*British, mid-20th Century, Royal Navy Rating’s Working / Training Dress Uniform, Queen’s Crown Period, Cotton Drill Jacket with Leading Rate Badge & Broadfall Bell-Bottom Trousers*
Original Royal Navy rating’s working, training, or warm-weather dress uniform comprising a blue cotton drill jacket and traditional broadfall bell-bottom trousers, the sleeve bearing a Queen’s Crown over fouled anchor badge indicating Leading Rate, dating to the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (post-1953).
The short blue jacket is of heavy cotton drill construction with open front, wide collar, and two vertical rows of plain metal buttons, of a practical pattern associated with working, training, or seamanship clothing worn by ratings rather than formal parade dress. The right sleeve carries a stitched cloth branch badge with Queen’s Crown over fouled anchor, consistent with Royal Navy Leading Rate insignia of the mid-20th century.
The trousers are of classic Royal Navy square-rig pattern with broadfall front secured by multiple buttons at the waistband, internal fastening, and rear adjustment, with wide bell-bottom legs as traditionally worn by ratings from the 19th century through the later 20th century. The blue cotton drill fabric indicates working dress rather than formal serge uniform.
Working and training clothing of this type was often less strictly standardised than formal dress, and it was not uncommon for traditional square-rig trousers to be worn with practical jackets for deck work, seamanship instruction, or general shipboard duties. The presence of the Queen’s Crown badge places the uniform in the period after 1953, although elements of the design follow much earlier Royal Navy clothing traditions. No maker’s labels present.
Approx. Measurements – Jacket back width: 40 cm. Sleeve length: 60 cm. Trousers overall length: 110 cm. Inside leg: 74 cm. Waist approx. 49 cm flat (adjustable, intended for braces or belt).
History Note:
Royal Navy ratings retained traditional square-rig clothing well into the mid-20th century, even after more modern uniforms were introduced. Cotton drill garments such as this jacket were commonly worn for working, training, or action duties where durability and ease of cleaning were required. Unlike formal dress, working clothing was often locally issued, altered, or retained in service for long periods, resulting in variations in buttons, cut, and construction. The cotton drill fabric suggests use in working or warm-climate conditions, as such garments were commonly worn on overseas stations and for deck or training duties.
The Queen’s Crown over fouled anchor badge identifies the wearer as a Leading Rate during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1953 onwards). Surviving working dress uniforms are less commonly encountered than parade or service dress, as they were heavily worn and rarely kept after service.
*Condition*
Used service condition with wear, staining, fading and marks consistent with working naval clothing. Buttons present with age wear and oxidation. Sleeve badge intact. Trousers with staining and areas of discolouration. No labels present. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMDEXHE_9216232763
