The RN Signalman has been around for many years dating from the 19th century, with the RN Telegraphist officially coming onboard in 1907 when the W/T Branch was formed. Before 1907, signalmen had double-banked and supported [when required] telegraphists. However, this meant that there was no full time professional to deal with the increasing demands of technology and the admirals complained that the part-time job approach was adversely affecting their ability to fight their fleets.
It wasn't until the last decade of the 19th century that badges were designed for Signalmen with the Telegraphists getting their first badge two years after formation in 1909.
Here then is a breakdown of each branch badge with a few dates I have randomly plucked from the air covering 1890 to 1972, a eighty two year period. In some cases, the rates shown went on well after my watershed of 1972.
Chief Yeoman of Signals |
Petty Officer, RN Shore Signal Service [worn on LEFT ARM] 1925 to 1932 |
BADGE | RATE | DATES |
Crown and star above, two stars below | Chief Yeoman of Signals | 1909-1932 |
Crown and star above, star below | Signal Instructor | 1890-1909 |
Crown above, two stars below | Visual Signalling Instructor | 1951-1958 |
Crown above, two stars below | Tactical Communications Instructor | 1958-1972 |
Crown above, star below | Visual Signalman 1st class | 1934-1948 |
Crown above, star below | Visual Signalling Instructor | 1948-1951 |
Crown above, star below | Chief Yeoman of Signals on higher rate of pay | 1951-1958 |
Crown above, star below | Chief Communications Yeoman on higher rate of pay | 1958-1972 |
Crown above, SSS below | Petty Officer RN shore signal service [worn on the left arm] | 1925-1932 |
Crown above | Chief Yeoman of Signals | 1932-1934 |
Crown above | Yeoman of Signals | 1932-1934 |
Crown above | Visual Signalman 2nd class [if a CPO or a PO] | 1934-1948 |
Crown above | Chief Yeoman of Signals | 1948-1951 |
Crown above | Chief Yeoman of Signals [lower rate of pay] | 1951-1958 |
Crown above | Chief Communications Yeoman [lower rate of pay] | 1958-1972 |
Crown above | Yeoman of Signals | 1948-1958 |
Crown above | Communications Yeoman | 1958-1972 |
Star above, two stars below | Qualified Signalman, higher standard class 1 | 1904-1909 |
Star above, two stars below | Yeoman of Signals | 1909-1932 |
Star above, two stars below | Visual Signalman 2nd class [if below PO rate] | 1934-1948 |
Star above, star below | Qualified Signalman passed for higher grade | 1890-1904 |
Star above, star below | Qualified Signalman higher standard class II | 1904-1909 |
Star above, star below | Leading Signalman | 1909-1932 |
Star above, star below | Visual Signalman 3rd class | 1934-1948 |
Star above, star below | Leading Signalman | 1948-1958 |
Star above, star below | Communications Yeoman [lower rate of pay] | 1958-1972 |
Star above, star below | Leading Tactical Communications Operator | 1958-1962 |
Star above, star below | Tactical Communications Operator 1st class passed for Leading Tactical Operator | 1958-1962 |
Star above, letter 'C' below | Leading Coder | 1940-1941 |
Star above | Qualified Signalman | 1890-1909 |
Star above | Signalman | 1909-1934 |
Star above | Trained Operator [Visual Signalling] | 1934-1948 |
Star above | Signalman | 1948-1958 |
Star above | Tactical Communications Operator 2nd class | 1958-1962 |
Star above | Leading Signalman | 1932-1934 |
Letters 'BD' below | Visual Signalman [boom defence] | 1941-1948 |
Letter 'C' below | Leading Coder | 1941-1948 |
Letter 'C' below | Coder or Ordinary Coder | 1940-1948 |
Letters 'LC' below | Landing Craft Signalman | 1943-1948 |
Letters 'SSS' below | Signalman RN shore signal service [worn on left arm] | 1925-1932 |
Without additions | Signalman | 1890-1909 |
Without additions | Signalman if not trained operator [visual signalling] | 1934-1948 |
Without additions | Ordinary Signalman | 1890-1958 |
Without additions | Tactical Communications Operator | 1958-1962 |
Without additions | Signal Boy | 1890-1956 |
Without additions | Junior Signalman | 1956-1958 |
Without additions | Junior Tactical Communications Operator | 1958-1962 |
Without additions | Convoy Signalman | 1941-1948 |
WRNS Communications Branch - Crossed Flags | Signal Distributions Office Watchkeepers; Code; Classifier; Teleprinter Operator; R/T Operator; Visual Signaller | 1941-1962 |
WRNS Communications Branch - Crossed Flags | Switchboard Operators | 1941-1965 |
CPO Radio Mechanic Fleet Air Arm 1944-1948
|
Wireless Instructor; Radio Communications Instructor 1951-1972 CPO or PO |
BADGE | RATE | DATES |
Crown and 'A' above, 'M' below | CPO Radio Mechanic Fleet Air Arm | 1944-1948 |
Crown above, two stars below | Wireless Instructor | 1951-1958 |
Crown above, two stars below | Radio Communications Instructor | 1958-1972 |
Crown above, star below | Wireless Telegraphist 1st class | 1934-1948 |
Crown above, star below | Wireless Instructor | 1948-1951 |
Crown above, star below | CPO Telegraphist [higher rate of pay] | 1951-1958 |
Crown above, star below | Chief Radio Supervisor [higher rate of pay] | 1958-1972 |
Crown above, and letter 'M' below | CPO Radio Mechanic | 1944-1948 |
Crown above | CPO Telegraphist | 1909-1934 |
Crown above | PO Telegraphist | 1909-1934 |
Crown above | CPO/PO Wireless Telegraphist 2nd class | 1934-1948 |
Crown above | CPO Telegraphist | 1948-1951 |
Crown above | CPO Telegraphist [lower rate of pay] | 1951-1958 |
Crown above | Chief Radio Supervisor | 1958-1972 |
Crown above | PO Telegraphist | 1951-1958 |
Crown above | Radio Supervisor | 1958-1972 |
Star above, two stars below | Wireless Telegraphist 2nd class [if neither a CPO or a PO] | 1934-1948 |
Star above, star below | Leading Telegraphist | 1909-1932 |
Star above, star below | Wireless Telegraphist 3rd class | 1934-1948 |
Star above, star below | Leading Telegraphist | 1948-1958 |
Star above, star below | Leading Radio Operator | 1958-1972 |
Star above, star below | Telegraphist passed for Leading Telegraphist | 1948-1958 |
Star above, star below | Radio Operator 1st class passed for Leading Radio Operator | 1958-1972 |
Star above | Leading Telegraphist | 1932-1934 |
Star above | Telegraphist | 1909-1934 |
Star above | Trained Operator [W/T] | 1934-1948 |
Star above | Telegraphist | 1948-1958 |
Star above | Radio Operator 1st class | 1958-1972 |
Leter 'A' above, letter 'M' below | Radio Mechanic [if not a CPO] Fleet Air Arm | 1944-1948 |
Letter 'M' below | Radio Mechanic | 1944-1947 |
Letter 'P' below | Radar Plot Ratings [not qualified in seamanship] | 1944-1948 |
Letter 'R' below | Radar Control Rating [not qualified in seamanship] | 1944-1948 |
Letters 'SWS' | Worn by ratings employed by the Shore Wireless Service in places like Whitehall Wireless for example. | 1930-1965 |
Without additions | Ordinary Telegraphist | 1909-1958 |
Without additions | Radio Operator 3rd class | 1958-1972 |
Without additions | Telegraphist [not trained operator] | 1934-1958 |
Without additions | Boy Telegraphist | 1909-1956 |
Without additions | Junior Telegraphist | 1956-1958 |
Without additions | Junior Radio Operator | 1962-1972 |
Without additions | Radio Mechanic [unqualified] | 1944-1947 |
WRNS - Communications Branch - Wings crossed by lightning Flash | Radar Operator; Telegraphists | 1942-1958 |
WRNS - Communications Branch - Wings crossed by lightning Flash | Radio Operators | 1958-1972 |