For those naval officers in the Royal Canadian Navy who pine for a return to a fourth row of buttons on their reefer tunic, they may be surprised to notice that Admiral Beatty apparently preferred three rows, as he is the only one in this photograph who is marching to the beat of his own drummer. Hat tip to the "Gate and Gaiters" forum for this discovery.
Is there a movement within the RCN now to return to four rows of buttons, or just wishful thinking?
ReplyDeleteToo costly, but I have it on good sources that Admiral Maddison would otherwise support it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent to see this blog back in action! Thank you for the recent posts!
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, I can hardly imagine a fourth row of buttons couldn't be afforded. Surely, the officers would purchase their own uniforms and any "issue" kit could be replaced gradually as inventory is wound down? Perhaps the admiral does not want to inflict extra costs upon the sailors?
Most of the kit is provided at taxpayer expense. They are not required to pay for their own uniforms, only their mess kitts and some of the extras.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a wealthy benefactor, I would fund the entire cost from my own pocket.
I see. Unfortunate, but maybe they will still make the change sometime in the future. I also heard that they were thinking of new cap badges for both the RCN and the RCAF... any substance to that rumour?
ReplyDeleteThe custom/expectation for officers is, or at least was, that they fulfil their obligations as gentlemen and therefore retain the services of a good tailor to ensure a proper fit for their uniforms. It would appear that Admiral Beatty decided to forego any alteration. Three rows or four, there is no excuse to turn out sloppily. The standard issue CF uniforms are sartorially dreadful things that require appropriate adjustment. Off the rack just won't do!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather them forget about the stupid tailoring and put the money into getting operational dress uniforms into the system. I'm down to one set of serviceable combats and they're two sizes too big. My shirt looks like a night gown and my trousers are six inches too long. My other two sets of combats are worn out and full of holes, but they can't be exchanged because there aren't any more in the system. When they can get me OD uniforms that don't make me look like a circus clown, I'll meet them half way and tailor my SD uniform.
ReplyDeleteEven Major Martin, R.M., carried a bill in his pocket from Gieves for the sake of verisimilitude. 21st century officers should blush to fall below the standard of tailoring set by The Man Who Never Was.
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