WW2 Canadian RCN Navy Layer Rating 2nd Class Trade Patch

The WW2 Canadian RCN Navy Layer Rating 2nd Class Trade Patch is an original cloth insignia used by the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. This patch signified the wearer’s qualification as a Layer, responsible for targeting and operating the gun’s elevation mechanism aboard naval vessels. The 2nd Class designation represented an intermediate level of proficiency within the naval gunnery trade. The patch is typically constructed from dark blue wool with embroidered insignia—often featuring crossed cannons and a star or similar symbolism to denote the specific trade and class. Worn on the uniform sleeve, this insignia aided in the identification of specialized skills among crew members. Trade badges such as this were an integral component of RCN uniform regulations, reflecting both the technical roles essential to naval operations and the structured hierarchy of wartime ranks and ratings. This artifact provides tangible evidence of the skills and organization present in the Canadian naval forces during World War II.