Bombardier/Corporal - Job Description?

[dsquared]

Researching my grandfather who was promoted from Bombardier to Corporal in the RFA, 1st Divisional Ammunition Column (I think 187th Brigade). He was an "old contemptible" and eventually was transferred to the "reserves" designated unfit for further duty due to DAH. I am trying to understand what his life would have been like during these years.

Would anyone know:

1 What would a Bombardier's role have been?

2. What were a Corporal's responsibilities in this role?

3. How do you pronounce bombardier - is it bomb-bar-di-er or bomb-a-deer?

Thanks for your help.

Donna

[daggers]

bom-ba-deer!

[dsquared]

bom-ba-deer!

Thank you!

[River97]

Donna,

There was a thread many moons ago with some info that may assist. Here.

Cheers Andy.

[dsquared]

Donna,

There was a thread many moons ago with some info that may assist. Here.

Cheers Andy.

So a Bombadier was more a rank rather than a job. Just like in cricket the captain can be a bowler, a batsman, wicket keeper, etc.

Thanks Andy.

Donna

[rksimpson]

Hi

Sorry, but I thought that Bombardier was an equivalent rank to Corporal, but an RA term?

regards

Robert

Oops should have read the link first, I am going from WW2 knowledge!!!

[Muerrisch]

not then, but it is now.

The artillery and the RE had an extra R A N K [not an appointment] compared with the rest of the army.

The badge was a single chevron. In the RA he was a bombardier, in the RE a 2nd-corporal.

In the rest of the army, the single chevron was an A P P O I N T M E N T, lance-corporal, for a private and equivalent.

This held good throughout our period.

Bombardiers and corporals were often gun-team [horse] commanders, and gun detachment number twos, below a full sergeant.