Seaman, Fiji Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, 1957.gif

Apart from its famous regiment, Fiji also provided its own maritime defence forces.

This Rating belongs to the Fijian branch of the Royal Navy’s reserve element, the RNVR.

He is clothed and equipped as for RNVR members throughout the Commonwealth of the time. His cap has a white cover and black tally band. The band has ‘Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve’ embroidered in gilt letters. On the left side is a black lace cockade.

His drill blouse has blue binding on the sleeve ends and a sailor’s blue jean collar at the neck. This collar is attached independently, worn open to almost the sternum, and has three white lines on the outer edges. Under it is worn a black neckerchief and white cords.

Underneath the blouse is worn a drill shirt with square collar opening, this being bound with blue tape.

Around the waist is a whitened webbing belt with brass fittings.

His trousers are gathered into whitened web anklets, again with brass fittings, worn with ankle boots.

On parade, he carries a SMLE rifle and bayonet.

Officers wore standard Royal Navy tropical dress.