Brian Wood – ‘Sausage on a stick’ rather than Dolphins

Well we didn’t have Dolphins at the time ‘cos they didn’t come in ‘till 1971 and of course I’d passed the Part 3 just at the end of ’65, but they used to wear a little badge which was called a ‘sausage on a stick’ on the left sleeve.

I only ever knew one bloke that ever sewed it on. It was a ridiculous thing, but you were accepted as Qualified Submariner so then you could get your submarine pay and everything else you see, which is a little bit extra.

Simon: So, was there a ceremony or anything or …?

Yeah, you go up for the Skipper if you’d … and he congratulated you and give you the old tot of rum and say, “Now you can go and draw your ‘sausage on a stick’ from the Stores.” Nobody ever did, and you were accepted then as part of the crew.