Australian Navy Cloth Ship Patches

[irish]

I found an album of Aussie ship patches at a recent show. these were brought home from the Philippine Islands in the early 1980's Likely made in the Subic Bay area from the 1960's 1970's era of manufacture. They caught my eye so I picked them up. Can anyone tell me the usage for these patches. I will post more if anyone is interested. Thanks.

[pickled frog]

Patches

Each patch is named to a particular Australian ship. If you google information about each one you will have its history. Usually worn on the sleeve of overalls. I beleive the other letters on each patch denotes the wearers work section. Cheers Roy

[peter monahan]

"I beleive the other letters on each patch denotes the wearers work section."

Or might the letters and numbers indicate the official number of each ship?

Many naval vessels in many navies are named but also display an alphanumeric on the bows, meant to be visible at a distance. Perhaps the "DE-49", for example, indicates a Destroyer Escort vessel or something like that?

Peter

[irish]

Are these for official wear or souvenir type jacket pieces? thanks

[Swain]

The Badges are mainly el cheapo copies of the ships official badge. They would normally be worn on work dress such as work jackets or overalls. Not really 'official' but tolerated in non public situations. The numbers are the the ships official hull number. A destroyer in the period in which these badges were produced was designated a DD. If guided missile armed the designator G was added thus HMAS Hobart was DDG39. HMAS Perth DDG 38, HMAS Brisbane DDG41 etc. Broadly this followed the USN method of the time.