Post WW2 R.N.X.S. Royal Naval Auxillary Service Mine Watchers Uniform Cap Badge

Description

R.N.X.S. (Royal Naval Auxillary Service) Mine Watchers cap insignia. Gilt badge with blue enamel and silvered centre, two lugs to the reverse in very good condition. Measures 50mm x 35mm.

The Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS) was formed in 1963 from the amalgamation of the Royal Naval Mine Watching Service(RNMWS) and the Admiralty Ferry Crews Association, in response to the nuclear threat to British ports. The service was disbanded on 31 March 1994 due to defence cuts. Most vessels from its fleet were transferred to the Royal Navy.

Men & women of the RNXS, or auxiliarymen as they were known (regardless of gender), were to be readily available to assist in the tasks of evacuating major ports and dispatching larger and faster merchant vessels overseas in case of an attack on the UK. Any remaining ships were to be dispersed to safe anchorages along the coasts or at nearby islands. For these purposes, the RNXS operated a small fleet of inshore vessels which were prefixed “XSV” for auxiliary service vessel. These were mainly surplus vessels converted from other duties, although 4 “P2000” tenders were custom built and are still in service, as commissioned warships as University Naval Unit vessels.