With the exception of the royal marines, who adopted light infantry rank insignia from their earliest days, the Royal Navy was slow to introduce distinguishing rate badges for those serving on the 'lower deck'. Even when they were introduced, in 1853, the corresponding introduction of a uniform was still four years away. As for officers, the design and arrangement of buttons also played a part in distinguishing one rating from another. In a unique compilation, the insignia worn since the mid-19th century by Royal Naval ratings, Royal Marines, queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, the Women's Royal Naval Service, the Merchant Navy, Auxiliaries, Volunteers, youth, and other maritime organizations, are brought together in a single volume. AUTHOR: E.C. Coleman entered the Royal Navy as a 'junior' and left thirty-six years later as a Lieutenant. A life-long student of the Royal Navy's history, he has published several books on the subject including a two volume history of the Royal Navy in polar exploration, and a biography of Captain George Vancouver. In 2010, his history of the Anglo-US conflict, The Pig War, was nominated for the Mountbatten maritime Literature Award. He has always had a fascination with the wide variations in the Royal Navy's insignia. This book follows the first volume of Rank and Rate, which covers officer's insignia since 1856. SELLING POINTS: . A unique pictorial guide to Royal Navy ratings' insignia from the mid-19th century to the present day brought together in a single volume . An invaluable research tool for naval history enthusiasts, collectors and anyone trying to date photographs . Also covers the badges and insignia of three important adjuncts to the Royal Navy: the Royal Marines, QARNNS and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ILLUSTRATIONS: 750 colour photographs & diagrams