAAFI badge is it?

What badges is he wearing?

Thanks a lot,

Michael
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  #2  
Old 09-08-16, 04:06 PM
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Thats a Petty Officers cap badge of the RN, but I feel he is a little young at that point to wear it?

regards
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  #3  
Old 09-08-16, 04:48 PM
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He was 19 when he died and as far as I was aware he was never in the Navy although Wikipedia does have him down as a leading seaman.

Michael
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  #4  
Old 09-08-16, 05:02 PM
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Hi Michael,

The cap badge is not that of a Petty Officer, but that of a Class III Rating or "Rating not dressed as Seaman". Tommy brown looks to be wearing a single anchor or "Killick" (Simon, Petty Officers wear crossed "hooks" with a crown above). I am not that knowledgeable on the NAAFI, I am more into the ships and their cap tallies, but I hope this of some help.

You might want to post this in the Royal Navy section for a more informed answer.

Andy
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  #5  
Old 09-08-16, 05:09 PM
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I thought I had a NAAFI sleeve badge as worn by men on HM Ships, but I can't find it. I have had a look on google but can't seem to find one on there
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Old 09-08-16, 05:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nozzer View Post
I thought I had a NAAFI sleeve badge as worn by men on HM Ships, but I can't find it. I have had a look on google but can't seem to find one on there
Andy,

The question was, whats the CAP BADGE

regards
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  #7  
Old 09-08-16, 05:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manchesters View Post
Andy,

The question was, whats the CAP BADGE

regards
It's still not a Petty Officers cap badge!

Surely the more information the better?
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Old 09-08-16, 05:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nozzer View Post
It's still not a Petty Officers cap badge!

Surely the more information the better?
First Picture.

Red cap badge.

What is it then?
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  #9  
Old 09-08-16, 05:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiny View Post
What badges is he wearing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by manchesters View Post
The question was, whats the CAP BADGE
Please read the opening post again Simon
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  #10  
Old 09-08-16, 05:33 PM
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Nozzer,

The post was clearly referring to what cap badge he requires for his display.

"I was thinking I'd need a NAAFI cap badge for him but this isn't a NAAFI badge is it?

What badges is he wearing?"


You have said I am wrong in stating he is wearing a PO cap badge and this is the second time I have asked you to please correct me and tell me what the cap badge is, that is the red Kings Crown badge over an anchor surrounded by ropes also in red as shown in picture number 1.

regards
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  #11  
Old 09-08-16, 05:55 PM
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Simon,

Petty Officers ceased to wear the red cap badge in 1920 when they started wearing the badge that had previously been worn by Chief Petty Officers who in turn started to wear the badge with a ring of laural leaves. The badge in the opening post is worn by Class III Ratings or Ratings Not Dressed as Seaman. That would be mainly Artificers, but also Cooks and Stewards as a sign that they were not just common sailors.

As I said, I am not an espert on the NAAFI, but I know that they wore naval uniform on HM Ships. They did not wear Class II uniforms or "square rig" as they were not seamen. The Royal Navy is a very complicated subject as I am sure you can appreciate.

I hope this answers your question?
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Old 09-08-16, 06:00 PM
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Yes it does. Thankyou.

regards
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  #13  
Old 09-08-16, 07:51 PM
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Thank you everyone for your replies. Through the discussions I have learnt that what I thought was an RN uniform was a variation of it and that it is the red RN cap badge that is the right one for the display.

I am interested in what the NAAFI sleeve badge was though, I'm assuming he would have worn one at some point.

Nozzer, I'm also interested in the cap tallies worn on HMS Petard at the time, would it have had the ship's name on ie HMS Petard or would it just have had HMS on (I seem to remember reading somewhere that was the case).

Thanks again one and all.

Michael
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  #14  
Old 10-08-16, 02:20 PM
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Hello Michael,

Try as I might, I can't find a NAAFI badge in my collection or on the net!! Quite simply, it was a red circle with NAAFI in it.

HMS Petard was quite new when the incident that you are researching took place, being laid down in December 1939, launched in March of 1941 and completed on the 15th June 1942. The issue of tallies with just "HMS" is fairly complex in the early stages of WW2, being issued to boarding parties, men going on leave and joining new ships and were to be returned on rejoining or joining their ship. Admiralty Fleet Order (AFO) 4678 of September 1942 stated that even with stocks of named tallies being available, "HMS" tallies were now to be issued only and were to be worn ashore at all times. Named tallies could still be worn whilst at sea. From March 1943 only tallies with "HMS" were to be worn at all times.

So to answer your question, yes there would have been "H.M.S. PETARD." tallies, but she was around for a fairly long time, so there would be a few different weaves http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=39767 She was finally broken up in 1967.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I hope this is of some help.

Andy

Last edited by Nozzer; 10-08-16 at 03:37 PM. Reason: spelling & clarification
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  #15  
Old 03-02-17, 08:46 PM
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Hi Andy,

I'm not sure how I missed your reply, I'm really sorry for taking so long to reply.

Now I know that there was an H.M.S. Petard tally I'll have to have a look for one.

Thanks again for the reply and for the explanation of how the tallies were worn, that will also help with another display I'm putting together.

Michael
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