Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• Issuing of uniforms

• Rules for naval dress

• World War Two uniform

• Post War changes to uniform

World War Two uniform

During World War Two it was difficult to get supplies of naval uniform. This meant that sometimes crews of smaller ships couldn’t follow the naval dress rules. These sailors wore non-uniform items like knitted blue jumpers and scarves. A shortage of expensive gold lace during the war meant that officers only wore rank lace half way around the sleeves of their jackets instead of all the way round.

On the other hand, the Navy strictly enforced the importance of wearing uniform to protect sailors in different areas of the conflict. This included wearing tropical uniform in hot climates, arctic uniform in cold climates and diving suits for under the water. New kinds of clothes protected sailors’ skin against heat from the blasts of enemy weapons.

To find out about Post War changes to uniform, select Next