*British, WWII, Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer’s Peaked Cap, Named to Submariner R. R. Palmer, C.E.R.A.*
A genuine Second World War Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer’s peaked cap, named inside to R. R. Palmer – C.E.R.A. This early-war example retains all the correct features of pre- and early-WWII manufacture, including the green underside to the peak, quilted “doughnut” lining, original leather sweatband, narrow chin strap, and its untouched dark navy wool crown. The cap carries its correct padded bullion King’s Crown badge for a Chief Petty Officer, complete with laurel wreath and fouled anchor.
The naming corresponds with Raymond Reeve Palmer, CMX50722, a Royal Navy Chief Engine Room Artificer who served with the 6th Submarine Flotilla during the war. Palmer was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in the 1945 New Year Honours List and qualified for the 1939–45 Star and War Medal 1939–45. The strong match between name, rank and wartime service—together with his decoration—makes it highly likely that this cap belonged to him. Named caps attributed to decorated wartime submariners are particularly uncommon and add significantly to the interest and rarity of the piece.
Historical Note:
The cap badge, or “cockade,” follows the long-established Royal Navy pattern for senior ratings, featuring the King’s Crown above a gilt fouled anchor enclosed within a laurel wreath—symbolising authority, seniority and long professional service. This style remained the standard CPO badge throughout the reign of George VI and was worn by experienced technical and administrative chiefs across the fleet.
The rank Chief Engine Room Artificer (C.E.R.A.) was equivalent to a Chief Petty Officer and represented one of the Navy’s most skilled senior ratings. CERAs were responsible for the reliability of a vessel’s engines, generators, pumps, compressors and all associated mechanical systems. On submarines this role was even more critical: a CERA’s expertise could determine whether a boat successfully completed patrols, evaded detection, or returned safely to port.
Raymond Reeve Palmer served with the 6th Submarine Flotilla, an operational formation active in North Sea and Atlantic waters during the war. His award of the British Empire Medal highlights distinguished service in one of the most technically demanding and hazardous branches of the wartime Royal Navy. A named CPO’s cap with such a strong likelihood of belonging to a decorated submariner is an attractive and scarce find.
*Condition*
The cap displays honest service wear with scattered nap loss to the wool crown, light surface marks, and natural ageing to the peak, chin strap and mohair CPO band. The interior remains sound with the original leather sweatband and hand-applied name tape. The bullion badge retains very good definition and has not been replaced or modernised. Overall this is a well-preserved, untouched wartime cap with attractive named provenance. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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