Ships’ and Establishments’ Badges and Mottoes BRd 2

CHAPTER 88

SHIPS' AND ESTABLISHMENTS' BADGES AND MOTTOES

(MOD Sponsor: CNSA)

CONTENTS

Para
8801. Entitlement to a Badge
8802. Design
8803. Approval of Design
8804. Categories of Badges
8805. Shape and Size
8806. Production and Issue to Ships and Establishments
8807. HM Ships and RFAs - Entitlement and First Issue
8808. Royal Naval Air Squadrons, and those Royal Naval Establishments and
Schools Entitled to a Badge
8809. Type Badges
8810. Entitlement and First Issue
8811. Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service
8812. Spare
8813. Accounting and Disposal
8814. Use of Badges for Purposes other than Display in Ships and Establishments
or on Stationery
8815. Mottoes

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CHAPTER 88

SHIPS' AND ESTABLISHMENTS' BADGES AND MOTTOES

8801. Entitlement to a Badge

1. The authority responsible for the design and registration of badges and to whom all
applications should be submitted, is the Ships’ Names and Badges Committee (Chairman
- Captain Naval Ship Acceptance (CNSA), Secretary – Admiralty Librarian/NS(H)AL).

2. Badges/Emblems fall into three categories:

a. Official RN Badges

HM ships and submarines, Royal Naval Air Squadrons, RFAs, and vessels
employed on naval service and those Royal Naval establishments and schools
that have been commissioned by name as one of HM ships are entitled to an
official RN badge, with the heraldic design surrounded by a twisted rope frame to
the prescribed shape (see Para 8805), and surmounted with the name of the unit
and a naval crown.

b. Semi-Official Badges

Surface ship and submarine squadrons, and recognized operational commands

are entitled to a semi-official badge. These badges must be submitted to the
SNBC for approval to ensure propriety and to prevent unwitted duplication of past
and current official RN badges. They are to contain the heraldic design,
surrounded by the twisted rope circular frame, surmounted with the name of the
organization. They are not to contain the Naval Crown, so as to distinguish them
from Official RN Badges. They are not covered by any public funding.

c. Official Badges for Operational Flag Commands

These contain as Emblem the appropriate Flag, surrounded on a white

background by a twisted rope in a circular frame. Seagoing commands may use
additionally a wavy blue line background. They are to be surmounted by the Flag
Appointment and the Naval Crown. COMRFA will exceptionally have as Emblem
the RFA Commodore’s pennant and is to be in a pentagonal surmount. The
design is to be registered with the SNBC.

3. Any other Emblems for MOD(N) organizations are entirely unofficial, and are a matter
for the authority concerned. They are not to be displayed inside a twisted rope frame nor
have the Naval Crown on top.

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8802. Design

1. The design of a badge is linked with the name of a ship, establishment, school or the
number of an air squadron. It can be assumed that names or numbers which have been
used in the past for RN ships, establishments, or air squadrons will have an approved
design of badges which is, or will be, used for subsequent bearers of the same name or
number. A new design for a badge is only required when a new name or number is brought
into use or, in exceptional circumstances, where an existing approved design is thought to
be inappropriate. The design, once approved, may be used in printed form on stationery,
or in the form of a manufactured plaque (see 8810 sub para 2).

8803. Approval of Design

1. Approval of designs for badges is the responsibility of the Ships’ Names and Badges
Committee assisted by the Royal Navy’s Adviser on heraldry who is a member of the
committee.

a. Existing designs. The original paintings (sealed pattern) of all existing approved
designs are held by the Naval Historical Branch.

b. Changes to approved designs. The design of a badge remains unchanged, not

just during the life of a particular unit but in virtual perpetuity; however, while there
is sometimes good cause to reconsider a design on the entry into service of a new
unit this is unlikely to be the case part-way through the life of an existing one and
will only be considered under very exceptional circumstances.

c. New designs. When ships, establishments, or air squadrons for which there are
no extant badges are to be brought into service, the Ships’ Names and Badges
Committee should be requested to provide a design. The Committee will take into
consideration suggestions proposed by the ships or establishments concerned
but the final decision on the design remains with the committee. When a design
has been approved by the Ships’ Names and Badges Committee, the sealed
pattern is forwarded to the Naval Historical Branch.

d. Semi-official badge designs. Designs for semi-official badges are not covered by
public funding. Approval remains the responsibility of the SNBC, but the design is
the responsibility of the sponsor. Arrangements for a design by the Royal Navy’s
Adviser on Heraldry at the sponsor’s cost may be made through the Naval
Historical Branch.

8804. Categories of Badges

1. Badges fall into the following categories:

a. Ships’ badges. Full-sized reproduction of the design for display in the ship or
establishment.

b. Boats’ badges. Smaller-sized reproductions of the design for display on ships’

boats.

c. Type badges. Reproduction of a design approved for a group of similar small

ships, craft or small establishments.

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d. Presentation badges. Smaller-sized reproductions of the design for presentation

purposes.

8805. Shape and Size

1. Shape and size of badges have in the past varied but are now standardized as follows:

a. General. The badge consists of an heraldic design surrounded by a ‘rope’ frame.

The name or number is included in a panel at the top of the frame which is
surmounted by the naval crown. There should be no embellishments to the frame.

b. Shape of frame.

HM ships and submarines....................................................................…..circular

RN establishments and schools...............................................................diamond
RFAs and RMAS vessels................................................... .....…...pentagonal RN
Air squadrons..................................................................... ......................Circular

c. Size.

(1) Ship’s badge. 30 cms inside diameter of frame for circular badges, and in
proportion for diamond-shaped and pentagonal badges (except for
conventional submarines where the inside diameter is to be 14 cms.
(2) Boat’s badge.............................................................................13 cms inside
(3) Type badge.............................................................................. 13 cms inside
(4) Presentation badge (Occasional Use)...........................…......13 cms inside
(5) Presentation badge (General Use)....................................…. 9.5 cms inside

2. No badge is to be displayed by a ship or establishment unless it is first approved by

the Ships’ Names and Badges Committee. No departure from the approved design as
shown in the sealed pattern held by the Naval Historical Branch.

3. To reduce production costs, Project Managers of new construction ships are to contact
Naval Historical Branch for details of sizes of master carvings and moulds held in stock.
Whenever possible these should be used to meet the requirements laid down in 3805
sub para 1.

4. Correspondence on the design of and entitlement to badges should be addressed,

through normal Service channels, to Naval Historical Branch.

8806. Production and Issue to Ships and Establishments

1. The sealed patterns are held by Mezzanine 3, 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London,
SW1A 2HW and the master carving and requisite moulds of all designs are stored at
Devonport. Supply of badges to ships, squadrons, and establishments is as shown in the
following paragraphs.

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8807. HM Ships and RFAs - Entitlement and First Issue

1. The following will be supplied to ships building:

a. Colour photograph of design and heraldic description for inclusion in the ship’s
record.

b. One ship’s badge.

c. Sufficient boats’ badges to allow two for each ship’s boat shown on the drawings.

d. One rubber mould of the badge in presentation badge size (occasional).

e. Two rubber moulds of the badge in presentation badge size (General use).

One ship’s badge and a coloured photograph will be supplied to Naval Historical Branch
for display. The manufacture of ships’ badges will be the responsibility of the shipbuilder
who will be provided on request with the heraldic description and a coloured copy of the
sealed pattern.

8808. Royal Naval Air Squadrons, and those Royal Naval Establishments and
Schools Entitled to a Badge

1. After the final approval of the sealed pattern Naval Historical Branch will send a
coloured copy of the design to the appropriate establishment for them to make the
necessary arrangements for manufacture.

8809. Type Badges

1. This applies to certain classes of HM ships, which are not major war vessels.

8810. Entitlement and First Issue

1. Should a ship which is entitled only to use a type badge be given a name for which a
badge is already approved, it may, subject to approval of the Ships’ Names and Badges
Committee, use that badge instead of a type badge.

2. Otherwise, owing to the expense of providing individual badges to smaller ships, craft
and establishments, the issue of a badge to these units is restricted to a type badge. The
design of a type badge is approved in accordance with Para 8803. The shipbuilder will be
asked to supply a rubber mould of the badge, in boat badge size which will be the type
badge with the appropriate name inserted. The design may then be used for reproduction
by the ships, craft or establishments of the type, e.g., on writing paper or Christmas cards,
the name of the particular unit or ship being inserted in the name panel. If an individual ship
or establishment, for which a type badge has already been approved, wishes to display a
badge they should submit a request to their administrative authority or Type Commander.
If their request is approved the badge should be produced from local resources using the
mould provided.

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8811. Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service

1. The foregoing instructions also apply to the RMAS but as the RMAS includes some
large ships, approval has been given in some cases for a ship’s badge to be issued. It is
not the intention to issue every RMAS vessel with a badge but each vessel will be
considered on its merits by NBSA/DBS in consultation with the Ships’ Names and Badges
Committee. The following administrative authorities hold ships’ and boats’ size moulds and
instructions for the local production of RMAS type badges:

RMAS Headquarters Pembroke Dock CFB.

2. Badges are to be accounted for by their inclusion in vessels’ Permanent Stores

Account.

8812. Spare

8813. Accounting and Disposal

1. The cost of provision of official ships’ badges and photographs will be met by
individual projects. Establishments and schools will finance the manufacture of their own
badges.

2. Badges and moulds issued to ships are to be regarded as part of the initial supply of
stores, to be accounted for by the Supply Officer on the Permanent Loan Register.

3. Semi-official badges receive no public funding.

8814. Use of Badges for Purposes other than Display in Ships and Establishments
or on Stationery

1. Presentation badges

a. Presentation badges for ships, submarines, RFAs and front-line naval air
squadrons entitled to the issue of a ship’s badge are issued and mounted by
ships’ or squadrons’ resources for presentation purposes. This is in recognition of
the fact that they are required to present tokens of appreciation, for example for
hospitality extended to them during visits at home and abroad. Shore
establishments are not entitled to these arrangements in view of the high cost and
the fact that there is a limited need for such gifts to be made by shore
establishments. HM ships entitled to use a type badge may use presentation
badges made from the mould supplied to the administrative authority or Type
Commander.

b. The moulds for new vessels will be provided by the shipbuilder and are to be
regarded as part of the initial supply of stores accounted for by the Supply Officer
on the Permanent Loan Register as in the case for ships’ and boats’ badges.

c. Instructions for the manufacture, painting and mounting of the badges will be
forwarded with the moulds.

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d. To limit the resources expended in the preparation of presentation badges and to

maintain the high standards required of such mementos, Commanding Officers
are to ensure that such gifts are kept to a reasonable minimum.

2. Photographs and reproductions of badge designs. Photographs and reproductions of

badge designs, together with written information about heraldic descriptions may be
purchased direct from Naval Historical Branch. Designs officially approved as the badges
of HM ships and establishments are covered by Crown Copyright and therefore a fee may
be payable in respect of the reproduction of such designs. Requests for permission to
reproduce badge designs should be addressed to Intellectual Property Rights Group, MoD
Abbey Wood, giving an indication of the scale of reproduction considered.

8815. Mottoes

1. The design of a badge does not include a motto. The Ships’ Names and Badges
Committee does not initiate action to provide mottoes for new designs of badges, but is
responsible for approving those which may be required. A Commanding Officer of a ship
or establishment entitled to a ship’s badge but which does not have a motto may, if he so
desires, submit proposals for a motto for approval by the Ships’ Names and Badges
Committee. It will not normally be changed during the period of the ship or establishment’s
service. Exceptionally, if an approved motto is thought to be no longer appropriate, a ship
or establishment may propose an alteration, together with justifications, through the
normal service channels for consideration by the Ships’ Names and Badges Committee.

2. Correspondence on the approval of mottoes is to be addressed to Naval Historical

Branch.

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