Naval Instructor

[NeilEvans]

Hello,

I've recently aquired this chaps death plaque.

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3052824

His rank is that of a Naval Instructor. It's a new one on me, is it unusual? What exactly does a Naval Instructor do?

Any advice gratefully recieved.

Neil

[auchonvillerssomme]

Looking at the qualifications of the other 6 men who are listed on CWGC of that rank, MA, Bsc, BA, I would think they were teachers.

[David B]

Naval instructor is a teacher, normally of commissioned rank and to distinguish them from seaman officers, wear blue between rank stripes.

[tipperary]

In his book HMS Tiger At Bay Victor Hayward as a boy sailor describes the instructor teaching them maths as "The Goes Into Bosun".john

[battiscombe]

Naval Schoolmasters - a warrant officer rank since the 19th century .. in 1861 a Commission was granted to Schoolmasters engaged in the instruction of naval officers in shore training establishments... who were renamed They were "Naval Instructors" - i believe, those serving on ships retained the "Schoolmaster" title (could be "Senior Master" and "Headmaster"). These titles remained in use until 1946 when all Schoolmasters were given Commissioned rank as Instructor Officers.... They also provided meteorologists in more recent times..

their RN Warrant Officer role (rather different from WOs in other services) is explained here http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Pers-Warrant%20Rank.htm

[simonharley]

If memory serves, Naval Instructors generally taught officers, and were themselves commissioned officers. Naval Schoolmasters were equivalent to chief petty officers and could rise higher, and generally taught ratings.

Simon

[auchonvillerssomme]

What rank abbreviation went on the medals? Many years ago I had a BWM to a RN School master and can't for the life of me find my notes on him.

[NeilEvans]

Thank you all for your responses.

Neil