Originally Posted by
MacLowlife
JOCK, Is this the source of the phrase Wavy Navy?
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I cannot speak with absolute authority on this, but I think the RNVR wavy stripes did in fact lead to that title.
In my youth I remember my father , who was quite senior in the RN, telling me a definition of the three groups of officers. Rather silly in many ways but I think does contain an element of truth within, in rather a whimsical way:
Royal Navy(RN): Gentlemen and sailors.
Royal Naval Reserve(RNR): Sailors, but not gentlemen.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve(RNVR): Gentlemen, but not sailors.
My father, notwithstanding the above, was in awe of all the daring deeds ,sacrifices and skill that all three groups of sailors, of any rank, achieved within the Royal Navy as well as those from the Merchant Marine during WW2.
Last edited by Jock Scot; 27th December 14 at 10:09 AM.
" Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.
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