Teabag got me thinking of this.

I knew a guy who worked in the stores in 20 Bde as the SQMS I think who claimed his Rank was WOIII, He was from a lancer or Cavalry regiment.

Well I found this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troop_Sergeant_Major

Oh and erm..... why does it say I'men ligne and not on line? have we been taken over by the French, or is this just signifying I'm off to France next week



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Thanks Jim..That answers my question

During WWII the rank of WOIII wore the 'Large Crown' while WOII's wore the 'Crown in Wreath'

The WOIII rank was put into abayance in 1945 by which time there was no one left holding the rank.

In 1947 the 'Large Crown' was adapted by WOII CSM/SSM's while the 'Crown in Wreath' continued to be worn by RQMS's etc. as it is today.

I can remember seeing Part One Orders with it still spelt with the J in the '70's.

Which regiment could give the loyal; toast sitting down? anyone. I believe the Navy do.

Another wierd one has just come to mind. Apparently in a Guards WOs & Sgts Mess, if you didn't want to speak to anyone, or anyone to speak to you you wore your hat at the meal table.

In the Sigs you weren't allowed to wear any headgear in the Mess at all.

Mike

The RA & RAOC had the rank of Lance-Serjeant, which was an appointment originally given to technicly qualified Corporals selected for promotion to Sargeant to a set limit in any one unit (by seniority) they were intitled to use the mess and wear mess dress if they wished. It was abolished in the RA & RAOC in 1946.

Only the Brigade of Guards still use it, but for all Corporals on promotion.

Upto 1920 the RE & RAOC also had 'Second Corporals' who were technicly qualified Paid Lance Corporals, Unlike a Lance-Corporal, a Bombardier held full non-commissioned rank and not an acting appointment. later to be replaced by 'Substansive' L/Cpl

* 'Technicly Qualified' meant the ranks were not open to 'General Dutymen'

Originally also until 1920, the RA had Corporals (but not Lance-Corporals) and a Bombardier was junior to a Corporal and wore a single chevron. The rank was equivalent to Second Corporal in the RE and RAOC. In 1920, Corporals were abolished in the RA and Bombardiers became the equivalent and acquired the normal two chevrons.

And I will not even go into Conductors RAOC , Staff Sargeant Majors, First Class RASC or WO1 Master Gunners RA! [Royal Coat of Arms in Wreath]

i remember when i first joined my regt [15/19H]from training1967 saturday morning was worked as part of the week,every 4th saturday was RSMs drill parade,after the usual warm up drill the RSM bellowed all sgt majors to me,i wondered wher all the S/SGTs were going,any way this was the stuff you did not learn in training you had to grab somebody to hopefully teach you.

In the Light Infantry "Sergeant: is spelt with a "J".
In the Guards a full Corporal is designated a Lance Sergeant, and entitled to use the Sgts Mess. Full Corporals of Attached personnel such as REME,were accorded the rank of Lance Sergeant,and all its privileges,after maybe 6 months with the unit.
We were in the Naafi one day,and a Tels Tech Full Corporal was asked by the duty NCO ,a Lance Sergeant to remove his head dress.He complied, but after some advice from his barrack room lawyer mates, he put his beret back on. The L/Sgt came back and bollocked him for that. The Tech asked him to take a f***** hike.The L/Sgt was furious and charged the Corporal. Befoerthe case git to the OC, the CSM called up the L/Sgt and advised him to apologise to the Corporal,as he was senior to him.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards also remain seated during the loyal toast. I think that I'm correct in saying that they compound the insult by carrying on conversing throughout the toast.

A tradition they inherited from the Royal Scots Greys, a constituent regiment.

Various theories abound.

i) They were excused standing by George III who was normally too ill/pissed to stand himself.

ii) Their loyalty was not in question.

iii) They couldn't be arsed.

iv) They were Communists