ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Wars and ConflictsΒ  permalink

Beards in the British Navy

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by (( sean )) Free Nordmann (U2053581) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  i understand that British sailors have been allowed beards since 1869, that β€œPermission to Grow, Sir” the traditional form of request for permission to be granted whereupon a β€˜full set’ had to be grown within an alotted time period...but what was the time period...i've read that it is a week in the present day United States Navy...and have been told that it was a week for the British...or the sailor had to shave off what he had. could somebody confirm this, and tell me if this has always been so since the 19th Century?

  Link to this forum: Beards in the British Navy

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Stepney Boy (U1760040) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  Ahoy hoi_polloi,
  
  Speaking as an old sea dog (RN) you are correct about how to go about growing a 'full set' by 'discontinue shaving' but I was not aware of any time limit rather a minimum 'thickness' bum fluff did not count. Also it had to be a full set, no goaties and tashes.
  
  Sippers on you!
  Spike

  Link to this forum: Beards in the British Navy

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by (( sean )) Free Nordmann (U2053581) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  thanks spike...
  
  i'll take yours as the authorative answer...
  the way i was first told it - it was a 'minimum thickness' within a proscribed time frame(which indeed discluded men who could only grow bum fluff in that time). i've googled for it but, ofcourse then there isn't mention of a time frame conected with the Royal Navy and i'm kinda disapointed.
  
  best wishes

  Link to this forum: Beards in the British Navy

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Turnwrest (U2188092) on Monday, 7th November 2005

  In my time, the decision was down to the man's D.O. who would have a quiet word with the killick of the mess and point out that the set in question looked scruffy (beards were required to look neat and be kept properly trimmed). If that didn't work, the man would find himself hauled up at defaulters for his apperance. The whole "asking for permission" bit arose to stop a man claiming he was growing a beard when in fact he'd simply omitted to shave. Beards are less popular in today's Navy, AIUI. That's probably because a respirator doesn't fit well over a beard and is d***d uncomfortable - plus a legacy of the Falklands, where men spent long hours in AGRs because of the toxic smoke which was given off on board several vessels after they were hit by bombs and missiles.

  Link to this forum: Beards in the British Navy

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Monday, 7th November 2005

  Good Morning Sean,
  When was the last time you saw an American sailor with a beard ?
  
  Cheers.

  Link to this forum: Beards in the British Navy

  Report message5

Back to top