Help needed, please, to identify uniform

[Bruin]

I'd very much appreciate help in identifying the uniform worn by an ancestor, particularly the cap badge. The photo is dated 1933. He might have been an airman, but merchant navy has also been suggested. Very many thanks.

[Kiltpin]

Not Air Force - Merchant Navy for sure.

Regards

Chas

[Bruin]

Thank you Kiltpin, Regards Bruin

[Kiltpin]

I think that the shipping line was William Cory & Son Ltd.

This site will give further information, under History -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Environmental

I have attached their cap badge.

Regards

Chas

[Bruin]

Hello Kiltpin,
That's so good of you to take the trouble to research this for me. I couldn't find the illustration on the internet, but it looks like you might have found it in a reference book. Hope that it hasn't taken too much of your time. Any idea what rank he would have been, please?
Very many thanks,
Bruin

[Kiltpin]

Although there does not seem to be any real standardisation throughout the merchant marine, a certain inference can be deducted.

Two stripes (whether straight, or wavy or angular) seem to denote  "Second Officer". On larger ships, the many tasks were performed by various named officers. For example, the engineering officer, the catering officer and the like would all have two stripes and although called by different titles are of equal rank.

So your man was a Second Officer, but could have had a speciality.

Regards

Chas

[Bruin]

Once more, you've been absolutely brilliant, Kiltpin.
I tried to work this out for myself, and two rings at first seemed to denote a lieutenant (forgive my obvious ignorance on the subject), but in the exact circumstances your conclusion seems much more plausible. The officer's father was a master baker, so he could indeed have had a speciality in the catering line.
Is it my imagination, or does one of the rings look thinner than the other, - and if so could this have any significance?
Thanks and regards, Bruin

[Kiltpin]

Is it my imagination, or does one of the rings look thinner than the other, - and if so could this have any significance?
Thanks and regards, Bruin

I did wonder that as well. If it is thinner, that denotes Third Officer. The Cory line could have been different, but most most fleets (all those I could find) had the thin stripe at the bottom (nearest the cuff). And they do look thinner, not just maybe. On the whole, I think that it is the angle of the arm and the angle of the camera that is causing it to look thinner.

Regards

Chas

[Bruin]

Grateful thanks to Kiltpin for all his help.
Regards, Bruin