The normal duty uniform for Canadian Navy officers consisted of a black double breasted jacket with 8 gilt buttons, worn with a white shirt and black tie. Rank insignia was worn on the cuff and CANADA titles in gold wire or embroidery were worn at the top of the sleeves. The jacket was made of a superfine wool cloth such as doeskin or melton. It had a single pocket on the left breast and two flapless waist pockets.
In tropical or hot climates either a white jacket and trousers or a white shirt and shorts were worn. For certain duties, Naval Pattern battledress was also worn, as well as Army Battledress. Rank insignia on tropical and battledress uniforms was worn on shoulderboards.
Greatcoats, Boat Cloaks, and Duffle Coats were worn in cold or wet weather.
Officers of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve wore uniforms identical in cut to those of the Regular Navy. The only distinguishing features of Reserve officers being the style of rank insignia.
A Royal Canadian Navy Lieutenant's jacket. His status as a Regular Officer is indicated by the straight cuff rank stripes. Medal ribbons worn are The 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star with rosette indicating the France And Germany Bar, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal.
This Reserve Lieutenant's status is indicated by the wavy rank stripes and rectangular curl.
The intertwined stripes and Star Of David pattern curl is the identifying feature of this Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Lieutenant's jacket.
A medium length black wool cape known as a Boat Cloak was worn in wet weather when ashore, or in the evening when travelling to or from parties or official functions. It was lined with linen and had either one or two pockets on the inside.
A 10 button front double breasted wool greatcoat was worn in winter months. Rank insignia was worn on detachable epaulettes. The style and cut of the greatcoat remained essentially unchanged from the First World War up to Unification.
Closeup detail of the epaulette on this Commander's greatcoat. Note the wire embroidered Canada title.
