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Remembered Today:

Rank abbreviation


BillyH

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Just a quickie!

What would be the correct abbreviation of a Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant   -   eg  123 RQMS John Smith ?

 

BillyH.

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Hello BillyH

 

QMS would be correct, especially in the earlier part of the war. The appointment of CQMS in the infantry was held by men with the actual rank of Colour Serjeant (C/Sjt). RQMS was strictly an appointment although the distinction has become blurred over time.

 

(Actually, you could argue that the correct abbreviation should be WO II, his rank from early 1915 onwards.)

 

Ron

Edited by Ron Clifton
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Just to support Ron, it was QMS until 1915.  After that date it eventually settled to be the appointment of RQMS (with the rank of WOII as stated) so that it would be standardised across the Army (at that level), apart from in the Household cavalry regiments who use the word Corporal in place of Sergeant.  How quickly usage actually changed probably varied according to the theatre and unit priorities.

 

N.B. The use of the term ‘Regimental’ did not exist in the infantry before 1915, as these positions were battalion specific so it must have taken a little time to be accepted.  It never has been in the Foot Guards, who to this day refer to ‘the Sergeant Major’ and never RSM.

Edited by FROGSMILE
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Thanks for all the helpful replies, much appreciated.

 

BillyH.

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1 hour ago, BillyH said:

Thanks for all the helpful replies, much appreciated.

 

BillyH.


Glad to help.  There was potentially one extra within an infantry battalion fulfilling the long-standing role of Orderly Room Clerk, who assisted the Adjutant with running the commanding officers administrative offices.  By WW1 his position had become rank-ranged in order to provide a progressive career, starting at Sergeant (ORC) and, if at the end of his career, he might be a WOII with the appointment of ORQMS (Orderly Room Quarter Master Sergeant).

Edited by FROGSMILE
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One aspect worth emphasising is that quartermaster sergeant was a RANK until May 1915, and men with that RANK were either appointed QMS in a battalion or appointed ORQMS.

The quartermaster sergeant rank was of great antiquity, being immediately junior to the sergeant major and senior to the colour sergeant. He was technically a Staff sergeant First Class.

The rank badge until May 1915 was 4 chevrons point up on forearm, and a man appointed QMS to the unit added an 8 point star above, whereas the ORQMS had no star.

 

When WO Class II was introduced in 1915 the unit QMS became one such, together with the CSMs of companies. He lost his distinctive badge and shared the crown badge with the CSMs. In 1918 he gained the wreath round the crown. From that time on the various rank and appointment badges have remained essentially unchanged.

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Just to show that it is the exception that makes the rule, I have a South African victory medal named to R.Q.M.S.  V. NAPIER.  WATERLOO VOLS.

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"Regimental quartermaster - sergeant" appears verbatim as a listed appointment in the May 1915 Army Order introducing Warrant Officer Class II rank.

 

In the 1918 revised badge list there is no specific mention; after a long list essentially of artificer WO IIs at QM level, there is "all other quartermaster sergeants".

 

The army has struggled with "rank" and "appointment" and "promotion" for ever and a day. Don't look for consistency, there is none.

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