RGA Ranks - NCOs

[Alan24]

I understood that the RGA used the term Bombardier in place of Corporal, however, I've seen reference to both in the MICs.

Which of these is the more senior or are they the same thing?

Also noted on the MICs that the rank Driver is rarely used, Gunner being used where I know some were Drivers.

Also, can someone give me the seniorority of Staff Sjt./BQMS/BSM/WO1/WO2.

Regards

Alan.

[mills-bomb]

Rank seniority;

S/sgt,

WO2 + BSM same rank, subject to unit lingo

BQMS

WO 1

[bill24chev]

Royal Arillery JNCO's WW1

Corporal

Bombardier (I beleive a paid rank equivilent to LCplin infantery, ASC etc and 2nd orporal in Royal Engineers)

Acting Bomnardier (unpaid equal to Lcpl)

From 1920 rank of Cpl abolished Bombardier became = Corporal and Lance Bombardier = LCpl.

Driver and Gunner were both equivelent to Pte in other corps/regiments. I am not sure but Driver may have been used only RHA & RFA, by definition the RGA did not move around although we know they did and the sixtypounder definatly used a team of horses.Post WW1 rank of Driver exclusivly used for RASC.

[kildaremark]

Bombardier - 1 stripe

Corporal - 2 stripes

Sergeant - 3 stripes

The rank of Corporal existed until at least 1920 when, I believe, it was abolished.

RGA wouldnt need as many drivers considering the size of the guns which required trucks, trains and tractors in many cases to pull them which might also involve Army Service Corps. Some RGA batteries were, of course horsedrawn but nothing like the RFA where the guns were lighter.

Mark

[kevinrowlinson]

Alan,

It depends on the date, but briefly;

Up to Nov 1917

Gunner-rank

Acting Bombardier (paid or unpaid)- lance appointment-1 stripe

Bombardier- rank - 1 stripe (an additional rank to infantry)

Corporal- rank - 2 stripes

After Dec 1917

The same except Acting Bombardier changed its name to Lance-Bombardier.

After May 1920

Bombardier raised in rank to replace Corporal. Those men holding rank of Corporal before May became Lance-Sgt.

Before Feb 1915

Sgt level V

Staff Sgt level IV

BQMS level IV

BSM level IV

QMS level III

Master Gunner, 3rd Class level 1

WO

After Feb 1915

WO II introduced to include Master Gunner 3rd class and BSM

Kevin