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.
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. |
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. |