Merchant Navy Officers Badge

[Mike]

Anyone any idea as to an age for this one?

Would it be worn by a Chief Engineer?

I have listed this for sale on the auction pages, but I have the medals and plaque to a Chief Engineer killed in a sub attack in WW1. If this was a valid badge for him then I might like to keep it with his medals.

[Phil2M]

Hi Mike,

Purple/blue behind the crown, to my understanding, indiciates engineering. The badge looks to have some age too. The design of this badge has never really changed so its hard to date them precisely.

Phil

[Phil2M]

Your badge is the india/bombay pattern. Heres a link to my standard pattern http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=46839 also engineering.

Phil

[Mike]

Thanks for that Phil, I though I had a badge there for my man but he wouldn't wear an Indian pattern as this was his ship: SS Seven Seas sunk 1st April 1915

I'll move that one on and look for one like yours. I suppose it's possible he might only have worn a shipping line pattern badge but I'll never know so the general pattern will be ok.

[DAVID B HOWELL]

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks for that Phil, I though I had a badge there for my man but he wouldn't wear an Indian pattern as this was his ship: SS Seven Seas sunk 1st April 1915

I'll move that one one and look for one like yours. I suppose it's possible he might only have worn a shipping line pattern badge but I'll never know so the general pattern will be ok.

Hi Mike It probably would have been worn by your man the India pattern that phil mentioned is only the style it has nothing to do with the wearing of it

David

[Mike]

Hi David, thanks for that. It's a keeper then to go with the medals. I really feel looking at this it could be WW1 vintage.

[Phil2M]

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks for that Phil, I though I had a badge there for my man but he wouldn't wear an Indian pattern as this was his ship: SS Seven Seas sunk 1st April 1915

I'll move that one on and look for one like yours. I suppose it's possible he might only have worn a shipping line pattern badge but I'll never know so the general pattern will be ok.

Sorry for the confusion, Mike

[nbroadarrowz]

I am wondering where the 'Indian pattern' theory came from?
Is there any evidence based research to support this description?
Any help or ideas welcome.

Barry

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Phil2M

Hi Mike,

Purple/blue behind the crown, to my understanding, indiciates engineering. The badge looks to have some age too. The design of this badge has never really changed so its hard to date them precisely.

Phil

Hi Phil. I think the colour behind the anchor is just standard, I've never seen any colour variation between departments onboard, in cases where I have seen it worn, it's been worn by deck officers and engineers alike. However, Purple is the colour between the rank braid worn engineers, other colours are electric blue for radio-electrical officers, green for electro-engineering officers, white for pursers and scarlet for doctors.

Regards

Tony