I was a cadet for many years and was told that the collar originated as a method of keeping the tar which the sailors used to put on their pig tails , off of their jackets. The three white stripes around the collar represented Nelson’s three major victories. Trafalgar, Copenhagen and the Nile. The lanyard was a hangover from the days when they had a hook on the end , which was part of the firing mechanism for the cannons . The black silk represented the headbands sailors wore and the trousers were folded And creased seven times to represent the seven seas. Whether that was true or not, it made sense to me. Gave purpose and pride to the uniform and still fresh in my mind at the age of 77❤
And when the Royal Navy left Malta, the Royal Navy really missed Malta! Many of my friends are half Maltese, having Maltese fathers and Mothers from the UK (usually Portsmouth). Malta is a lovely country, you are so lucky to live there.
My father said he was in the Royal Navy based in Gibraltar and Malta, until the late 50s-60s . He said he had a white uniform. Can you confirm if the uniform was the Royal navy please.
Pretty sure right cuff red chevrons were a civil defence award, and you wouldn't see red and gold mixed on a jumper. The jumper was originally a pullover type - later it would become a zip-front jacket style. Many ask why 3 white stripes on the collar? Simple...4 looks too many and 2 looks too few. Bell-bottoms used to have a flap-front at the waist with the jumper worn outside the waistband. This was later dropped for a conventional button fly, and then a zipped fly. Royal Yacht ratings retained the flap-front trousers with the jumper tucked in so that a black ribbon bow was visible at the rear after the death of Prince Albert. Box crease were common on the bell-bottoms - 7 for long legs, and 5 for shorter legs. Lanyards were eventually discouraged aboard ship as part of working rig, because of the slip-knot around the neck hazard. Unofficial uniform alterations: pennies/half-crowns would be sewn into the bell-bottom hems to make them flap more. Silver threepenny bits would be tied into the cap ribbon bow to give a decorative centre, and under the jumper cuffs would often be sewn embroidered patches, such as dragons and other motifs, showing far east/foreign visits.
That's the way the legs were folded up, concertina style, to reduce the size for storage in one's locker. My brother, as a landlocked UK Sea Cadet in the 60s, had to iron them in for Parade! I think there had to be 8 creases in each leg.
I was a cadet for many years and was told that the collar originated as a method of keeping the tar which the sailors used to put on their pig tails , off of their jackets. The three white stripes around the collar represented Nelson’s three major victories. Trafalgar, Copenhagen and the Nile. The lanyard was a hangover from the days when they had a hook on the end , which was part of the firing mechanism for the cannons . The black silk represented the headbands sailors wore and the trousers were folded And creased seven times to represent the seven seas. Whether that was true or not, it made sense to me. Gave purpose and pride to the uniform and still fresh in my mind at the age of 77❤
And when the Royal Navy left Malta, the Royal Navy really missed Malta! Many of my friends are half Maltese, having Maltese fathers and Mothers from the UK (usually Portsmouth). Malta is a lovely country, you are so lucky to live there.
Best place in the world Amazing people I LOVE YOU ALL AND STILL VISIT EVERY YEAR
My father said he was in the Royal Navy based in Gibraltar and Malta, until the late 50s-60s . He said he had a white uniform. Can you confirm if the uniform was the Royal navy please.
Correct. White warm climate No. 1 dress was worn by other ratings in the Mediterranean.
Pretty sure right cuff red chevrons were a civil defence award, and you wouldn't see red and gold mixed on a jumper.
The jumper was originally a pullover type - later it would become a zip-front jacket style. Many ask why 3 white stripes on the collar? Simple...4 looks too many and 2 looks too few.
Bell-bottoms used to have a flap-front at the waist with the jumper worn outside the waistband. This was later dropped for a conventional button fly, and then a zipped fly. Royal Yacht ratings retained the flap-front trousers with the jumper tucked in so that a black ribbon bow was visible at the rear after the death of Prince Albert.
Box crease were common on the bell-bottoms - 7 for long legs, and 5 for shorter legs.
Lanyards were eventually discouraged aboard ship as part of working rig, because of the slip-knot around the neck hazard.
Unofficial uniform alterations: pennies/half-crowns would be sewn into the bell-bottom hems to make them flap more. Silver threepenny bits would be tied into the cap ribbon bow to give a decorative centre, and under the jumper cuffs would often be sewn embroidered patches, such as dragons and other motifs, showing far east/foreign visits.
Thank you😅
Cap tally?
Creases on the bell-bottoms?
That's the way the legs were folded up, concertina style, to reduce the size for storage in one's locker. My brother, as a landlocked UK Sea Cadet in the 60s, had to iron them in for Parade! I think there had to be 8 creases in each leg.
Very strong Maltese accent :)
When we had a real navy..