For the most part, Officers and Ratings of the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve wore uniforms identical to those worn by the Royal Navy. Ratings normally wore "square rig" consisting of jumper and bellbottom trousers with a typical navy flat cap. The image above is of a typical RCNVR seaman circa the mid 1920s. He is wearing an early pattern cap with RCNVR cap ribbon, blue jumper and blue collar with three white "wavy navy" tapes.
Of interest are the 3/4 inch embroidered "V" badges on his cuffs, indicating Volunteer status. These were introduced into British service in 1923, evidently Canada also adopted the practice.
An affectation of some sailors was to privately purchase specially tailored uniforms of superior quality, known as "tiddly suits". The jumpers were tailored so tight that often a messmate's assistance was required pulling the jumper over the shoulders. Or alternatively, zippers were sewn into the sides of the jumpers. Silk shirts and artificially faded collars were worn and gold badges replaced the issue red insignia. An extra piece of cloth was sewn into the bottom of the trousers, expanding them into very wide bell-bottoms. These "tiddly suits" would be worn only off duty, thus evading the the wrath of Chief Petty Officers or the Master At Arms.
For the uninitiated (the author included) the naval square rig uniform is very complicated. It consists of a number of items, the design of which are all deeply rooted in Naval tradition. The basic design dates back to the 1850s when standard uniforms for seamen were introduced into Royal Navy service.
The white vest or "gunshirt" was worn under the jumper or without the jumper when working in warm weather. Originally it was simply cut from a single piece of cloth without a blue tape around the neck. By the First World War it was of the pattern illustrated, which remained unchanged until the abolition of traditional Navy uniform in 1967.
The flannel was a wool version of the gunshirt worn in cold weather. It was usually cut for a very close fit and often the sides were slit for ease of dressing. Both the gunshirt and flannel were availible in abbreviated shirtfront or "dicky" style, and were secured with cloth ties.
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A number of different patterns of blue denim collars were issued. These were buttoned or tied inside the jumper, with only the back and a few inches of the sides showing. As the blue tended to fade with age, some sailors would wash and rewash their collars to give the impression of long service.
The collar worn by RCNVR ratings from the First World War until the mid 1920s had 3 wavy tapes. Although this pattern of tape was declared obsolete in 1923, they continued in wear for a number of years.
A long black silk handkerchief was worn as a necktie. The ends were joined by sewing or pinning into a loop, the join was concealed under the collar and the loop in front, known as the "bight" was secured by the two black tapes on the front of the jumper. For dress occasions the knot was a bowtie, for duty, in a sailor's knot.
Officers and ratings on police duties wore the standard naval uniform of their rank. For ratings, this consisted of the familiar blue or white jumper, blue collar, silk necktie, gunshirt and bellbottom trousers. Ratings wore their rank insignia on the left sleeve, trade badges were worn on the right sleeve. Naval Police Armbands of various patterns were sometimes worn on the left forearm, but often the symbol of authority was simply a white waistbelt, with or without a revolver.
Local dress and equipment was specified by Ship or Base Standing Orders. During peacetime, Naval Police or Shore Patrol Parties were not normally armed.
The image on the right is that of an Ordinary Patrolman circa 1944. The white duck (canvas) jumper is worn with a standard blue denim collar. The silk is worn under the collar and tied in front, but the knot is tucked inside the jumper. The revolver lanyard was commonly worn as shown, looped around the collar and under the right arm. The weapon carried is a .455 Webley Mk VI revolver. The Naval Patrol armlet is worn on the left cuff. Matching white duck bell bottom trousers and black boots were worn with this order of dress.