Royal Canadian Navy Regulating Branch
And Naval Police

Petty Officers' and Other
Ratings' Uniforms of the 1950s and 60s

Introduction

The dress regulations for all ranks and branches of the Royal Canadian Navy were detailed in BRCN 108 - Uniform Instructions For The Royal Canadian Navy 1 August 1951, and ammendments thereto.

In the 1951 Uniform instructions there were only two classes of uniforms for Ratings: Class I and Class II. Class I was the "fore and aft rig" which in previous Uniform Instructions was the dress reserved for Chief Petty Officers, now included all Ratings Not Dressed As Seamen. Class II "square rig" for Ratings Dressed As Seamen remained unchanged except in minor details.

Note that specific dress instructions regarding dress of trades or branches such as aircrew jackets, cooks' aprons etc. have been omitted.

Dress No. Particulars
Class I 		Particulars
Class II 		Occasion
1 Blue jacket,
blue trousers,
cap,
plain white shirt,
turn down collar,
black tie,
black shoes or boots,
gold badges,
decorations and
medals. 		Blue jacket,
blue trousers,
cap,
vest or jersey,
blue jean collar,
scarf,
lanyard,
black shoes or boots,
gold badges,
decorations and
medals. 		(a)Inspections.
(b) Ceremonial occasions.
(Note. - Wing collar and black
bow tie may be worn by men
in Class I uniform on an
optional basis at evening
functions, with or
without medals, at the
discretion of the
senior officer.)
2 As for Dress No.1
but with red
or gold badges
and ribbons of
decorations and medals. 		As for Dress No.1
but with red
or gold badges
and ribbons of
decorations and medals. 		(a) Sundays and holidays
onboard.
(b)On leave when uniform
is worn.
(c)Duty-boats crews
when ordered.
(d)On duty on shore.
(e)For other duties
when No.3 Dress is
not appropriate.
3 As for Dress No.1
but with red badges
and
ribbons of decorations
and medals optional. 		As for Dress No.1
without lanyard
but with red badges
and
ribbons of decorations
and medals optional. 		On working days for all
ordinary duties.
4 Respectable blue uniform,
cap,
plain white shirt,
turn down collar,
black tie,
black shoes or
boots,
red badges,
medal ribbons
(optional).
Note:-
A utility singlet
with white scarf
may be worn. 		Respectable blue uniform,
cap,
vest or jersey,
black shoes or
boots,
red badges,
medal ribbons
(optional).
Note:-
A utility singlet
may be worn. 		For night clothing
on board.
Editor's note: NOT night
clothes in the civilian
meaning of the words.
5 Jacket, working,
trousers,working,
shirt,working,
cap,
black shoes or boots,
red badges.
(Note:-
Badges shall not
be worn on
shirt, working by
CPO's.) 		Jacket, working,
trousers,working,
shirt,working,
cap,
black shoes or boots,
red badges. 		On working days when other
clothing might be spoiled.
(Notes:-
1. This dress may be worn
without jacket at the
discretion of the Captain.
2. Blue badges shall be
worn with old style
blue denim dress.

In Hot Climates

Dress No. Particulars
Class I 		Particulars
Class II 		Occasion
11 White tunic,
white trousers,
cap,
white shoes,
blue badges,
decorations and medals. 		White jumper,
white trousers,
cap,
vest,
scarf,
lanyard,
black shoes
or boots,
blue badges,
decorations and medals. 		(a)Inspections.
(b)Ceremonial occasions.
13 As for Dress No.11
but with ribbons of
decorations and medals.
(Black shoes or boots
on shore in bad weather). 		As for Dress No.11
but with ribbons of
decorations and medals. 		(a) Sundays and holidays
onboard.
(b)On leave when uniform
is worn.
(c)Duty-boats crews
when ordered.
(d)On duty on shore.
(e)For other duties
when No.24 Dress is
not appropriate.
(Note:-
No.23 dress may be substituted
at the discretion of
the senior officer.
19 White tropical shirt
worn with neck open,
collar badges,
plain blue trousers,
cap,
black cummerbund,
black shoes. 		At the discretion of
the senior officer. 		Optional dress for
informal evening wear
onboard.
23 Khaki jacket,
khaki trousers,
khaki belt,
cap,
khaki shirt,
collar badges,
black tie,
black shoes
or boots,
red badges,
ribbons of decorations
and medals. 		No.13 or No.2,
(without the jumper
at the discretion
of the senior officer). 		Ordinary occasions when
appropriate in hot
climates and in the
summer in Canada in
lieu of No.2 or 3 Dress.
24 Khaki trousers,
khaki belt,
cap,
khaki shirt,
collar badges,
black tie,
black shoes
or boots,or
Dress No.5 when
nature of duties
being performed are of
such a nature as
to soil dress
No.24.
(Notes:-
1. Khaki washable
trousers may be
worn.
2. The black tie may
be omitted and
the sleeves rolled up
at the discretion of
the senior officer). 		No.5 or No.3 without
the jumper. 		In lieu of No.23 Dress
at the discretion of
the senior officer.
25 Shirt, working,
blue shorts,
blue belt,
cap,
sandals,
blue badges.
(Note:-
Badges shall not
be worn on
shirt, working by
CPO's.) 		Shirt, working,
blue shorts,
blue belt,
cap,
sandals,
blue badges. 		On board on non-ceremonial
occasions at the discretion
of the senior officer.

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