SUB RATINGS

[keithchristmas]

Hi,

Can someone help me identify the sub-ratings SG and GL III? Did these sub-rating qualify for a badge?

The Petty Officer concerned qualified for them on the same date. Are they perhaps different gunnery qualifications?

Is there a published list of all the possible sub-rating in use during WW1 period?

Keith

[joseph]

Keith,

SG is Seaman Gunner.

GLIII is Gunlayer 3rd Class

as a Seaman Gunner he would wear a Gun in the Horizontal with a Star above. Not sure about a published list.

Regards Charles

[keithchristmas]

Thanks Charles,

What job exactly would each of these sub-ratings involved?

I have heard of a qualified gunner. Where would this fit in?

Keith

[joseph]

Keith,

Having attained the Rank of Able Seaman he can get extra qualifications and pay he has chosen Gunner as a Seaman Gunner he will learn all the basics on gunnery and do courses to stay qualified. A Gunlayer is the local aimer, GLIII Cl would probable aim a 6 or 12 Pounder.

Seaman Gunner and Seaman Torpedo Man.-Able Seamen rated at sea and recommended for Seaman Gunner (S.G.) or Seaman Torpedo Man (S.T.) are, on paying off, to be sent to the gunnery and torpedo schools respectively to qualify as such.

2. About one-third of the Seamen who do not hold gunnery or torpedo ratings should be recommended to qualify as S.G., and about one-quarter to qualify as S.T., but these proportions are to be considered as a guide only.

3. Captains of sea-going ships will have the power of making acting S.G.'s and acting S.T.'s, but additional pay will only be allowed in the case of men actually filling a vacancy in the complement.

4. The examination for Acting S.G. is to be conducted by the Gunnery Lieutenant of the ship, or of another ship if no Lieutenant (G) is borne.

5. The examination for Acting S.T. is to be conducted by the Torpedo Lieutenant or Torpedo Gunner of the ship, or of another ship if no Lieutenant (T) or Gunner (T) is .borne.

6. Acting S.G.'s and Acting S.T.'s are, on paying off, to be sent to the gunnery and torpedo schools to qualify as S.G. and S.T.

Acting Gunnery and Torpedo Ratings.-As soon as practicable after being placed in commission with a full crew, every sea-going ship is to train and keep in hand a proportion of (unpaid) Acting Higher Gunnery ratings, both Seaman and Marine. The number of Acting Gunlayers 1st Class to be thus trained is to be 50 per cent. of the total number of confirmed ratings allowed in the complement, but this percentage may be increased to 100 at the discretion of the commanding officer. The numbers of Acting Gunlayers 2nd Class and Acting Gunlayers 3rd Class to be trained are not to exceed in each case 15 per cent. (but with a minimum of 1 of each class) of the total number of these confirmed ratings actually allowed in the complement.

2. The men to be trained are, as a rule, to be taken from those gunnery ratings in the complement next below the rating for which they are intended, but Gunlayers 3rd Class and Acting Gunlayers 3rd Class are eligible for training as Acting Gunlayers 1st Class provided that in the case of Seamen they have passed for Leading Seaman.

3. Men so trained are to be given a course of instruction with shooting apparatus at the guns for which they are being trained, and are also to carry out from these guns the following firings:

Men qualifying for Acting Gunlayer 1st Class.

100 rds. aiming rifle.

30 rds. sub-calibre.

Men qualifying for Acting Gunlayer 2nd Class.

100 rds. aiming rifle.

10 rds. sub-calibre.

10 rds. 4-in. to 7-5-in.

(reduced charge if available).

Men qualifying for Acting Gunlayer 3rd Class.

100 rds. aiming rifle.

20 rds. 12-pr. or 3-pr.

Hope that helps

Regards Charles

[keithchristmas]

Many thanks Charles.

This explains a great deal! Just one further thought on the subject, would the different levels of gun layers have had their own badges?

Keith

[joseph]

Keith

Gunlayer 3rd class crossed cannon,

Gunlayer 2nd class star above,

Gunlayer 1st class star above and below

Worn on the right arm.

Regards Charles

[keithchristmas]

Once again, many thanks Charles.

Would any one have any illustrations/pictures of the badges worn by either the SEAMAN GUNNER or the various level of GUNLAYER?

Thanks,

Keith

[joseph]

Keith,

The badge he would have worn would be the Gunlayers badge as this was the higher gunnery Rate.

Regards Charles

[per ardua per mare per terram]

The next step up was Gunner (a warrant rank in the navy), then Commissioned Gunner, Lieutenant etc if he was retained in the service and got the promotions. If he made Gunner a new officer's service record was started.

[joseph]

Per,

These are Non Substantive Rates, a Chief Petty Officer could wear the same badge as an Able Seaman. More to do with how capable a person was at his job than rank and structure.

Regards Charles