Unidentified Badge?

[sailorbear]

Hi there. Can anyone help identify this badge? I know its naval but have no idea what it is, and to date have never seen it worn, have seen it in a lighter, orange colour, but don't know if it is a different badge or just a lighter/faded variant? Any ideas?

Tony

[Guzzman]

Hi Tony

These were worn by trainee Artificers after they had moved to HMS Raleigh. Artificer Apprentices were the last junior ratings not to be 'dressed as seamen'. However, from September 1997 Artificer Apprentices joining Raleigh were issued with Class II uniform. To denote their status as Artificer Apprentices a red embroidered 'Training Badge' was adopted and worn at the top of the sleeves just beneath the shoulder. For a similar reason, in May 2000 the decision was taken to reintroduce a woven red beret badge (originally the Class III cap badge) to distinguish the artificer in working dress.

It seems a bit bizarre that after having decided to put everyone in the same uniform, they then had to reintroduce distinguishing badges to denote the Artificers special status!

The use of these badges ended on 12th February 2010 when a passing out parade was held at HMS Sultan, Gosport, for the final graduates of the Marine Engineering Artificer Qualifying Course. Following this the title 'Artificer' disappeared from the Royal Navy after 141 years.

Pete

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Guzzman

Hi Tony

These were worn by trainee Artificers after they had moved to HMS Raleigh. Artificer Apprentices were the last junior ratings not to be 'dressed as seamen'. However, from September 1997 Artificer Apprentices joining Raleigh were issued with Class II uniform. To denote their status as Artificer Apprentices a red embroidered 'Training Badge' was adopted and worn at the top of the sleeves just beneath the shoulder. For a similar reason, in May 2000 the decision was taken to reintroduce a woven red beret badge (originally the Class III cap badge) to distinguish the artificer in working dress.

It seems a bit bizarre that after having decided to put everyone in the same uniform, they then had to reintroduce distinguishing badges to denote the Artificers special status!

The use of these badges ended on 12th February 2010 when a passing out parade was held at HMS Sultan, Gosport, for the final graduates of the Marine Engineering Artificer Qualifying Course. Following this the title 'Artificer' disappeared from the Royal Navy after 141 years.

Pete

Cheers Pete, that's really fantastic and very informative, thanks very much!

Regards

Tony