HMCS PROVIDER Badge

HMCS PROVIDER Badge

Blazon

Azure, an ancient Greek amphora garnished around the base of the neck with maple leaves, and on the main body of the vessel, a foul anchor erect all of gold.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

This badge depicts an ancient Greek amphora, an earthenware vessel used as a storage container and from which the stored items were dispensed into smaller ves­sels as required. The amphora suggests the ship's function of storing and dispensing supplies. The super­imposed maple leaves and foul anchor indicate the ship belongs to the Royal Canadian Navy. The golden colour of the amphora is representative of the yellowish colour of oil, a major item of PROVIDER's replenishment stores, and the dark blue background is generally known as navy blue.

Remarks

Provider (I) was a Fairmile class patrol boat supply ship. She was commissioned in December 1942, and was paid off in March 1946. Provider (II) was an Operational Support ship, and was commissioned in September 1963. She wore pennant 508 until being paid off in 1998.

Motto

Ready to Serve

Colours

Golden yellow and navy blue

References

Badges Of The Canadian Navy by Arbuckle, J. Graeme. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 1987.

CFP 267 - Badges of the Canadian Forces, Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1977.