We want to find out more about my dad's naval career.
Our family has never been one for keeping old photographs and, now that most of my parent’s generation are dead, it isn’t possible to find out the full story behind some of the photos we do have. We have a couple of him in his naval uniform, which we know date to around 1944, but after that the details are sketchy. What I’d really like to know is what the badge on his sleeve can tell us about his naval career. The photograph is an enlarged version taken from a bigger picture of him and it would be great if someone recognised the insignia and could tell us some more about it.
Here’s hoping!
Editor’s Note, November 2008:
I’m delighted to say that we’ve had some extra information about this badge, provided by Len Stott of Canada and his friend Fred Wingrove. Fred has told us that there are two distinct badges shown on the uniform sleeve. One is the stripe, recognising four years of good conduct. The other is the crossed anchors which indicates a Petty Officer. The crown above the “crossed hooks” is a King George crown and was in use until the Queen took the throne when the King died on February 6th. 1952 and she has a slightly different crown.
Fred also points out that the Petty Officer must have had an accelerated advancement because of shortages caused by the war, as it was very rare to see “a one badge Petty Officer”. Usually it was older hands with eight or twelve years good conduct (two and three stripes) that were promoted because of their knowledge of Naval activities. So this guy was special in as much as he was promoted so young.
Many thanks to Fred and Len and if anyone has any more information to share, we’d love to hear from you.